Letters: Keep a cool head amid the climate change hot air

LIKE Robert Dow, I too am concerned about the diktats coming from the "climate change" lobby and the consequences for us if we fail to adhere to them (Letters, 30 June).

However, just because the Scottish intervention will have a minor impact on the climate, although it seems wildly and ludicrously ambitious, is no reason not to do anything. By taking action we would hope others would follow.

Alleged human-caused climate change is little more than a moral panic, promoted by greens and other politicians fearful for the consequences to them if they aren't seen to support the premise.

They are aided and abetted by the huge scientific and commercial economic interests feeding off the fear generated by this moral panic.

CO2 is a naturally occurring gas. It is processed by the planet's natural resources. Our task is to help the process by promoting those natural resources.

We should be planting trees, not cutting them down; processing output from carbon burning power stations; bringing forth non-carbon propulsion technology now. Does anyone doubt that the interests of the petro-chemical companies are being protected?

But, most importantly we should be using the planning process to encourage fewer car journeys to work, fewer school runs, real investment in our railways to compete with the ever expanding budget aviation industry.

We could afford this by binning Trident as well as the ludicrous ID card scheme – it's just a question of priorities.

My wish list would include reopening the Waverley line and developing the Borders in its own right and as Edinburgh's hinterland; reopening every part of the old suburban rail lines, perhaps even with a light railway, which would develop all areas of our city; and off-road lines, whether tram or light railway, serving all the satellite towns around the city.

But first and foremost, we should be looking at these issues from a cool head perspective, not based on the irrational fear promulgated by the vested interests in the "climate change" lobby.
Jim Taylor, The Murrays Brae, Edinburgh

Tram gain will be worth all the pain
I AM getting increasingly amazed by the hysterical rants from SNP politicians over the progress of Edinburgh's trams.

As a frequent visitor to the city, it is clear that the coming tram system are absolutely vital for getting around.

Yet it seems to me that SNP politicians are trying desperately hard to climb on any temporary bandwagon in opposing public transport schemes.

You can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs, so it is worth suffering some pain now in return for gain later. The trams will help Edinburgh become a fully operational European city again.

I look forward to using the trams when that day arrives.
Ian Jenkins, Wolverhampton (A city with trams!)

Watch for changes to the Scotland Act
IT seems likely that in the near future either the current UK Labour Government or a future Conservative version will re-open the Scotland Act, ostensibly to implement the proposals of the Calman commission.

Calman proposes some minor changes removing powers from Scotland to Britain despite the opposition of our elected SNP Government.

No doubt this will also come to include those tricky powers over planning permission which our Government is currently using to block Westminster's planned nuclear energy policy.

I think we should be very wary of allowing any changes in the Scotland Act. This chimera of an unusable ten pence rate of tax to replace our unusable three pence rate of tax is entirely worthless and is simply not worth any new legislation.
Joe Middleton, Wardieburn Place South, Edinburgh

Health matters more than war
WHY is it that the NHS is under threat from lack of money while there is no shortage of funding for war?

The world spends trillions on war and nuclear "deterrents", while in many nations people starve and die from want of food, medicine and shelter. Is this the best mankind is capable of?

Our global economy, based as it is on profit, manufactures death. It must change. Health is more important than war.
Trevor Swistchew, Victor Park Terrace, Edinburgh

Bin men's pay needs tidied
WHILE I see no justification in a payment of bonuses to bin men, there is also no justification in slashing wages (News, 27 June).

It does not surprise me that the bin men have chosen to work to rule.

If the job cannot be done in the hours that are allotted, there is a lack of training and support going on.

If the job is not achievable without extra hours or bonuses, then it is not being delivered at its true cost or rate.

The bin men should be being paid a proper rate of pay, and the job should be being done properly without any hidden cost.

This is comparable to the fact that services are being cut when those that are basic are not even being done.
Steven Tummons, Oxgangs Crescent, Edinburgh