Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – I was taken aback to read Jenny Hjul’s article (June 20) criticising Prince Charles for warning about the environmental crisis. It is irresponsible to write such an ill-informed piece.
Ms Hjul evidently knows that there’s a global conference about the environment being held in Rio de Janeiro, but isn’t aware that it is focused on a range of environmental issues and not just global warming.
She claims that ”sensible science” on global warming blames solar activity rather than man-made CO2.
In fact, the vast majority of scientists know we are on a self-destructive path with the planet’s life-support systems getting close to breakdown and have persuaded their governments more needs to be done to change course; restricting consumption of the earth’s resources, protecting biodiversity and limiting damaging carbon emissions.
Leaders of over 150 countries would not be going to Rio if they didn’t recognise the need for action. Likewise, the Scottish Government would not be aiming for 100% of our electricity to come from renewables by 2020; the UK Government would not be setting up a Green Investment Bank and the Green Deal scheme; and the EU would not be giving such a high priority to the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe.
The big problem (as Scottish Government representatives have admitted) is that we, the public, are not ready to make the kind of changes in our lifestyle that are necessary. Politicians can only go a certain distance ahead of public opinion in a democratic society.
Andrew Llanwarne.Co-ordinator, Friends of the Earth Tayside,8 Glasclune Way,Broughty Ferry.
Would they treat others in this manner?
Sir, – A wee question for our First Minister and Dundee City Council. What happened to our national motto which, I believe, translates roughly into: ”Wha daur meddle wi’ me?”
Would they treat the Pope or the Archbishop of Canterbury in the same shameful manner as they have done the Dalai Lama? I think not.
It seems as though we have been ”meddled wi’ ” and so I would hazard a guess that the Chinese have a sight less respect for those who ”rolled over” to their demands than they otherwise would have, had they stood their ground.
I also think that Mr Salmond’s stature, even among supporters, is bound to have taken a knock.
As for Dundee City Council: City of Culture? Hypocrites.
G Stewart.Springbank, Clayholes,By Carnoustie.
Reflects badly on the city
Sir, – The SNP claim to be fighting (within a democracy) for the freedom of a small country to enter upon the choppy waters of a turbulent world on its own, yet refuse to meet or support the representative of another small country which can only dream of democracy, for fear of upsetting a much bigger country.
These ”bravehearts” ought to have displayed solidarity with a genuinely oppressed people, rather than meekly kowtow in this craven manner. If the Lord Provost cannot make it, then why not his deputy, or others?
We can see that under the SNP Edinburgh does what it is told by China and Dundee does what it is told by Edinburgh might, not right a terrible and, I think, unfair reflection on Dundee.
Craig Duncan.Gardyne Place,Dundee.
Doesn”t bode well for future
Sir, – Surely if the head of Dundee council, for personal reasons, cannot welcome the Dalai Lama to his city, he has a deputy who can?
If Aung San Suu Kyi (a political figure in Burma) can be welcomed to the United Kingdom, surely the Dalai Lama (a religious person representing Tibetan Buddhism, who is respected throughout the world, except China, as a pacifist) should be awarded the same treatment, in Scotland? In one of our own cities?
What does this disgraceful behaviour by Dundee City Council bode for the future of an independent Scotland? There are those who complain about the UK ”dancing” to the tune of the USA.
Will an independent Scotland ”dance” to the tune of China?
A T Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Glenrothes.
A difficult and complex issue
Sir, – It would be interesting to know the details of the Dundee City Council’s meeting with the Consul-General of China.
I personally find it difficult to believe China might withhold investment in the area if the council was seen to become too close to the spiritual leader. But I think we are entitled to know the truth about the matter.
Dundee has no quarrel that I know of with the Nobel Peace Prize winner. Provost Bob Duncan may have family commitments, but were they so important he could not accord him an appropriate civic welcome as was offered to the Chinese government itself?
It is easy to be trite about these matters but the jobs of many Dundee employees might depend on a contract from China. A suggestion they might be put at risk because that country’s regime did not like any contact with the Tibetan leader poses an awful dilemma.
The whole question of human rights becomes an abstract and very complex matter when people’s livelihoods and incomes are at stake. Politicians should not be overly judgmental on this difficult issue.
Bob Taylor.24 Shiel Court,Glenrothes.
The thin end of the wedge
Sir, – Your report of a Fife councillor dismissing an objection by Perth and Kinross Council to three giant turbines on Lindores Hill on the grounds that they won’t make much difference as ”the hills of Perth and Kinross are covered with wind turbines and huge electricity pylons”, will not just have upset our neighbours in Perthshire.
Such thinking lies behind the ineluctable spread of industrial turbines and associated infrastructure across the Scottish countryside.
It’s also why the prospect of one or two turbines in their locality fills people with terror. They know it’s the thin end of the wedge.
Linda Holt.Dreel House, Anstruther.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.