Climate of doubt

Thank you Mr Setter for reminding those of us old enough to remember and informing a younger generation that climate science is not infallible.

Since the mid 1800s the question of pollution has become a source of news and a "moral duty" of great importance.

What has happened in the late 20th and early 21st century, however, is the fact pollution lacks any real evidence on the astronomical scale needed to make a realistic judgement that it has any bearing on climate change. Ignoring any consideration of renewed grants from "green" charities and funding institutions to those involved in "research", is how well would it stand up in court? The reality is not very well. The earliest ice core readings that go back before humans roamed planet Earth show readings far worse than any modern records that began before the industrial revolution.

That said, pollution is an undeniable reality that can be attributed to human activity but the link to climate change is tenuous to say the least. Let's stop the plastic and chemical waste that can be seen killing the oceans and cut the use of nonrenewable energy sources. These actions are simple common sense.

More importantly, what we must also remember is the number of humans on the planet and that their consequential consumption and waste is a fundamental cause of the detrimental affect that this unnatural pollution has on planet Earth. Since the end of the 19th century the Earth's human population and consumption has grown exponentially -- in my lifetime the world population has more than trebled. It was slightly curtailed by two world wars and revolutions in China and Russia, but over population remains the "undebatable fact" that is always brushed under the carpet.

Climate change is inevitable but pollution and the end of the human race is not. It depends on whether we face the real problem or allow the politicians and opportunists to milk it for votes or fame and fortune.

Fireman Sam
Injection of sense

Re: "Covid strategy needs jabs more than just masks", (BP, Feb 16).

Atiya Achakulwisut has raised all the right questions and concerns with regards to Thailand's Covid-19 immunisation plans. What strikes me most squarely are the economic arguments in favour of rapid vaccinations. If Khun Atiya's figures are correct, the 20-billion-baht investment required to immunise the entire population of the kingdom pales in comparison to the hundreds of billions of baht in economic losses being racked up as a result of the shutdown of international tourism and other Covid-sensitive sectors. A "no-brainer" indeed.

Samanea Saman
Flower pot

The regulations issued by the Public Health Ministry for legalising most parts of the marijuana plant illustrates only too clearly how poorly the authorities have thought this issue through (Editorial, Feb 22).

Not touched on however, is a question what are the rules for securing and disposing of the still-illegal flowers, or "buds", and how will they be enforced? Given the number of entities from research bodies to community-based enterprises now allowed to grow marijuana legally, there will inevitably be a considerable and ongoing quantity of this "waste" product.

It's value on the illegal market is substantial and it's hardly conceivable that there will not very soon be a marked upturn in the availability on the street of pot for recreational use.

Ray Ban
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