The letter-writer cited the “obvious and increasing commercial success” of wind and solar power. Not so. Both would fail without large research and development and operating subsidies. Wind is particularly problematic due to its very low energy density, high energy and materials inputs during construction, and the decommissioning nightmare (for the taxpayer) at the end of a turbine’s short life-span. Solar is somewhat more promising, but mainly at the residential level. Both wind and solar are unable to produce energy when we need it most. We should be investing in inventing new technologies instead. Stringent pollution controls in the west caused manufacturing to move to countries with less stringent controls – we simply exported our pollution. While the west is ramping down its coal-fired power stations, China is building around 300 new ones. Burning natural gas would be much better.