Why is it that when the subjects of global warming and carbon emissions are featured in the media, they are invariably accompanied by pictures of cooling towers of power stations gushing steam (which I seem to remember from school days is water vapour)? It is great for effect but to my knowledge doesn't harm the environment at all.

Robin March, Berkhamsted, UK

I'm surprised that people still seem to accepting this scam of CO2 leading to global warming, and the subsequent increased taxation to address it, after seeing a docmentary of C4 last week which thoroughly debunked the CO2 myth (global warming is actually a result of sun activity, not an increase in CO2) and the fact that the much heralded IPCC report has had many of its original autohrs resign and take them to court to remove their names from a document that eliminated scientific statements negating the effects of CO2 in favour of those that agreed with political rhetoric.

Why has no-one in the public domain, or The Times at the very least, commented on this documentary and the conflicts with current CO2 talk, if not simply to debunk the documentary? Is it a fear of being pilloried by an ignorant majoity that seem to be intent on paying for the emporer's new clothes?

russell bonser, moseley, birmingham,

What a load of nonsense from David Milliband. When questioned by a Sunday newspaper about climate change he said "I go by the facts" and then did not give any facts at all, a typical answer from politicians. He also said that he was supported by 99.9 per cent of scientists, I think. Where do these politicians get these numbers from. Did David Milliband think of a number, or did he make one up.
I also saw "The Great Global Warning Scandal" and I was greatly impressed by these famous scientists argument that the sun was responsible for global warming. Do David Milliband and the Prime Minister not know that the
amount of carbon dioxide in the earths atmosphere is only 0.5% and man might have made it 0.6%. We have had global warming and ice ages in the past when there were no industries or planes or motor vehicles on the planet so to my mind these carbon taxes that are proposed are another form of stealth tax from this preposterous government.

Thomas Ralphs, Leigh, Lancashire

Climate warming precedes increases in atmospheric CO2, so it is difficult to see how cutting our production of these gases has anything to do with saving the planet. If our ignorant leaders, and I include Windmill Dave in this, would first study a little science before rushing in with frantic but very costly and irrelevant remedies we could address the real problem. The real problem is that of building sea defences and coping with increased weather turbulence. These problems will arise whatever we do since they are driven by the sun's activity and not by our puny interventions in weather management.

Anthony Back, Wellington, Telford, England

I see ruin in a Country, I have long admired as a bulwark for civilized societies, simply because they have succumbed to political hysteria, and scientific hyperbole. I do hope the Brits fight this insanity, before it encourages the lunatic fringe in the US to follow suit.

Urban Green, Philadlephia, PA

I watced the channel 4 programme "The great global warming swindle" and found it convincing and disturbing. Are there any in government (or opposition) who understand scientific principles? Even the IPCC (which does not entirely consist of the world's leading scientists) said they were only 90% certain that global warming was due to carbon emissions! It does not even address the issue of solar activity and natural cycles, so far as I can see.

bob wilkinson, milnthorpe, cumbria

I will believe the government is sincere on the Global Warming theory when the population target is 50 million people or less living in the UK by 2050. That's about the same drop as the projected rise.

David Thijm, Stourbridge, UK

A cabon tax - what rubbish!

Did any reader view the channel 4 programme on this cabon tax swindle?

Come on Blair, your government is so empty of treasury funds that you are desperate to raise funds on a sham.

No I do not beleive that we are causing the global warming problem, let alone believe any comments that are uttered from our politicians on this subject.

When Blair was asked yesterday, will he be curtailing his globe trotting holidays, he looked extremely sheepish when he answered no!

Michael Leigh, Nottingham, uk

What is this about including "voluntary action"? Any voluntary action by individuals should be counted as being in addition to the government's efforts - not as part of it. We shouldn't allow ministers to pat themselves on the back for carbon reductions achieved by others.

I disagree with previous posters. A 60% reduction target is achievable without reductions in living standards. I don't drive and I've managed to reduce my home's gas and electricity usage by 50% over three years - with more reduction projects in the pipeline. Having the will to take action is all that we require.

Duncan, Crawley, UK

I smell a very big rat! A 60% reduction translated for the 'home' will mean, no car, no travel, no electrical goods (TV, Computers), and no central heating. However no electorate will stand for that so the answer? Why Nuclear power. With this we have zero Carbon and lots of energy so people can keep their TV. By making the 'alternative' so uncomfortable we get nuclear by default. The choice will be clear. Back to the 17th Century or Nuclear power.

Steve Walters, Blairgowrie, Perthshire

More taxes and regulations to beat us over the head with.We seem to have gone from 10 year plans to 50 year plans.Why is this discredited, publicity seeking fool still dictating long term policy for this country,will he be living here when he retires or going to the USA?If he decides to live over there can he ask them to stop their polution from drifting over here,while he is at it can he ask them to pay $2 a litre rather than $3 a gallon?.We are a tiny speck on the globe taking responsibility for cleaning all of its mess.He and his friend Bush should not fear global warming as it will be counteracted by their forthcoming nuclear winter.His search for a legacy will be the ruin of us.

JohnP, Newcastle, UK

If the government is going to reduce carbon emission by 60% in the year 2060, perhaps they can explain if they have included the increases in carbon emissions that will arise because of their open door immigration policy and the prediction that the population will rise to 71million by the same period. If we are really serious about decreasing carbon emissions it is evident that it must be accompanied by a decrease in population both within the UK and Worldwide.
An ever increasing population brings with it increases in the number of cars on the road and the amount of gas/electricity used amongst other things or does our all seeing all wonderful government envisage everybody walking to work , eating raw food, doing their washing in the river.
This just looks like another excuse to tax the Brits while the rest of the World goes merrily on its way.

jeff cox, Conifer Grove, New Zealand

I saw David Milliband on Newsnight last night and what he seemed to be proposing was total government power over us with measures that will put the economy of this country back to pre industrial revolution levels. A newsnight reporter had tried to reduce his carbon footprint for a year and by getting rid of his car, not flying at all and lowering his heating to uncomfortable levels had acheived a 20% reduction. To get 60% as Milliband proposes would require going back to stoneage standards of living. With the power to tax and regulate us into submission on this I can see the UK turning into some sort of post nuclear war type industrial wasteland. That this is to be done on the basis of flawed "science" by those who think they can see into the future and control the weather is grounds for extreme alarm. There is no voice of reason or opposition to this madness which is even more frightening.

Simon, Medway, Kent

What another good idea to increase taxation.
If only the rest of the world would do the same,but it will not.
Perhaps returning to the austere days of the war years might help cocentrate the mind.
How many people would wish to return to those days without cars, washing machines, fridges, no overseas holidays ( indeed holidays at all) ?

Bernard Parke, Guildford,

Why does anyone pay attention to all this bilge. This is just another way of fleecing the taxpayers again.Nothing will be done.The good news is that real scientists that use empirical data and not 'visions' are becoming more vocal. Another thing that chaves me is St Al Gore of Green. This man has been so discredited it is amazing he has not been run out of town on a rail. His 40,000 species becoming extinct each year was plaigerised from "A Sinking Ark', since debunked.How can a man plaigerise junk.? Did you know the end of the world is due in 8 years 321 days according to the new Prophet of the eco-nuts new religion. Give me break.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, TX