The future of energy production and the cost of protests exercise today’s letter writers as does the continuing debate over the Lady of the Lowes osprey blog closure.
Efficiency answer to energy question
Sir In the debate on nuclear power in the aftermath of Fukushima, most commentators have ignored the step that would most increase energy security, create green-collar jobs and reduce fossil fuel dependence demand reduction.
Up to a third of the energy we use is wasted. Since each pound invested in energy efficiency saves up to 10 times as much carbon as each pound spent on new generation, it is also the cheapest way to tackle climate change.
So, as Scotland”s political parties publish their election manifestos, the credibility of their energy policies must be judged on whether they prioritise energy saving over profligacy.Chas Booth. Association for the Conservation of Energy, 5 Carpet Lane, Edinburgh.
Democracy comes at cost
Sir Jim Robertson and Brian Macfarlane disagree with my proposal that, before obtaining permission to hold protest demonstrations, the organisers should have to pay up front for policing, loss of trade and possible damage and injury.
They claim that I am attacking their democratic right to peaceful protest. Not at all. I have nothing against demonstrations and protests but why should all taxpayers have to pay for the privileges of a minority?
I have the democratic right to stand for parliament but I have to pay for it. Why, then, should demonstrators not pay for the policing and disruption resulting from their wish to demonstrate?
I see no reason why I, or millions of others who do not take part in such protests, should pay for demonstrators” choices.George K. McMillan. 5 Mount Tabor Avenue, Perth.
SWT right to close bird blog
Sir I agree with the comments by William Robertson, of Greenford. The Loch of the Lowes blog had become a sentimental embarrassment and SWT is to be praised for closing it down.
Those wishing to follow this remarkable nature story and the good work done by SWT could hardly follow the thread because of all the literary cater-wauling.Bob Ferguson. North Muirton, Perth.
Lady deserves literary tributes
Sir I am one of those bloggers Mr Robertson (March 30) finds so irksome.
I have no idea of the length of his interest in our female osprey we all love and call Lady.
Personally mine is 20 years’ strong. We bloggers are are a committed and dedicated community,
A blog is a place for passing and receiving information but first and foremost, about our osprey family.
Bloggers get to know each other and have formed a wonderful community.
Yes, we composed poems. Members produced a book, photos, calendars, notelets, cards and Christmas cards and held sponsored events.
The money raised has gone towards the costs of ringing the fledglings and fitting them with transmitters.
Yes we fawn over our girl, she warrants it. She is a world record holder, the most rare and special female in the world right now and she is ours.
Paying tribute to Lady is a joy and a pleasure for all who know her well.(Mrs) Chrissy Beahan. 28 Park Street, Kidderminster.
Green strategy wishful thinking
Sir I have to admire Stuart Allan’s optimism in citing his selection of renewable energy sources to meet all our future electricity needs (March 31) which is obviously based on the current political “strategy” called wishful thinking.
In order to add some factual perspective to this debate, today’s national grid generation data informs me that coal and gas are providing 71% of the UK”s electricity, nuclear around 20%.
Of the remaining demand balance of 9% renewables are producing a total of some 6.5%. The breakdown is hydro 2.5%; wind 4%. The balance is achieved by importing electricity via the French interconnector.
No other form of renewable energy registers on the system.
From his list of renewables, only tidal offers any meaningful future electricity generation potential but, even then, nowhere near the scale required.
Both wind and wave generation are weather dependent and hence highly unreliable and the “well-established method” he alludes to for wave generation produces trivial amounts of electricity measured in kilowatts when it is megawatts and gigawatts we need.
As for solar generation ever registering on a national scale here in Scotland, I would refer him to Met Office records where he will see what the rest of us already know.G. M. Lindsay. Whinfield Gardens, Kinross. 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.