Setting examples

Charles Wardrop calls for a reduction in spending, including repeal of the Climate Change Acts. He describes this as an ‘ineffective’ attempt to influence the climate by decarbonisation so as to curtail industrial CO2 output (Letter, 28 June).

I agree that, because the UK’S output of CO2 is trivial compared with global emissions, our attempts to change the climate are almost ‘ineffective’. Nevertheless one can argue that by trying to do so, the UK sets an example to those countries that do have the ability to make a difference (US and China in particular). The UK could not call for others to act when we do not act ourselves.

However,wecouldsavemoney in other ways, for example by ceasing to subsidise and support various renewable energy methods, especially wind farms. Most renewable methods are unnecessary and largely ineffective in reducing CO2 emissions. They are also costly and visually intrusive, spoiling the environment.

Reducing CO2 emission requires mainly the decarbonisation of electricity generation (replacing burning coal and gas with nuclear fuels); replacing diesel and petrol by hydrogen for road and rail transport and replacing methane by hydrogen in piped gas supplies for heating buildings. STEUART CAMPBELL Dovecot Loan, Edinburgh