Sir, – Recent correspondence about climate change has conjugated the verb “believe” – I believe the evidence-based research of well-informed objective scientists; you have the wool pulled over your eyes by so-called scientists; they are self-serving charlatans in a conspiracy with a hidden agenda.

We all rely on experts whether our problem is a toothache, a leaking roof, or a fragile planet.

We hope to find ones we can trust. Personally, I trust the scientists and economists who argue that human activities are causing climate change, that it will have disastrous consequences, and that we must urgently change our way of life to prevent catastrophe.

Remember the hole in the ozone layer? Scientists found the hole, pointed out its implications for human health, identified its causes, and lobbied politicians to ban the chemicals that destroyed ozone. The politicians listened and acted, and damage to the ozone layer was halted. No scam, just evidence- based policy making.

If you are determined to deny climate change, you’ll find some evidence and some experts to prove your case. You trust them because they back the instinct or prejudice that makes you want to deny global warming. But what is it about the theory that arouses such a violent reaction, such angry, insulting language, such sweeping dismissal of people who hold the opposite opinion?

What would be so bad about the transition to a sustainable economy? We would generate energy from renewable sources rather than burning fossil fuels – as we have done for the whole of human history except the last two hundred years, but now with better technology.

We could consume less, be more locally self-reliant, and do without green beans from Africa. (Yes, Mr Nicholson, controlling population growth would help a lot. Especially in the rich countries of the world, where every extra person creates umpteen times the environmental impact of an extra person in the poor world.) We will have to make the transition anyway because the oil is running out – the desperate attempt to find new oil fields in ever deeper waters caused the present disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Transition is a challenge, an opportunity, not a threat. It wouldn’t be the end of the world, but the alternative – business as usual, with our fingers in our ears – might be.

And yes, Mr Bloom, we pay taxes. That’s because we live in a civilised country. Get over it.

DAVE DALTON Station Road, Richmond.