THE letter from John O'Reilly (Man Has Little to do With Climate Change, July 19) flies in the face of some very convincing evidence that carbon emissions are one of the major causes of the problem; his assertion that solar panels are to advertise one's moral probity is insulting; and his assertion that using solar energy equates to worshipping the sun is simply ludicrous.

Climate change is happening, it's at least partly due to human activity (that's you, me and John O'Reilly), it threatens the survival of many species, including mankind in many parts of the world, and it is simply irresponsible to stick your head in the sand. Particularly as the tide comes in a little further every day - it is already unavoidable that mean sea level in the Solent will rise by 60cm in the lifetime of those in today's birth announcements.

We must all do whatever we can to reduce carbon emissions and all other forms of pollution of our planet, but please don't recycle the kind of tosh that suggests we needn't take action.

BRIAN HOOPER, Shirley, Southampton.