During discussion on a Ministry for the Environment report about climate change, Crs Allan Birchfield of Greymouth and Neal Clementson of Westport asked that their sentiments be recorded. Both are involved in coalmining.
Cr Birchfield said he did not accept that the world was warming.
"We are going into a cool period. England is going through its coldest winter in 50 years. Moscow is about frozen at the moment."
Most carbon -- 93% -- came from nature and there was no proof it was having any affect on climate, he said.
"You are preaching to the converted," Cr Clementson said to Cr Birchfield.
"I have serious questions. I can't see how the sea level can rise 22cm somewhere and not in other places."
Other councillors were silent on the issue.
Eight hours later, the Grey District Council discussed whether to sign up to the Local Government NZ Climate Change Declaration.
This time no one denied the reality of global warming.
However, there was unease about what it meant for fossil fuels.
"I'm concerned we could sign up for something we don't know enough about," Cr Cliff Sandrey said.
"Climate change is real," Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said. "If we don't accept it's happening, we are going to get out of step."
Cr Peter Haddock agreed climate change needed to be addressed, but he also wanted more information.
The council agreed to sign the declaration but said it wanted further consultation on a reduction to fossil fuels.
