MUCH has been said and written on the subject of heavy continuous rainfall in July and August and how it affects tourism, transport, flooding of homes, shops and factories and causes landslides. But there has been nothing on farming.

Hay crops have been ruined, milling wheat has lost most of its value, the spring wheat is either "black" or flattened, and the combines could sink in the soft going. The rubbish is thriving in the fields because of the rain and warm temperatures and prices for grain are at a very low £60 a ton.

Why no apparent concern?

David Quarrie,

Linden Way,

York.

...I WAS disappointed to read the article "Global warming: fact or myth?" (Evening Press, August 12) which presented man's role in causing climate change as an issue up for debate.

Contrary to the opinions expressed by David Bellamy, climate scientists have no doubts whatsoever that we are having a significant effect on our planet's climate and that changes in the weather are not purely the result of natural variability, volcanoes, sunspots and so forth.

Mr Bellamy does not base his views on the wealth of scientific evidence available and he would struggle to have his theories published in any reputable scientific journal.

He appears to ignore the fact that climate change is already happening on a global scale with Arctic regions already being badly affected. His views are quite dangerous.

If we fail to recognise climate change as a serious threat, then we have to be prepared to see thousands of species becoming extinct over the next century, millions of environmental refugees and huge economic damage especially in developing countries that can least afford the costs of adaptation.

We no longer need to debate whether man is causing climate change. That argument has been settled years ago. We have to move on and concentrate on finding the best ways to prevent change from causing catastrophic problems.

Solutions include drastically cutting our use of fossil fuels, using energy more efficiently and switching to different forms of renewable energy including wind.

Anyone interested in learning more about the science and impact of climate change will find plenty of useful information on the New Scientist website www.newscientist.com/hottopics/climate/

Guy Wallbanks,

Co-ordinator, York and Ryedale Friends of the Earth,

Kingsway West,

York.

Updated: 11:31 Tuesday, August 17, 2004