Sir - I was interested to read the letter by Gerard McCrum (August 10) about burning our rubbish in an incinerator. Mr McCrum is correct that incinerators generate electricity by burning waste. However such incinerators (electricity only units), produce a third more greenhouse gases than an equivalent power station burning gas.
Given the importance of tackling climate change by reducing our greenhouse emissions then incineration is not the technology of the future, but the past.
We need to move to a low-carbon economy, and energy from natural sources like wind, wave and the sun can, along with energy efficiency measures allow us to do this. These technologies are available today, and they can meet our energy needs without recourse to burning our rubbish.
Andrew Wood, Oxford Friends of the Earth
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article