‘Heated’ debate

As always, Ian Moir brings a real accounting analysis and prospect to the vexed field of attempts at offsetting adverse climate changes (Letters, 23

December). I am appalled at the authorities’ scientific and financial analyses of anthropogenicglobal warming, especially in the UK, but worldwide also.

Realistically, the UK, with a negligible greenhouse gas output, need not participate in decarbonisation, a costly, damaging prospect. The great

bulk of CO2 being released by nations non-compliant in carbon curbing, our trivial output of greenhouse gases could be ignored, even by enthusiasts for the hypothetical basis of global warming. Anyway, there is no proof of any climate benefit from the drastic means proposed to achieve decarbonisation.

One hopes that the new Westminster government will start to see their climate programme in a more realistic financial and scientific light and repeal the Climate Change Acts (2008,9) which bid foul to ruin us – all for nothing.

Clearly, the authorities urgently need the advice of Ian Moir and of scientists with some common sense!

(DR) CHARLES WARDROP Viewlands Road West, Perth

A girl opening a box of Christmas cards to find a cry for help written on a card packed by a prisoner in a Chinese jail is hardly an advert for Tesco sales or for those charities which are getting their cards produced in China.

We go on about climate change, yet this was an example of Christmas cards of all things being flown in or shipped over from the other side of the world with all the carbon footprints involved to bring anything but Christmas cheer!

JIM CRAIGEN Downie Grove, Edinburgh

For years we have been warned about how important it is to reduce atmospheric CO2 and improve air quality. From slowing down cargo ships upon which the nation depends to forcing the public to buy costly runabouts powered by batteries instead of less expensive cars powered by petrol and diesel, there is no area untouched by the climate zealots. Except one. Fireworks displays.

At the end of the year, worldwide, thousands of tons of toxic fireworks will be hurled into the night sky increasing CO2 and diminishing air quality through particulate pollution. Why is this? Why are the numerous well-funded green groups silent on this issue? Why is it that the SNP Government, which claims to be a world leader in tackling climate change, is silent on this issue?

Scotland would indeed be a world leader if it were to be the first country to stop mass

firework displays by the end of 2020.

WILLIAM LONESKIE Justice Park, Oxton, Lauder