Sir,- Your June 30th edition carries three articles that neatly capture Ireland’s climate dilemma. Fintan O’Toole reminds us that the climate crisis is unfolding exactly as scientists predicted (“Feel the heat. We are living in the future we were warned of,” Opinion). Eamon Ryan argues that smarter use of electricity can help cut emissions (“How Ireland can make electricity cheap again – and help cut emissions,” Opinion). Yet, in the same edition, we learn that the Government intends to extend the temporary reduction in fuel excise duties until Budget 2027.The contradiction could hardly be starker. We acknowledge the science, we understand the solutions, yet we continue to make fossil fuels artificially cheaper whenever political pressure mounts.Climate policy cannot succeed if every difficult decision is abandoned at the first sign of opposition. Leadership means explaining why change is necessary, not postponing it because it is unpopular.If Ireland is serious about reducing emissions, its actions must begin to match its rhetoric. Otherwise, the loudest voices will continue to dictate policy, and the climate will continue to pay the price. – Yours, etc,John Macfarlane,Model Farm Road,Cork.Sir – Fintan O’Toole’s article was excellent. It reminded me that inaction on climate change is a perfect example of “boiled frog syndrome”: if a frog is placed in slowly heated water, it supposedly fails to notice the temperature change until it is too late and is boiled alive. Likewise, our Government responds to environmental degradation, frequent storms and rising temperatures with small measures instead of urgent action. Because these changes are gradual, meaningful intervention is repeatedly delayed. By the time the full scale of this existential threat looms over society, it will be too late. Ireland is not alone in this; every country must act in unison. It was done during the Covid crisis, and it can be done in response to climate change. In this context, Trump’s repeated claim that climate change is a hoax is a crime against humanity. – Yours, etc,Mike Finegan,Rathfarnham,Dublin 14.Sir, – Richard Barrett’s logic (Letters, July 3rd) concerning any changes he might make to reduce his personal contribution to climate change leads him to conclude that “until there is a moratorium on all further data centres, I think I might as well carry on behaving as I please”. This attitude, which is widespread, demonstrates perfectly why I ended my letter (Letters, July 1st) with the suggestion that if the sun were sending us any message, it might well be “You’re toast”. If we are not prepared to change our own behaviour for the benefit of our planet, how can we argue that anyone else should either, whether they are opening data centres, removing caps on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport or anything else.?It is just too convenient to say that until others act, I will do nothing. Perhaps, instead of regarding changes to his lifestyle as “personal sacrifices”, Barrett could consider them as his personal contribution to doing whatever he can, however small, to care for the precious planet he and I are lucky enough to inhabit. Alternatively we can all just carry on marching towards a very unpleasant future, not just for ourselves but for the myriad of other astounding species that enrich our world. I predict that placards bearing the words “It’s all someone else’s fault” will be in great demand. – Yours, etc,Katherine Quirke,Dún Laoghaire,Co Dublin.