JIM ALLAN (HAS, June 2) upbraids the world’s politicians who accept the overwhelming scientific opinion that current and imminent climate change is a threat, that it is man-made and that we should switch to cleaner fuels.

If we do nothing then the strong likelihood is that man will be forced to abandon all coastal towns and cities. There will be catastrophic food and fresh water shortages on an unimaginable scale.

Mr Allan suggests to the contrary there is no need for alarm, climate change has happened before and it is all very complicated. But the world’s scientists are well aware of this and build that into their models which predicts disaster.

The dissenters from this view are a rag bag of cranks and “scientists for sale” largely financed by fossil fuel companies.

They are reminiscent of the disgraceful charlatans who tried to persuade us that tobacco is harmless. Vested interests will go to any lengths to preserve their profits.

The consequences of believing the climate change deniers, if they are wrong, will be appalling.

If, however, the massive weight of scientific opinion is wrong and we act to limit CO2 emissions in error, then the consequence are a cleaner planet, better jobs for people and electricity a little more expensive.

It’s all a no-brainer really.

Rob Meggs, Hartlepool.