Madam, - Dublin airport's Terminal 2 has got the go-ahead despite the legitimate concerns of local people about the effect on the quality of their lives. I shudder to think about the amount of traffic 32 million passengers a year is going to generate in the area.
On a larger scale, I shudder to think about the impact of the projected 32 million passengers on the warming of Ireland's climate, already happening twice as fast as the rest of the world, as reported in yesterday's edition.
If we were properly to count the cost of so-called cheap air travel in terms of noise pollution, traffic congestion and long-term environmental damage, would we really want a new airport terminal at all? - Yours, etc,
EMMA SMITH, Rathatton, Hollywood, Co Wicklow.
Madam, - On Wednesday the Environmental Protection Agency reported that the rate of global warming had almost doubled over the past 50 years, that precipitation patterns had changed and that the evidence for an anthropogenic influence on climate change was stronger than ever.
On the same day, An Bord Pleanála gave permission for an extra runway and terminal at Dublin airport, which will increase the number of flights and therefore also the emissions of greenhouse gases.
I take it, then, that this State is not serious about curbing global warming, and that we will all fry together when we fry. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN J GOGGIN, Stradbally North, Castleconnell, Co Limerick.
Madam, - It never ceases to amaze me how we can go directly from discussing urgent action on climate change to the urgent need to extend Dublin airport.
The Government should be implementing a policy to reduce flights into and out of Dublin airport by 30 per cent within five years, instead of the opposite. The imposition of a flat €100 carbon tax on local flights and €200 on long-haul flights would discourage excessive casual flying. Does anyone really need to fly to New York for a weekend shopping trip?
The advantage of the current congestion in the airport is that it discourages some people from flying. Let's encourage this trend, save the €600 million required for the airport extension and put it into a less carbon-intensive alternative, such as faster, subsidised ferry links to the Continent.
The current airport is more than adequate to meet the needs of a low-carbon future. - Yours, etc,
PAT BARRY, North Circular Road, Dublin 7.