SIR,

David Davies MP has a point in making a connection between environmental issues and global migration.

However, he is mistaken in saying that environmental groups, such as Friends of the Earth and the World Wildlife Fund, have ignored the issue. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

One of the biggest drivers of population displacement is, and will increasingly become, climate change.

According to the eminent climate scientist, Sir John Houghton, there will be millions of climate refugees by mid century due to rising sea levels, droughts, floods, crop failures and a widespread increase in extreme weather conditions.

The UK is better placed to withstand the worst effects of climate change than many other countries, although we are still likely to experience some very uncomfortable changes.

Nevertheless, we have a moral duty to both reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions to limit its effects, and to also prepare for the unavoidable human consequences.

I sincerely hope that Mr Davies' comments herald a sea change in his views and that he will now actively campaign for a robust Climate Change Bill, rather than use immigration as a way of diverting attention away from failed Government housing policies.

Ann Were

(Monmouth)