Green ships

I WAS fascinated to discover in the Guardian that new academic research shows CO2 emissions generated by shipping are twice that of global aviation, and growing at an even faster rate.

Shipping is often heralded as the 'green' alternative to flying - for both goods and passengers. This latest study puts pay to that theory.

Many local anti-airport campaigners have latched onto the climate change debate as a means of opposition - it provides a convenient cover to the charge of nimbyism. But if you want to find a solution to an international problem, you cannot just suggest Stansted's expansion is at the heart of the issue.

The real challenge we face is in the fast developing economies of India, China, Russia and Brazil. But, as Sir Nicholas Stern stated in his recent review, a balance must be found to achieve the best solution globally, and this means we need an effective, international emissions trading scheme to be established.

Massive problems exist with energy production, industry, road transport and domestic emissions. Livestock, staggeringly, accounts for 18 per cent of all global greenhouse gases. What is being done to tackle these?

Wrongly picking on one industry just won't solve anything.

Eileen Minton.

Woodlands Park Drive

Great Dunmow