I can’t disagree with any of the ideas put forward by writers and activists (‘Stop setting things on fire’: nine great ideas to save the planet, 8 October) in the article published alongside the extract from Greta Thunberg’s book (Greta Thunberg on the climate delusion: ‘We’ve been greenwashed out of our senses. It’s time to stand our ground’, 8 October). However, one that I think is missing is to engage with the sceptics. Today climate change is just one of several topics that goes into the “woke” basket and therefore attracts toxicity from both sides. The divisions are harmful whatever the topic, but I think climate change is so critical that it has to force itself above the vitriol.
It’s easy to throw brickbats at the other side, but that isn’t going to change their minds. Instead, we need to start “dining across the divide” on this issue, except in this case the stakes are much higher. I think we need to drive out the key disagreements and go through them line by line until they’re not disagreements any more. It will be a long and painful task, but as long as there are sceptics whispering in the ear of enough politicians, we will never get the right policies.
Steve Skinner
Thornbury, Bristol
