Put the planet before GDP growth | Letters

It is imperative to curb the use of fossil fuels, whatever the economic cost, writes Michael Bassey, while Christopher Tanner wonders what it will take for leaders to act

The question asked in your editorial (11 October), whether the growth of real GDP is too destabilising for global ecosystems", is answered by Nemonte Nenquimo in the heading to her letter addressed to world leaders (This is my message to the western world - your civilisation is killing life on Earth, 12 October).

It is atmospheric carbon dioxide, liberated by burning fossil fuels, in industry, in our homes and by travel, that is the major cause of the destabilisation of global ecosystems.