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Let there be no complacency over fracking gas dangers Let there be no complacency over fracking gas dangers
(12 days later)
I was very surprised to read such an experienced and successful businessman as Jim Ratcliffe of Ineos make such an ill-informed comment as: “In the US they have drilled a million wells and not had an environmental incident for six years.” (“‘Fracking can be done safely. A lot of opposition is based on hearsay’”, News.) I was very surprised to read such an experienced and successful businessman as Jim Ratcliffe of Ineos make such an ill-informed comment as: “In the US they have drilled a million wells and not had an environmental incident for six years.” (“‘Fracking can be done safely. A lot of opposition is based on hearsay’”, News.)
An article in the Washington Post on 10 April reported a new study in the journal Environmental Health Perspective which revealed a “disturbing correlation” between unusually high levels of radon gas in residences and fracking. The researchers found that in the same areas of Pennsylvania as the fracking operations there were generally higher readings of radon, with about 42% of the readings higher than what is considered safe by US federal standards. Moreover, the researchers discovered that radon levels spiked overall in 2004 at about the same time fracking activity began to pick up. An article in the Washington Post on 10 April reported a new study in the journal Environmental Health Perspective which revealed a “disturbing correlation” between unusually high levels of radon gas in residences and fracking. The researchers found that in the same areas of Pennsylvania as the fracking operations there were generally higher readings of radon, with about 42% of the readings higher than what is considered safe by US federal standards. Moreover, the researchers discovered that radon levels spiked overall in 2004 at about the same time fracking activity began to pick up.
Before making his investment, I would advise Mr Ratcliffe do his own due diligence.Dr David Lowry Senior research fellowInstitute for resource and security studiesCambridge, Massachusetts Before making his investment, I would advise Mr Ratcliffe do his own due diligence.Dr David Lowry Senior research fellowInstitute for resource and security studiesCambridge, Massachusetts
Assisted dying is unthinkableAssisted dying is unthinkable
I write as a Christian and an opponent of assisted dying to disagree with your correspondents who argue: “Despite the bill’s fate, assisted dying is the compassionate way” (The Big Issue).I write as a Christian and an opponent of assisted dying to disagree with your correspondents who argue: “Despite the bill’s fate, assisted dying is the compassionate way” (The Big Issue).
The archbishop of Canterbury argues correctly that those who might feel pressured to choose assisted dying, and would become very distressed as a consequence, are far greater in number than those who might choose it entirely of their own volition. The change in culture that an assisted dying law would have created is a subjective issue that cannot be addressed by law.The archbishop of Canterbury argues correctly that those who might feel pressured to choose assisted dying, and would become very distressed as a consequence, are far greater in number than those who might choose it entirely of their own volition. The change in culture that an assisted dying law would have created is a subjective issue that cannot be addressed by law.
We are constantly told that Britain is a secular country. Yet in 2011 the Office for National Statistics found that 59.3% of the population are Christian. The church has correctly heard the concerns about assisted dying from this silent majority and the House of Commons has correctly interpreted the situation. Tristram C Llewellyn JonesRamseyIsle of Man  We are constantly told that Britain is a secular country. Yet in 2011 the Office for National Statistics found that 59.3% of the population are Christian. The church has correctly heard the concerns about assisted dying from this silent majority and the House of Commons has correctly interpreted the situation. Tristram C Llewellyn JonesRamseyIsle of Man
It is impossible to overestimate the international importance of the Liverpool and Manchester railway lineIt is impossible to overestimate the international importance of the Liverpool and Manchester railway line
Mindfulness is meaningfulMindfulness is meaningful
By attacking the marketing of mindfulness (Magazine, last week) Eva Wiseman is in danger of throwing out the proverbial baby. “Why are we so keen to turn ourselves off? Why are we are keen to stop thinking?” she asks.  By attacking the marketing of mindfulness (Magazine, last week) Eva Wiseman is in danger of throwing out the proverbial baby. “Why are we so keen to turn ourselves off? Why are we are keen to stop thinking?” she asks.
But as practitioners of mindfulness we are not. We are keen to turn ourselves on to the present moment and all it has to offer. We are keen to observe and take control of our thoughts. To be mindful, not mindless. Many people find it very useful to be guided and encouraged by an experienced helper, often with a small group of others, learning together.Rev Bob VernonCounty Clare, Ireland But as practitioners of mindfulness we are not. We are keen to turn ourselves on to the present moment and all it has to offer. We are keen to observe and take control of our thoughts. To be mindful, not mindless. Many people find it very useful to be guided and encouraged by an experienced helper, often with a small group of others, learning together.Rev Bob VernonCounty Clare, Ireland
Heading off the tracksHeading off the tracks
The Liverpool and Manchester railway ensured Manchester’s position as a world city. (“Battle to save historic rail line that heralded the age of science”, News.) It is impossible to overestimate the international importance of this line, from which sprang the travel and communication revolution that defines our modern age. Its buildings now under threat from the Ordsall Chord are as iconic to our world as Stonehenge is to the ancient past. But it needs a perceptive eye and imaginative thinking to realise that.The Liverpool and Manchester railway ensured Manchester’s position as a world city. (“Battle to save historic rail line that heralded the age of science”, News.) It is impossible to overestimate the international importance of this line, from which sprang the travel and communication revolution that defines our modern age. Its buildings now under threat from the Ordsall Chord are as iconic to our world as Stonehenge is to the ancient past. But it needs a perceptive eye and imaginative thinking to realise that.
Although the Manchester city fathers seem blind to the qualities of these precious buildings, countless others understand why the terminus of the world’s first passenger-carrying railway is of such significance. Although the Manchester city fathers seem blind to the qualities of these precious buildings, countless others understand why the terminus of the world’s first modern intercity passenger-carrying railway is of such significance.
Nobody denies the need for a new rail link in Manchester, but there are alternatives to the current scheme which would not compromise this remarkable early railway landscape so brutally. Manchester city council should consider the alternatives before despoiling a crucial element of that which made its city great.Julia EltonPast presidentThe Newcomen Society for the History of Engineering and TechnologyLondon W4Nobody denies the need for a new rail link in Manchester, but there are alternatives to the current scheme which would not compromise this remarkable early railway landscape so brutally. Manchester city council should consider the alternatives before despoiling a crucial element of that which made its city great.Julia EltonPast presidentThe Newcomen Society for the History of Engineering and TechnologyLondon W4
And the deal for Mrs Simpson?And the deal for Mrs Simpson?
Fascinating to read John Simpson’s comment (“My life as youngest in the class: how four summer babies learned to cope”, News) that the BBC “has promised I can keep working for as long as I like”. I wonder how many 71-year-old, or even 51-year-old, women at the BBC have secured similar deals?Judith DawsonLondon SW11Fascinating to read John Simpson’s comment (“My life as youngest in the class: how four summer babies learned to cope”, News) that the BBC “has promised I can keep working for as long as I like”. I wonder how many 71-year-old, or even 51-year-old, women at the BBC have secured similar deals?Judith DawsonLondon SW11
Marchers need Will powerMarchers need Will power
Will Hutton believes that we should have a sequence of citizens’ marches in support of the BBC (“The BBC is loved by the nation. It can use that power to confront the Tories”, Comment). My experience of protests is how difficult it is to get significant, if any, coverage by the BBC, although this changes if any lurking anarchists throw a brick through a window or a celebrity comes on board. Perhaps Will would like to descend from his lofty media perch, get his walking boots on, and organise such a march.David RedshawGravesend, KentWill Hutton believes that we should have a sequence of citizens’ marches in support of the BBC (“The BBC is loved by the nation. It can use that power to confront the Tories”, Comment). My experience of protests is how difficult it is to get significant, if any, coverage by the BBC, although this changes if any lurking anarchists throw a brick through a window or a celebrity comes on board. Perhaps Will would like to descend from his lofty media perch, get his walking boots on, and organise such a march.David RedshawGravesend, Kent
• This column was amended on 1 October 2015 to clarify that Manchester is the terminus of the world’s first modern intercity passenger-carrying railway, rather than the first passenger-carrying railway.