Sir, – Congratulations to Greta Thunberg for having the courage to speak out about global warming and the damage being done to our planet by the continual use of fossil fuels and the overuse of plastics.
Far from exploiting her, Greta’s parents have supported her and watched her grow and develop as a young person who has thrived and excelled in her dealings with politicians and the mass media.
She has grown in her conviction and displayed a concern for our planet so missing in many of our politicians unless it will win them a vote.
This despite having her own personal health issues to deal with.
Well done Greta!
Why do some people go out of their way to put her down? What are they scared of?
Why is it these are the same people who deny what the scientists have been warning us about for years?
These people bury their head in the sand.
They have a go at a young girl who speaks the truth.
Greta is speaking up for the young people whose future lies ahead of them and who will have to live with the consequences of our actions today.
Pauline Sharkey.
20 Lawside Avenue,
Dundee.
Air ambulance will bring health and hope
Sir, – 2020 is set to herald a major advancement in the provision of emergency pre-hospital care in Scotland.
This spring, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) will launch a second life-saving air ambulance helicopter, flying expert clinical care to the scene of serious illness and injury and airlifting patients onwards to definitive hospital care.
The new helicopter – callsign Helimed 79 – will operate from a new base at Aberdeen International Airport, providing an identical service to the charity’s existing helicopter, Helimed 76, based at Perth Airport.
Working in tandem with Scotland’s two government-funded helicopter air ambulances (based at Glasgow and Inverness), SCAA’s two helicopter air ambulances will play a critical role in the country’s 999 response network, flying help and hope to communities in every part of the country.
Since the charity’s first service launched in 2013, SCAA has touched the lives of thousands of patients.
This amazing service has only been made possible thanks to the generosity of people all across Scotland who have taken the tireless work of fundraising for the life-saving charity to their hearts.
People have walked, run, abseiled, dressed up, dressed down, baked, cycled, climbed, collected, sung and sponsored friends – an endless array of innovative and thrilling fundraising tasks – all to help fuel a service that needs your support today to ensure it is there for you tomorrow.
Sustaining a second helicopter air ambulance is a major challenge for SCAA but with the people of Scotland behind us we are confident we can deliver more help, to more people, more often as we add to the capacity and resilience of these vital national lifesaving resources.
Thank you to everyone who is already supporting SCAA and to those who will get behind us in the future and help fuel the life-saving flights that could impact on your family, your friends, your colleagues or your community.
A happy and safe New Year to all from everyone at SCAA – the People’s Helicopter – funded by the People of Scotland, for the People of Scotland.
John Bullough.
Chairman,
SCAA.
Subsidy regime key for farmers
Sir, – In reply to Dave Stewart (Farmers’ loyalty is puzzling, Courier, December 27) if he searches the history of Scottish farming this should solve his puzzle.
Over seventy years ago there were many more farming units than exist today.
Most of these farms were owned by local lairds, who in the main, were Tory supporters.
To keep on the right side of the lairds, farmers were persuaded to vote Tory. and this filtered down to the army of farm workers.
The farms were leased to the farmers usually for 14-year terms, with a break at seven years if required.
With mechanisation, fewer workers were required and many families drifted into towns and cities, where they were indoctrinated with socialism.
As far as subsidies are concerned, two world wars made us realise we could not feed ourselves.
Farm productivity was low because much of the land required draining and the soil was so acid that certain crops would not grow.
Subsidies were introduced to improve this situation, mainly by the application of lime to sweeten the soil and chemical fertilisers to increase yields.
Subsidies were also given to provide better farm buildings which would increase efficiency.
About this time, agricultural research centres were set up.
These centres would show the way to better varieties being bred which resulted in improved crop yields and better disease resistance.
In addition, similar work was undertaken to improve breeds of livestock to give better quality meats of all kinds, and also to improve animal health.
Over the years, the forward thinking farmers were quick to respond to these new technologies, which resulted in Scotland being one of the highest quality food producers in the world.
None of this could have been achieved without large subsidies.
I would ask Mr Stewart to ascertain the cost of new equipment and livestock to set up an average sized farm today.
There won’t be much change out of £1,000,000.
Bob Thomson.
Kinloch Street,
Ladybank,
Fife.
Brave approach to emissions
Sir, – A proposal for Edinburgh council to introduce a congestion charge is to be looked at again after a similar 2005 scheme was rejected.
Council leaders say it is necessary to reduce pollution and congestion.
No one would argue with that but then they spoil it by introducing phrases such as “climate emergency”, “meet a pledge for the city to be carbon neutral by 2030” and “meet our carbon reduction targets”.
It is not just Edinburgh council.
Every Tom Dick and Harry seems determined to introduce such words at every opportunity, and in doing so ignoring that the UK has 1.13 per cent of global emissions, Scotland 0.13% and that China and India, who are responsible for 36%, are still increasing their emissions with no end in sight.
Are Edinburgh councillors brave enough to visit China and India and attempt a congestion charge there where it would make a huge difference?
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Education is key in third world
Sir, – I have just read Reverend Dr John Cameron’s letter (There is always tomorrow, Courier, December 31) praising the fact that people in Africa and Asia are having an improved life expectancy.
It’s amazing what can be done when engineers,teachers and medical scientists replace dog collar wearers in developing countries.
Clean water,education and doctors and nurses have done far more for the peoples of the world than all the Christian missionaries have ever achieved.
Harry Key.
Mid Street,
Largoward.
