Big carbon footyprint
Letter to the Scotsman, Saturday, 3 May 2008
Have the Champions League organisers considered the carbon footyprint of their forthcoming all-English final - 7,000-odd return miles from the home country of the fans and participants?
Over 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be emitted from flights alone, which scientists believe have at least twice as much potency in the upper atmosphere than if they were emitted at ground level.
Although half of the fans may expect an all-nighter in the Russian capital, energy to power 20,000 hotel nights will emit hundreds more climate-damaging tonnes of gas. Carbon is one thing. A cost of £500 per head is probably conservative. A pragmatic move of the final to Wembley could not only avoid these carbon emissions, but also save £20 million of unnecessary expense.
CHARLIE HENDERSON, Brunton Gardens, Edinburgh