What has all the histrionics over the past two weeks in Glasgow done to tackle climate change?

The world is talking and that’s a positive step. Even China has now agreed to co-operate with the US, which is a major breakthrough.

But, all too often, the language has been extreme. Project fear is unlikely to win over the sceptics, and the poor, who will be hit hardest by stringent attempts to cut emissions with, for example, punitive taxes. Common sense and pragmatism are urgently needed in this emotive debate if we are not to damage our own economy.

As the summit concludes speaker after speaker appears to be trying to outdo the other, making promises that few, if any, will be around to implement.

The UK is a small emitter and has already made huge strides with wind and solar power. Four small nuclear power stations are being talked about, but will take years to come on line. And there’s progress being made on the use of hydrogen, while a new biofuel for aircraft will drastically cut their emissions. Research and development, innovation and technology are the way forward.

We must be certain that whatever replaces fossil fuel actual works and, importantly, is affordable. Even Germany has reverted back to using coal to ensure the lights stay on. It’s temporary, that’s true, but proves that renewables are still not capable of sustaining a modern economy.

Some serious thinking and planning needs to be done if we are not to be pushed, bullied and frightened into impoverishing our citizens by some of the more extreme elements of the green lobby.

Our reliance on fossil fuel will end one day, but let’s get there sensibly.

RICHARD DRAX

SOUTH DORSET MP