Sir, Regarding ‘EU light bulb ban attacked from all sides as phase-out starts‘: There is a great deal of hot air being generated in what passes for the ‘debate’ on more efficient lighting. A couple of stats would be helpful. In a home that is heated by oil or gas (and has no air conditioning), [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘UK looks to France for fighting online piracy‘: The UK government should be applauded for its proposal to take a tougher stance on illegal downloading. Emulating the French government’s recent initiative, it sends a clear signal that decisive action is needed to uphold the rights of creative artists. Protecting the rights of artists [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Blair: Climate efforts no reason to give up cars‘: It would seem that Mr Blair is not only an expert on weapons of mass destruction (their ownership or lack thereof) but also energy policy, transport policy and indeed, climate change in general. In the case of cars, there is nothing inevitable about rising [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Intelligent transport raises privacy concerns‘: Address the root cause of congestion and you resolve the problems. It is not the number of vehicles on the roads: it is whether they can transit from point A to point B and to do so without stopping. How much would you save if every trip around [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Risk consultant: EU R&D hostage of ‘eco-religious fundamentalism’‘: Recycling is no more ritualistic than washing your hands after you go to the bathroom or making sure your smoke alarm has a battery – i.e. it has a clear purpose. If the language on climate change is apocalyptic, it is because the situation is [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘UN shipping body agrees to CO2-cutting proposals‘: Action by the IMO on shipping emissions has been (and I’m being charitable now) slow. However, it is quite possible that, post-Copenhagen, shipping will be pulled into ETS in much the same way as aviation was. In November 2007, [European Commission Vice-President Margot] Wallström said both shipping [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Risk consultant: EU R&D hostage of ‘eco-religious fundamentalism’‘ I just came across the interview with Mr. Zaruk, and must say that I was appalled and scared when reading his views. But on the other side, he only expresses himself as what he is, a former lobbyist of the chemical industry more interested probably in pushing [...]

Sir, Regarding ‘Organic farmers look to R&D to boost yields, save planet‘: We support products branded organic as a market choice by supplying the pesticides used in their production. However, we feel it is necessary to dispel the myths and false perceptions that surround organic in its opposition to the scientific agricultural practices which are [...]