Cutting fossil fuel use will cause catastrophe

Everyone has an interest in the capital’s trains running well

By mocking rail commuters for complaining about the poor service we experience daily, Bill Moss (To The Point, March 31) misses the rather obvious point. Train services are a major concern for people living north of the railway station, but they are also an issue for Wellingtonians who can walk or bus to work each day.

Why? Because they, too, paid (and are paying) for this sub-par service. We’re all in this slowmoving mess together.

I’d be pleased to host Mr Moss for a week and see how he changes his tune. I’ll even let him use my blood pressure meds. He’ll need them after a few days of train commuting. KEN CARSON

Titahi Bay

Fixing this should be a priority for regional transport funding as it would revolutionise regional travel patterns. DAVID BOND

Ngaio George Preddey (Letters, April 3) continues to beat the drum of climate change hysteria.

The ‘‘eminent scientists’’ (many of whom have dubious scientific qualifications) of Durban who proclaim the global warming ‘‘tipping point’’ will be reached by 2050 rely on extreme figures. Even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is revising down such figures.

Responsible scientists predict a rise of 1 to 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. Humanity and Earth can easily cope with this.

If we cut back dramatically on cheap fossil fuels the world will suffer catastrophic consequences. Cutting back CO levels will result in less food, condemning millions to starve. Using land to grow maize and sugar cane for biofuels means huge areas no longer devoted to growing food. This is already happening in the United States and Brazil.

Coal burning stations produce electricity that costs less than half that from alternative means. With advancing technology, they are doing so with less and less pollution. CO isn’t a pollutant. Without it, electricity costs will rise dramatically, well beyond the means of impoverished people.

Is Dr Preddey advocating such measures? ROB JULIAN Johnsonville