Sir, - The World Health Organisation has recently estimated that if there is no change in the fossil-fuel emission scenario, there will be 1,053 million people at risk from water shortage, 23 million people at risk from coastal flooding and 22 million people at risk from hunger by the year 2050.
The most affected areas will, of course, be those least able to cope. The poorest countries of the world must not suffer more because we are unwilling to substantially reduce our fossil-fuel emissions. We need a substantial reduction of greenhouse emissions through energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy resources must be a priority. Global warming is also a public health issue. - Yours, etc.
Elizabeth Cullen, (Dr),
CoChair, Irish Doctors Environmental Association,
Killiney,
Co Kerry.