Letter: Global warming sparks a heated debate
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Gregg Easterbrook (7 August) accuses environmentalists of exaggerating global environmental threats in order to influence public opinion and decision-makers. He then quotes evidence supporting his case and fails to consider the balance of scientific opinion that does not - precisely the behaviour that enrages him when exhibited by the environmental lobby.
There is remarkable scientific agreement that greenhouse warming will occur. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, involving more than 300 leading scientists, concluded that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases are increasing substantially and that an estimated rate of warming between 0.2-0.5 C per decade is likely. The magnitude of the impacts of climate change is still speculative but this does not mean we should wait for them to happen before acting. They are likely to include reductions in food production, water supplies and increases in some vector-borne diseases. The Third World will probably suffer disproportionately.
It is incorrect to say expenditure on 'hypothetical ecological concerns' has prevented aid to reduce child deaths in the Third World. International indifference to the plight of impoverished children antedated the rise of environmentalism. In any case, the sums spent on overseas development and environmental protection pale into insignificance compared with annual military expenditure of around pounds 500bn world-wide.
Those who exaggerate environmental threats risk numbing public opinion by 'crying wolf'. Those who understate the dangers and do not advocate precautionary measures risk sabotaging the already inadequate attempts to minimise global warming.
Yours faithfully,
ANDREW HAINES
Vice-President
Medical Action for
Global Security
London, N19
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments