THE BBC Panorama programme The Truth About Smart Meters describes the scandalous ineptitude of the Westminster government’s planning (or lack thereof) in converting Britain’s electricity and gas meters from dumb to smart.
An early decision was taken to connect meters in the greater part of England via the mobile telephone network, with those in Scotland and the north of England connecting by radio. Generally, communication via the mobile network is reliable, while radio communication is often problematical.
READ MORE: UK Government confirms review of smart meter roll-out as Scots hit with issues
Thus while the vast majority of smart meters work in the greater part of England, a large number in Scotland and the north of England don’t. As a result, tens of thousands of consumers in Scotland are in regular communication with their suppliers, seeking a fix for their non-working smart meter, when in most cases their supplier is powerless to help, having been forced by government diktat to use an inadequate communication medium. This has been the situation for several years.
For all of those affected who have a decent mobile signal at their premises (ie the vast majority) the obvious thing to do would be to swap their radio-connecting meters with meters connecting by mobile telephony. This requires no infrastructural investment, but nothing is done. Why? Maybe because those “in the north” don’t really matter and can be ignored. If such a situation pertained in London and the Home Counties you can bet your boots that prompt remedial action would be taken. Not for the poor Scots though, who are doubly-damned; we generate most of Britain’s cheap renewable energy but have to pay a higher tariff for it than “those in the south”, and in addition we are unable to access cheap off-peak rates because our smart meters don’t work by Westminster decree.
We urgently need some high-level representation – from a Scottish Government maybe?
Ken Gow
Banchory
IS it just me, or are there other contributors to your letter column scratching their heads in disbelief?
I’m watching the comings and goings at COP29 and I think I must be missing something. I’ve just counted at least three BBC presenters, not forgetting the camera men plus sound recordists, giving their spiel from the foyer of the hall, and I’m thinking this is a climate conference – what’s their carbon footprint on their expedition to Azerbaijan?
READ MORE: Keir Starmer pledges 81 per cent gas emissions cut by 2035 at COP29
Not only that, all the great and good in politics again seem unable to use their considerable intellect (ha ha) and their numerous advisers to realise that they are causing more pollution by travelling when they could easily achieve their objectives remotely. I suppose it was naive of me to think that Starmer and his entourage might refuse all that free wining and dining courtesy of the taxpayer and set an example by putting the planet first!
Keith Taylor
via email
A CHILLING prospect looms large over our planet’s future: the imminent collapse of a crucial ocean current system, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This vital system, akin to a global conveyor belt, regulates heat distribution across the globe. However, mounting scientific evidence suggests that this critical mechanism is weakening, potentially triggering catastrophic consequences.
Historical records reveal that during the Last Interglacial, a period of elevated global temperatures, the AMOC experienced a significant disruption. This event led to a cascade of climate disruptions, including abrupt temperature shifts and extreme weather patterns. Scientists warn that we may be on the verge of a similar crisis, as rising global temperatures accelerate the melting of Arctic ice and disrupt the delicate balance of ocean currents.
READ MORE: 'Good global citizen' Scotland funds cholera vaccine testing in Africa
A recent surge in scientific research underscores the urgency of this issue. The rapid decline of glaciers and ice sheets, particularly in Greenland and Antarctica, is fuelling concerns about rising sea levels and further destabilisation of the AMOC. The Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the “Doomsday Glacier,” poses a significant threat, as its potential collapse could trigger a rapid surge in sea-level rise.
The implications of an AMOC collapse are far-reaching and potentially devastating. Europe, which relies on the current to moderate its climate, could experience a significant cooling, leading to harsher winters and disrupted agricultural patterns. Additionally, changes in ocean circulation could alter rainfall patterns, impacting global food production and water resources.
The scientific community is sounding the alarm, urging immediate action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and curb global warming. While the exact timing and severity of an AMOC collapse remain uncertain, the potential consequences are too grave to ignore. As we approach a critical tipping point, the need for decisive action to safeguard our planet’s climate has never been more urgent.
Alan Hinnrichs
Dundee
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