30th December 2005

The Gazettes' article about the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)'s stance on nuclear is perplexing (9/12/05). They seem to be saying let's support nuclear so we don't have to raise taxes on gas-guzzling cars to tackle climate change (i).

This is a complete misreading of the situation. Our CO2 emissions are on the rise and we wont meet the woefully inadequate Kyoto targets let alone 90% reductions by 2050 at the latest. Nuclear is not the answer. It is dangerous, dirty and expensive and produces 20% of our electricity, but only 5% of our overall energy needs. So unless massively expanded, nuclear would only prevent around 3% increase in emissions through to 2020 and this is dwarfed by projected increase in vehicle emissions in the same period.

We need action now on all fronts to tackle climate change. 4x4s and other gas-guzzlers have been targeted by campaign groups as they are the epitome of our current misguided approach. We have both a global climate crisis and an impending global oil crisis, yet many of these cars manage only 13 miles or less to the gallon. By not taxing or even banning them (with exemptions for certain professions) we are just giving them the freedom to destroy our planet.

David Wood
Gloucestershire Green Party
Chalford Hill, Stroud