Lovelock and the nuclear option

Madam, – When I read Minister Eamon Ryan’s review of James Lovelock’s latest book, The Vanishing Face of Gaia, I was both surprised…

Madam, – When I read Minister Eamon Ryan's review of James Lovelock's latest book, The Vanishing Face of Gaia,I was both surprised and delighted by his praise of Lovelock's work (Book Reviews, March 7th). For example, he says Lovelock "is the equivalent of a modern day Churchill warning of climate wars that are ahead of us".

The delight was short-lived, for the Minister chose to make no mention of Lovelock’s most urgent message to mankind: that the risks of using nuclear power to solve climate problems are less than those of not doing so.

When will the Minister open his eyes and mind to the facts about nuclear power as expressed, not only by Lovelock but, by other scientists and engineers around the world, including Ireland? When will he cast aside the green dogma and recognise the data?

I guess the answer is not until the public are converted, because too many politicians are scared to lead. By then it will too late.

READ MORE

– Yours, etc,

FRANK TURVEY, Church Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow.