We can’t afford to waste any more time in halting the rise in C02 levels

Church of Scotland must try to improve methods of communication

BY suggesting the continuing rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide, to the climatically dangerous level of 391.07 parts per million by volume, calls into question the development of wind farms around theworld, Bob Hamilton is being disingenuous (Letters, October 24).

Given the global population continues to rise at 77 million per year; thirdworld countries are racing to achieve firstworld levels of carbon emissions; fossil fuel industries insist on ravaging the globe to extract the last remnants of gas, oil and coal, by fracking for shale gas, by gouging vast areas of land for tar sands, and by mountaintop removal to speed the extraction of coal, to name but a fewexamples, the piecemeal slowdevelopment of renewable sources of energy is, by comparison, little more than a pin prick in the inexorable growth in energy usage based on fossil fuels. The effect of their introduction is merely to marginally slowfossil fuel combustion and this situation is programmed to persist into the foreseeable future.

Until the transition away from fossil fuels is considered to be too important to be left to the market, a serious deceleration in the rise in atmospheric CO2 is unlikely to happen until it is far too late. Alan J Sangster, 37 Craigmont Terrace, Edinburgh. HOWEVERwell meaning the little acorns analogy as made by IanWThomson, Iwould suggest time is of the essence in arresting the drift within the Church of Scotland (Letters, October 25).

Fair criticism has been levelled at the archaic procedures and poor methods of communication with members.

However, communication is a two-way medium. It is essential all participants contribute.

Personal experience of both presbytery and session courts of the church have revealed a reluctance of lay members speaking out on matters relating to current affairs and issues affecting our national church at this time.

Assuredly little acorns have their place but unless the opinions of existing members are inclusively sought, the outlook is bleak for both the Church of Scotland and more alarmingly the church in Scotland. Allan C Steele, 22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.