Flash in the pan

Scientists from Edinburgh, Leeds and Lancaster have calculated that lightning flashes from storm clouds are likely to be 15 per cent lower by the end of this century from the current estimated 1.4 billion each year around the world (your report, 13 February)

Wow, that information should benefit mankind!

To secure ongoing funding scientists must mention greenhouse gases and climate change in their reports.

This is just the latest report from those with vested interests in ensuring that climate change issues continue to receive funding and thus secure their jobs, salaries and pensions.

Past prophecies of doom have not happened to the timescales, so now these events have been pushed into the far distant future.

Those who benefit financially from the climate change gravy train will not be around when their climate research, based on flawed computer models, is disproved.

There should, however, be research into the costs of the thousands of climate research papers and, more importantly, the vast sums of money spent by the Scottish and UK governments on climate change and the significant grants given to companies with renewables in their name, the majority of whom fail.

CLARK CROSS Springfield Road, Linlithgow