Writer is relying on feelings, not facts

Andy Carr (Letters, November 24) describes Extinction Rebellion as “far left extremist organisation” which is promoting a “dogmatic ideology”, and who try to “cancel” anyone who disagrees with them. I wonder if Mr Carr is unwittingly revealing more about his own dogmatism, extremism and intolerance? It certainly seems to be a trait of many modern Conservatives to brand anyone and everyone as “hard left”, “extremist” or “woke” if they have a slightly different opinion or point of view, and thereby discredit or silence them, and close down discussion – the “cancel culture” that Mr Carr complains about.

Having hurled insults at environmental campaigners, Mr Carr claims that “there is no climate emergency, the world is not on fire or drowning”. I suppose he has not watched the news in recent years, and is totally unaware of the increasing number of devastating forest fires in Australia, California, and closer to home in many parts of Europe, or the floods and rising sea levels which are occurring around the world, along with droughts which not only destroy lives, but affect food production and prices. There were even fires in East London this summer, which destroyed houses, when the temperature reached 40C for the first time ever in Britain.

Perhaps Mr Carr thinks that he knows better than trained and experienced scientists and climatologists – who needs experts when we can rely on emotions rather than evidence, and feelings rather than facts? Let’s carry on living in blissful ignorance.

Pete Dorey

Bath