What do the East Cornwall mayors think they are going to achieve from their climate change stunts reported in the Cornish Times, apart from yet another photo opportunity? I would think that Brown, Benn and the rest of this government will be delighted with what effectively is a mandate from the people of Cornwall to increase motoring and other unpopular taxes in the mistaken belief that it will stop global warming. I notice that letters were delivered to Truro and to Hilary Benn by bike, bus, and train. If councillors are so worried about car use, perhaps they should set an example and use these methods of travel when attending meetings in Truro instead of claiming large amounts in mileage allowances. Most people should now be aware that modern cars, with very few exceptions, are very low polluters and to tell people not to use their cars will have no affect whatsoever against the millions of tons of CO2 that is being pumped out from coal- fired power stations in India and China. I do not like any pollution and I always recycle but an increasing number of scientists are now saying that natural conditions in temperature change which have prevailed for millions of years are more likely to be the main cause of the changes in climate which we are now experiencing. The fact that the surface temperature of Mars has also increased in recent years reinforces this argument especially as far as anybody knows there aren't any cars up there. It is my firm belief that in 20 or 30 years' time when we are again experiencing the cold winters similar to those between the late 1940s and early 1960s, our descendants will be cursing those responsible when pedalling their bikes and straining their eyes under low energy light bulbs, for curbing progress and taking them back towards the Stone Age. May I suggest that the mayors' and county councillors' time would be better spent trying to find ways of reducing the ridiculous amounts of Council Tax, water charges, and other high costs that Cornwall residents are now faced with. I also suggest that they brief local MPs to urge this Government to reduce fuel taxes in areas such as ours where car use is absolutely essential especially as they have now given up providing effective public transport and even have the impertinence to suggest that people living in rural areas should stay at home and order shopping via the internet. Mike Jackman Looe
