"FRANKLY, we may get to the point where the only way of saving the world will be for industrial civilisation to collapse," said Maurice Strong, head of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The 2002 Earth Summit in South Africa is under way, and I welcome moves to reduce poverty and improve all earthlings' quality of life.

However, this costly earth junket is unlikely to achieve much.

With enterprise and mobility under threat, quality of life in the UK and beyond will plummet following proposals to tax conventional energy production and private transport off the face of the planet.

In Britain, fully implementing the Kyoto-sanctioned reductions in carbon dioxide emissions will ultimately cost Britain five per cent of its gross domestic product and increase unemployment by up to one million, according to one analyst.

Already the UK has the highest level of fuel tax (duty and tax) in Europe.

Failure to implement hard-line green policies will cost us the planet, claim environmentalists, but research from across the globe totally refutes the scaremongering stories and publicity stunts used to frighten the public and so hasten politicians into compliance.

Environmental awareness should begin at home tackling the problem of indoor pollution.

Dr Jeff Llewellyn of the Government Buildings Research Establishment, pointed out some time ago that the air in the average British home is ten times more polluted than city smog.

Tackling the problem effectively could have a major impact on the nation's health. Asthma sufferers in particular would derive significant benefit.

Roger McBroom,

Westpit Lane,

Strensall,

York.

Updated: 10:35 Tuesday, August 27, 2002