Climate clots

The claimed insufficiency of the more than half a billion pounds to be spent this year by Scotland to tackle climate change puts into perspective fears about the clearly inadequate funding of repairs and maintenance of Edinburgh schools, libraries etc – there is a £153 million backlog of repairs – and Stirling’s feared cultural collapse by a defecit of less than £1 million.

The unstated costs of alleviating the poverty of more than 50 per cent of Glasgow children reported in The Scotsman should also be recalled.

Scotland’s trivial greenhouse gas emissions, at less than 1 per cent of the world’s output, restrict our ability to influence the climate to a futile gesture, especially without the participation of the main Co2-emitting nations, the US, China and India.

The Scottish Government’s attempts to differentiate us from the nations down South could be usefully endorsed by admitting that our policy of joining in the campaigns to prevent adverse climate changes is futile, and that the resources must be transferred to relevant causes. How about that, First Minister?

(DR) CHARLES WARDROP Viewlands Road West, Perth