The article by Sean McDonagh (“Rome has not yet embraced this new vision”, 3 January) briefly mentions “adequate finance to help poor countries adapt” to climate change. This was the main stumbling-block in the IPPC negotiations in Lima. What will be demanded in Paris is a fund of US$100 bn. As at Kyoto, the main burden would fall on the US. As at Kyoto, the Americans will not sign up. President Obama has lost control of both houses and there is an election in 2016.
At the moment the US economy is surging forward, powered by the cheap methane that has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions almost back to 1992 levels. Now in consequence the price of oil is falling sharply and the poorer countries can look forward to cheaper food and raw materials. This will help them directly to improve the education, health and living standards of their communities. The International Energy Agency believes that there is enough methane around to last for up to 500 years, and such a lower carbon economy has much to recommend it.
Any religious person who read Fred Hoyle’s introduction to astronomy would have had their beliefs seriously challenged by his vigorous atheism. Later in life he concluded that science provided no answer to the origin of life, which is a mystery. Modern genomic analysis mainly exposes our deep ignorance of our environment, and provides no answer to the mystery. The fact-selective and generally self-interested perspective of the environmentalist is just a confusion.
The Catholic Church is in open rebellion in the matter of contraception, as the outcome of an encyclical in a matter where the Pope has legitimate authority. Pope Francis may well surprise us all with his reflections on the material environment. After all, it has been said that one of three things even the Holy Ghost doesn’t know is “what the Jesuits are thinking”.
Dr Michael Hughes, Newbury, Berks
Loading ...
