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The Guardian, 12th June 1997 Dear Sir or Madam, Letter for Publication. It is unfortunate that Rockall's councillor, Norman MacDonald, welcomes oil exploration on the Atlantic Frontier because of the employment it will create. (Rockall green protest gets black mark in the isles" Guardian 12th June 1997). Island communities are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Sea level rises will exacerbate the damage caused by extreme weather events. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns "Storm-surges and flooding could threaten entire [island] cultures". Ocean circulation patterns will alter, possibly dramatically, putting yet more strain on fish stocks. Indeed, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) want industrialised countries to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2005 - compared with Labour's target of 20% by 2010. Renewable sources of energy are already beginning to be developed in the Scottish islands, but much more support is needed to kick start the industry. Renewables are not just a means of meeting island energy needs. There is a growing international market for renewables waiting to be tapped, particularly in developing countries. But at the moment the UK is losing out to other European countries where there is more government support. Island communities need to start planning now for a future without oil, not just because climate change threatens their ecology, but also because a phase-out of fossil fuels in the not too distant future is inevitable. 1997 is exactly the wrong time for the Western Isles to be planning to become even more dependent on oil.
Yours faithfully,
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