Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, With reference to your report about August being very wet (August 12), it is very unlikely that global warming will cause increased extreme weather such as floods and drought.
If the world warms due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, temperatures at high latitudes are forecast to rise the most, reducing the difference between arctic and tropical temperatures.
Since this differential drives weather, we should see weaker midlatitude cyclones in a warmer world and so less extreme in weather, not more.
It is also a mistake to blame human activities for current weather extremes.
For example, the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (nipccreport.org) includes a study published this year in “Geophysical Research Letters” about the causes of the 2010 Russian heat wave.
Researchers concluded that: “It is unlikely that the warming attributable to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations contributed significantly to the magnitude of the heat wave.”
We will probably find the same when this summer’s weather is analysed.
Instead of trying to stop extreme weather events from happening an impossibility at our technology level we need to harden our societies to inevitable violent weather events by burying electrical cables, reinforcing buildings and other infrastructure and ensuring reliable energy sources so that we have the power to heat and cool our dwellings as needed.
Tom Harris.Executive Director,International Climate Science Coalition,Ottawa.
Wide range of moral compass
Sir, At the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Gordon Brown berated the British press for being “politicised” and for daring to challenge politicians’ motives and integrity.
Could this be the same Gordon Brown whose spokesman, Charlie Whelan, was forced to resign after he was found trashing Peter Mandelson in leaks to the press?
Or whose special adviser, Damian McBride, was caught publishing sleaze and innuendo on the internet about Brown’s political rivals and their families?
Or whose election campaign manager, Derek Draper, posted allegations of a personal nature against David and Samantha Cameron and George and Frances Osborne in “Labour List”?
Then again, this may be the new, improved Gordon Brown, honed from many months on the back benches, equipped with moral compass and ready to give us spiritual leadership.
(Dr) John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Bolshevik view on theft
Sir, It is interesting that, at a time when people are being jailed for stealing bottles of water during the riots, Bolshevik leader Lenin commented on this very thing.
Lenin was referring to British control of the railways in South America when he said: “In Britain steal a loaf of bread and go to jail, but steal a railway and go to the House of Lords”.
Given the tough sentences imposed on rioters, has the judiciary been reading up on Bolshevik history?
Ian Stewart.33 Park Avenue,Dundee.
Business casefor city hall
Sir, The emotional and heritage case for retaining Perth City Hall has been well made. However, perhaps an even more important business case should be made.
Old buildings create a sense of place which is vital to attract and retain talented people.
As a contributor to the Phoenix Business Journal has noted: “Our lack of old buildings and authentic urban neighbourhoods puts us at a huge disadvantage in attracting top talent.”
Although some people are attracted to Perth because it is an old historic place, it does not, in fact, enjoy too many really fine old buildings.
The city hall is arguably the finest secular building in Perth. It is essential that Perth preserves the best of the old, while incorporating the best of the new.
In my opinion, the plan to retain the frontage of the hall, although a laudable attempt to hold on to some of the heritage, is a very unhappy compromise.
It would destroy the aesthetic of the building, and reduce the possibilities for reuse.
Robert Booth.6 Simpson Place,Perth.
One no better than the other
Sir, Your recent report (August 12) on the jailing of a Highland councillor for embezzlement raises an interesting question regarding the state of the nation.
Who is really the greater criminal: the raging, barely literate teenage thug who stole a £100 pair of trainers in a riot, or the said councillor, who stole £43,000 in a betrayal of public trust?
What kind of example does this politician, and others guilty of similar crimes, set for youths?
The thuggery may come from the bottom, but the rot stems from the top.
Ron Greer.Armoury House,Blair Atholl.
Time to reach for nationhood
Sir, Answering Neil McKinnon’s letter (August 12) is easy.
A vote in the forthcoming referendum is not a vote on the EU. It is not a vote on dog fouling, the Queen, or hanging or the eurozone or any other matter that gets folk wroched up.
It is a national chance to vote for normality and become a nation again.
Jim McGugan.7 The Square,Letham.
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.