Shale game

These indicate several centuries’ worth of coal, oil and gas; for the latter, probably more, when methane hydrates are tapped.

Uranium is not a fossil fuel but more than 99 per cent of its world’s resource is in the oceans from which it can, in due course, be mined.

This would supply the world at current usage and with fast breeder technology, for millions of years and is obviously the future, notwithstanding the negative attitude expressed by some of our populist-seeking political hierarchy. Renewables of wind and wave are expensive, unreliable and require enormous areas of ground and sea. They cannot operate without fossil fuel back-up to the full extent of electricity demand.

(Prof) Tony Trewavas

Scientific Alliance Scotland

North Street David Street

Edinburgh

Peter Jones wrote an excellent article on fracking and the benefits for Scotland (Perspective, 17 December). Roger Meachem says there are “dwindling amounts of fossil fuel”.

Cynical propaganda by the green lobby aims to frighten people with its one-sided views on shale gas extraction.

A British Geological Survey report revealed that the UK’s shale gas reserves are truly staggering with the potential to reverse economic decline and make the UK a net exporter of energy and no longer be reliant on unstable foreign suppliers.

The £3 trillion of shale gas reserves is enough to supply electricity for 141 years (your report, 13 August).

America has reduced its CO2 emissions by using gas instead of coal. European countries realise they have a valuable source of energy beneath their feet and are now exploiting or exploring for shale gas.

What is not to like in cutting energy bills, reducing fuel poverty, attracting investment and creating thousands of Scottish jobs?

As Peter Jones suggests, run Longannet power station on gas and there would be no need for another 1,000 wind turbines.

Clark Cross

Springfield Road

Linlithgow