Battling greenhouse gases
In Jon Henley’s article on how air conditioning contributes to climate change (30 October), he warns us that the HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) used in cooling systems produce greenhouse gases which are “4,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide”. Ironically, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987) encouraged the use of HFCs to replace the more toxic, ozone-depleting HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) then being used in refrigerants and aerosols.
But, as production of HFCs increased exponentially, it was discovered that they generate greenhouse gases even more potent than the HCFCs and CFCs they were used to replace. Meanwhile, the ozone layer keeps shrinking, and the ultraviolet rays from the sun it is there to protect us from are still causing skin cancers, and undermining the growth of ocean plankton.
As a consequence, at last month’s 27th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Dubai, the participating 197 member countries agreed to launch to launch new negotiations on phasing out some HFCs worldwide.
Richard Orlando
Westmount, Quebec, Canada
Injustice in Chicago
The shocking disclosures of the clandestine interrogation and detention of predominantly marginalised African-American and Latino residents of Chicago, thanks to the moral and legal persistence of the Guardian, is reminiscent of the dehumanising intimidatory practices of the Nazis, Stalin’s police and Apartheid South Africa’s Special Branch unit (23 October).
This story would certainly not have been investigated by a largely corporate-dominated American media, which often chooses to dismiss the dysfunctional characteristics of what is a shadow of a democratic society. The compelling evidence presented in the article exposes an attitude of plausible deniability frequently adopted by those who exercise authority and power. Unfortunately, this dangerous Orwellian spectre will continue, in spite of the valiant efforts to further expose these draconian methods.
Michael Herman
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
• Spencer Ackerman’s report says “police allowed lawyers access to Homan Square for only 0.94% of the 7,185 arrests”. Figures stated in that form fairly beg to be rechecked. If there were 67 cases, that would be 0.9325% or, rounded to two significant figures, 0.93%. And if there were 68, that would be 0.9464%, rounded (up, standardly) to 0.95%.
Either the raw number or “less than 1%” would have inspired more confidence.
Lee Hartman
Carbondale, Illinois, US
Catholic church and women
Your leader Choose what’s best for women (30 October) contains at least two false premises. The first is that the influence of the pope and the Catholic church is universally beneficial to women. The second is that this influence should be preserved, and that this can only happen by the pope attempting to juggle the seemingly incompatible demands for religious acceptance, guidance and redemption in the new and old worlds.
In the first place, the church’s dogmatic tenet is that sex is only permissible in a sanctified relationship between a man and a woman. The church also strongly suggests that a woman’s primary role in such a marriage is to bear more Catholic children. Both men and women are increasingly rejecting these strictures, with their reproductive organs and with their hearts.
The second premise is a plea for the impossible, and your conclusion that it should at least be tried is flawed in more ways than one. The sooner the pernicious influence of this paternalistic institution is diminished, the more it will benefit humanity, as well as protect this increasingly fragile planet by encouraging control of our burgeoning population.
Noel Bird
Boreen Point, Queensland, Australia
Independence for Scotland
Martin Kettle (23 October) continues to disappoint on the subject of Scotland and the SNP. Kettle’s most recent effort purported to be about Scotland, but was actually about the UK. His columns use the SNP as a coat hanger for his ideas about pro-union strategy. That is not a problem if it is honest.
However, I expect a more nuanced analysis of social democracy, nationalism and separation from the Guardian. It is not “a mistake to imagine that the SNP’s appeal is ‘really’ about social democracy and not nationalism”. That bald statement of his was unsupported by evidence, probably because it is unsupportable. Were it true, the SNP would have come to power a long time ago. It has taken a long time for Scots to become so disheartened by the neglect of their concerns to finally opt for separation.
Nationalism comes in many guises: some ugly, most problematic. Social democracy is, however, something earnestly desired by many people in Scotland – and indeed beyond. The concept of civil society and the public good has been under threat since free market economics took over in the UK.
If Nicola Sturgeon can bring it into being in Scotland, but requires separation to do that, good luck to her! That is not nationalism; it is separation from a Westminster government that does not care about ordinary people.
Rosemary Ommer
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada
• The article Scots aren’t destined to break free draws on the Canada/Quebec experience and suggests that defeating a second Scottish secession referendum “is critical”. However, an important point learned here in North America is that the threat of a repeat referendum is a continuum, with the Parti Québécois simply biding its time until it feels that conditions are opportune for the result desired.
This political football match is governed by different rules to those of sport: no matter how many referendums decide for maintaining the status quo, one win by the separatists triggers separation. So, the actuality is a sequence of referendums, all of which have to be defeated to keep Scotland in the Union.
Anthony Walter
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Briefly
• It’s been very encouraging to see the Guardian take on such an active role in addressing the challenges involved in achieving outcomes at the Paris climate negotiations which will prevent the disastrous scenario the planet is now facing (6 November). It’s been disappointing, however, to see you picking up expressions like “deal” and “game changer” to describe the negotiations.
These are surely more appropriate to business negotiations or sporting events, and fail to capture the significance of climate change for the thousands of people facing the devastation of their livelihoods and even death because of the atmospheric and oceanic dynamics already in progress.
Wendy Flannery
Brisbane, Australia
• The eulogy Justin Trudeau gave, at age 28, at his father’s funeral included the following: “Simple tolerance, mere tolerance, is not enough; we need genuine and deep respect for each and every human being, notwithstanding their thoughts, their values, their beliefs, their origins. That’s what my father demanded of his sons and that’s what he demanded of his country.”
More important than talk of a Trudeau dynasty is the hope that as Canada’s new prime minister, Justin Trudeau can deliver on his father’s belief.
Tom Edmonds
Cowansville, Quebec, Canada
• The whole point of the Odyssey was trying against all odds to get home (30 October). Rashid al-Shabai, like all refugees sharing his “odyssey”, is fleeing home. Another word, please.
Warwick Ruse
Brunswick, Victoria, Australia
• After admitting that the increase in cancer risk from eating processed meats is small (30 October), the question remains as to what else causes colorectal cancer. Consumption of processed meat can only account for a very small proportion of cases, and mentioning this risk in the same context as tobacco smoking is hugely misleading, as cigarette smoking accounts for the vast majority of lung cancers.
But perhaps there’s a clue here as to what the culprit might be: passive consumption of processed meat – that mouth-watering aroma of sizzling bacon can’t be doing any of us any good!
Malcolm Faddy
Maleny, Queensland, Australia
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