LETTER : Energy threat of air-conditioning

Sir: Doubtless, David Porter (Letters, 27 August) would argue that he is merely seeking to be humorous when he makes his fervent plea to the members of the various Electricity Consumers' Committees to put air-conditioning into all their premises.

But it is precisely the increasing use of air-conditioning in offices which helps to make the sector the fastest-growing energy-using part of the economy - faster even than motor vehicles. Writing as he does on behalf of the Association of Electricity Producers, it is in Mr Porter's members' interests to encourage as much fuel to be burnt as possible.

Thereby hangs part of the dilemma all governments face when trying to address the threat of climate change by reducing energy consumption.

ANDREW WARREN

Association for the Conservation of Energy,

London N1