SIR, – With reference to recent letters on global warming and related energy policies (March 6), the following official report from Norway seems relevant.
“The Arctic Ocean is warming up. Icebergs are growing scarcer and in some places seals are finding the waters too hot.
“Reports from fishermen and seal hunters all point to a radical change in climatic conditions with hitherto unheard-of temperatures in the Arctic zone.
“Expeditions report that scarcely any ice has been found south of Spitsbergen where summer sea temperatures are now +15C. At many points well-known glaciers have entirely disappeared.
“There are very few seals and no white fish in the eastern Arctic, while vast shoals of herring and smelts, which have never before ventured so far north, are being encountered in the old seal fishing grounds.”
This is dated 1922, when fossil carbon use was only 10% of today’s, and CO2 emissions close to pre-industrial levels. In 2010, July sea temperatures round Spitsbergen are much colder. Although climate models cannot explain this 1920s hot period, new, worrying energy policies depend on such increasingly questionable climate science.
Michael Wood,
Rubislaw Den South,
Aberdeen.
SIR, – As closed seasons were designed for the protection of deer when they are in poorest condition and females are heavy in calf, the call by the Scottish Wildlife Trust to extend the open season for red deer, highlights how little practical experience the organisation has of deer.
The claims by SWT, that red deer are dying of starvation because the population is too high, is misleading.
In some areas, due to heavy culling by the Forestry Commission, the result of badly-designed forestry schemes, fence placement, and fences in a state of disrepair, deer numbers are well down and are causing concern.
Nothing takes the condition of an animal down quicker than a continual wet and cold back.
After an exceptionally cold and wet autumn last year, deer entered the winter in poor condition and have had to endure near Artic conditions since.
Emaciated and dying deer tend to live alone and are sought after and dispatched by stalkers, causing no stress to others.
To resume culling would be counterproductive as the disturbance would reduce the condition of animals in slightly better condition to that of the emaciated and dying and is why stalkers are against the resumption of culling.
Peter Fraser,
East Auchallater,
Braemar.
SIR, – On March 8, the Press and Journal reported a new record claimed for kilted skiers and snowboarders in the Cairngorms.
Whilst admiring the effort, however, I do just wonder if the feat will actually be recognised by the Guinness Book of Records.
I somehow doubt that all these good people were in fact “properly” wearing the kilt.
If I am wrong and they were so attired, my admiration for them is increased tenfold.
John Mackenzie,
Conan House, Conon Bridge.
SIR, – Regarding the neglect of potholes at Pitfodels Station Road while speed bumps were being installed in the same location (P&J, March 9) a spokeswoman from Aberdeen City Council stated: “The installation of speed cushions is a totally different operation to pothole repairs which requires different equipment and different skills and the work is carried out by different teams.”
I assume this means that even in these times of financial stringency a skilled team and expensive equipment is being maintained for the sole purpose of installing speed bumps. I suppose we can look forward to an ever-increasing proliferation of these bumps until all our streets are completely covered.
Robert Bain,
North Deeside Road,
Cults, Aberdeen.
SIR, – It appears that the SNP soundbite makers need to go back to school.
If they do deliver fewer cuts perhaps we might see an improvement in the standard of English at the launch of future SNP campaign slogans.
Ian Gibson,
Loch na Leoba Road,
Newtonmore.