Carbon pollution killing 4,000 Scots every year

Sir, – Charles Wardrop has a track record of letters to the press espousing a number of “climate denying” issues. I expect the readers of your newspaper will not be fooled by this latest piece.

I am moved to write, as a physician, regarding one of the most important issues, supporting rapid and full decarbonisation completely ignored by this writer.

Decarbonisation is a crucial tool against the climate crisis, but it is also a crucial factor in preventing air pollution, a silent preventable killer causing more than 4,000 Scots’ deaths every year.

In addition to the cost to the patient, it costs Scotland about £2 billion a year in health care, benefits and work days lost. Air pollution kills more people than obesity and is the second highest cause of lung cancer after smoking.

In Scotland the majority of pollutants come from transport emissions (37%) which decarbonisation would remove at a stroke.

Decarbonisation of our roads is a major health imperative. Further household decarbonisation would remove gas stoves and boilers, both of which are most potent and poisonous causes of “inside” air pollution.

Scottish research shows smaller baby heads, the loss of about one standard grade, poor child lung growth, asthma, stroke, heart attack and dementia in areas of high ‘carbonisation’. Hospital admissions for adults and children are increased.

So please, readers, do not be fooled by Dr Wardrop, rather take note of an evidence-based article titled Every Breath We Take by the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Paediatricians who conclude by saying: “When our patients are exposed to such a clear and avoidable cause of death, illness and disability, it is our duty as doctors to speak out.”

Do not listen to Dr Wardrop, for both our health and climate’s sake.

Jill Belch.

Highfield Road,

Scone.