Climate change is very complex (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Climate change is very complex

IF I may address the writer's criticisms (letters June 18) apropos the emotive issue of COs andCH4 emissions.

a) Developing nations such as China and India were absolved from CO2 emission controls because they simply would not submit to them, a fact the Americans were well aware of.

b) Britain and other nations (US, Japan, France, Russia, India, Iran, Israel, Sweden, Finland, Taiwan) realise new generation nuclear power is now the only way to meet our energy requirements and reduce so-called greenhouse gas emissions.

c) The fact is, nobody is sure of the effects of global warming. Ice ages are controlled by cycles in the orbit and orientation of the earth. Astronomers believe we live in an unusually prolonged interglacial period, caused by the activity of humans since the dawn of history.

d) The sun is brighter now than at any time for 100-150 years, its increasing radiation may well be responsible for recent climate change.

e) According to Prof Philip Stott, emeritus Professor of Biogeography, University of London even if we shut every fossil-fuel power station, crushed every car and grounded every aircraft, the earth's climate would continue to get warmer.

f) Finally and long overdue, for my response to the congenial, charming and non-confrontational Nan Pratt over the recent wind turbine issue. I apologise.

My rudeness was unwarranted.

J P HUNTER

Shaw

Swindon