Letter: Nuclear future

Sir: The letter about Turkey's nuclear power proposals (26 August) is, like most warnings about the dangers of anything nuclear, alarmist and exaggerated. It is nonsense to claim that we can foresee a nuclear accident in Turkey which will kill more than the perhaps 50,000 killed by the earthquake.

The biggest threat to humanity is posed by global warming, and if we are serious about tackling it, we need to replace fossil-fuelled power stations. While solar and wind power can make a contribution, it will never be a large one.

There will be a return to nuclear power in due course because of its zero carbon-dioxide emissions, and because the public will not agree to forgo the luxury of plentiful electricity any more than they are willing to reduce the use of the motor car.

DEREK BRADSTREET

Thurso, Highland