Sir – Your front page (August 15) tells us the new Westgate car park could serve as a flood water reservoir because of the growing danger of extreme flood events. But your lead letter from a correspondent in Woodstock still claims that climate change is “alarmist propaganda”.

The reality is that carbon dioxide has increased and is having a marked impact on climate all over the world.

It is very likely that this increase in harmful CO2 is the result of burning fossil fuels; coal, oil and gas. Ag Mackeith’s response that we should burn less fossil fuel and invest more in renewable wind, hydro and solar, is a very level-headed response. Green energy is cheaper, won’t add to global warming and will last for ever. Fracking is a short-term dash for gas that is likely only to increase the number of times the Westgate flood reservoir will be needed.

John Tanner, Board member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford, City councillor for Littlemore & county councillor for Isis