LettersRealistically, we can’t just stop oil, but we can use less energy

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The United Kingdom is in the news as Just Stop Oil protesters disrupt the Ashes cricket tests. It is not that clear exactly what the protesters want as the crude oil pumped from the ground is refined into a number of products which at present have no alternative. The main ones relate to transport.

Although Hong Kong has lost its status as the world’s busiest container port, it is still very busy, and ships rely on fossil fuels. Although lower-emission types are available, it will take many years before all ships use them.

The same applies to planes. Hong Kong airport may lose its status as a hub, but it will still be busy, and planes rely on aviation kerosene. There is no real alternative.

Finally, we come to road vehicles. Our heavy good vehicles use diesel and, as far as I know, there is again no alternative that can change that overnight. Smaller cars and vans are a mixture of petrol and electric vehicles. However, the number of electric vehicles remains small and one reason is that recharging can be a problem.