As a follow-up to your report of the statement by Maldon District Council of a ‘climate emergency’ (Standard, February 11), I should like to amplify what countering climate change involves.

There are three lines of attack, nationally and locally and affecting institutions, businesses and individuals: first, switching technologies and equipment from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources; secondly, implementing extensive energy-conservation measures; and thirdly, reducing waste.

This last factor is usually overlooked - waste seen rather perversely sometimes as a source of energy (of minimal value).

A great deal of energy, mostly fossil-fuel-based, is used in transforming raw material, directly or indirectly, into consumer products and then transporting them, sometimes over great distances, to us in the shops or at home.

I invite readers to think of anything they do that does not involve some manufactured ‘thing’ and to consider how far it has traveled to reach them.

Economising on unnecessary, excessive or extravagant purchasing of new products and maximising recycling, repairing and restoration will help to reduce demand for energy and thus the pressure on renewable energy sources.

Christopher Swain

Mermaid Way,

Maldon