SIR – I don’t disagree with the fundamental principle that any economy should respect the environment.

It’s a question of how we go about doing it.

Neil Laurenson labels me “irresponsible” (Worcester News, July 30) yet taking windfarms as an example of renewable energy, surely he cannot deny that they are deeply flawed?

Owing to their intermittent power output, they require 100 per cent back-up from conventional sources of power.

We pay a healthy average 15 per cent premium on our bills for the privilege of seeing them blemish landscapes and reduce the quality of life of those unlucky enough to live nearby.

Looking at the wider picture; is our renewables policy reducing global CO² emissions?

If we as a country stopped generating any carbon dioxide at all, China’s constantly increasing emissions would make good the temporary deficit in overall carbon production in about a year.

We appear to be pouring a lot of money away, helping to impoverish ourselves and stymie our industries pursuing a fruitless policy.

The energy strategy for this country has been an EU led shambles. Let’s cut our losses and develop a truly cost-effective, reliable and environmentally-friendly way of power generation; technology we could export to the rest of the world.

JAMES GOAD

UKIP, Worcester and District