I REFER to the report, "Hacked e-mail reveal climate 'trickery'" (my paper, November 23).

It said that some climate change sceptics and bloggers claim that information contained in the e-mail messages leaked from the University of East Anglia shows that scientists have overstated the case on global warming, and contains proof of data manipulation.

Is global warming for real?

The controversy - and evidence gathering - rages on.

I used to be concerned about saving the environment, and would recycle my plastic bags whenever possible.

However, with Western big businesses hyping global warming to the hilt, one is forced to take a step back and reflect on the furore surrounding climate change.

There are companies which are jumping on the "green" bandwagon for big bucks - after all, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Also, a whole host of supporting industries has mushroomed in the wake of the green movement.

Public-relations companies specialising in green PR overnight, and hybrid cars and eco-houses have become the next "in" thing.

Should the "global sauna" prove to be a hoax, a lot of people would lose their jobs.

But what if the crisis is real?

Opportunists are not doing the green cause any favours with slick marketing.

The layman does not know what to believe when conspiracy theories abound.

In times such as these, we are meant to turn to the experts. But even they are at each other's throats.

Let us follow our instincts.

Deforestation is a real threat.

No one in his or her right mind could believe that the destruction of rainforests and ecosystems would benefit mankind.

Would it kill us to use fewer plastic bags?

Still, it is time for climate change experts to get their act together, or global warming would be upon us sooner than we think.

MS LEONA LO

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