I WAS glad to see that Richard Drax accepts that we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

I was not clear if he accepts the UK target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the interim target of a 78% reduction by 2035.

He is correct to say that these targets will be challenging.

They are necessary because the consensus among climate scientists is that the world must aim to keep the global average temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius. Above this figure, accelerating catastrophic climate change will cause enormous damage to the Earth, humans and other species.

Widespread floods, storms, droughts and wildfires have already destroyed parts of our world. These will only get worse, unless we rapidly wean ourselves off fossil fuels.

The only safe and sensible way forward is to adopt firm ambitious targets together with a clear plan to achieve them.

I agree with Mr Drax that we should celebrate what the UK has already achieved, especially in the field of wind and solar power.

But we must go much further.

Aviation has to be included in the targets, since it is a significant and rapidly growing sector using fossil fuels.

Yes, the UK now contributes just over 1% of global carbon emissions. T This is a relatively small amount, compared to much bigger economies like China and USA, but historically we have contributed over 5% to world cumulative emissions.

This CO2 emitted stays in the atmosphere for over 100 years and continues to drive climate change.

Who pays? We all will, because we have all caused the problem, as have our forebears since about 1800.

Unless we take radical and effective action now, we and especially our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences.

Just like the Covid pandemic, we are all in this together and no country can isolate itself from the developing climate crisis.

JOHN TOMBLIN Weymouth