Re: ‘Leave climate change to the experts!' letter by David Maxfield (The Weekend Sun, November 11)

In his recent letter, questioning the opinions of David Hardy, David Maxfield advises readers to accept the various sources of expertise that he promotes and he then makes disparaging comments on those he calls 'armchair critics” who listen to 'certain presenters on talkback radio.”

In so doing he shows a complete lack of tolerance to any with contrary opinions. He quotes various expert sources. Mr Maxfield, for all of the expert sources you present, those whom you would regard as climate deniers, but who are climate sceptics, could produce an equal number of distinguished and irrefutable experts who have opinions contrary to yours.

Many of these ‘sceptics' agree that there is a period of Global Warming but do not accept the outrageously exaggerated claims of many of the former experts. Where are the extreme temperatures and sea levels that in 1970 were forecast for 2000? How correct have Al Gore's cataclysmic predictions proved to be?

I would suggest that your advice, Mr Maxfield to readers, should be to seek and evaluate many sources, objectively and then form conclusions. Technical scepticism, open debate and free speech may lead to more practical solutions of the problems.

Bryan Johnson, Omokoroa.