Sir, – Danny Healy-Rae continues to attribute global warming to divine causes ("Healy-Rae claims Noah's Ark supports his climate theory", August 18th). According to the TD, since the Earth's climate underwent many changes in the distant past, it follows that any climate change today must be natural in origin. This argument contains a dangerous logical fallacy and should not go unchallenged.
As most readers will know, decades of experiments have established beyond reasonable doubt that today’s global warming is strongly associated with a measured increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere – an increase caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
Mr Healy-Rae is entitled to his opinion but he is not entitled to his own facts. He is not the only politician who denies the findings of modern climate science (the phenomenon is widespread among Republican politicians in the US), but can we afford to be governed by politicians who openly reject the findings of science? – Yours, etc,
Dr CORMAC
O’RAIFEARTAIGH, FRAS
Lecturer in Physics,
Waterford Institute
of Technology.
Sir, – With Danny Healy-Rae such an expert on climate change and biblical goings-on, will he next confirm that all those lovely Roses of Tralee ultimately derive from Adam’s ribs in the beautiful garden? – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN CAFFERTY,
Ballina, Co Mayo.
Sir, – The Healy-Raes have a genius for getting free publicity. And you fell for it. Again. – Yours, etc,
PATRICIA O’RIORDAN,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Whatever about climate change, Danny Healy-Rae has renewed my faith in the silly season. – Yours, etc,
ANNE BYRNE,
Bray, Co Wicklow.