Sir - It is unfortunate that Mr Tyce in his letter (November 2) does not have a sense of humour which would enable him to enjoy the fun illustration of underwear on a washing line.

It is surprising that he himself has failed to notice the abnormally erratic weather patterns in recent years. When before have we experienced floods, hurricanes, droughts and so much other extreme weather in one year?

What is more surprising and unfortunate is his inability to face the facts as agreed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the national science academies of the G8 +5 and the vast majority of the scientific community, namely that climate change is largely attributable to human activity. In addition when insurers and business people start to plan for climate change, as they are doing, you can be certain they are basing their decisions on more than just a whim.

Mr Tyce reminds me of committed smokers over the years, desperately clinging to propaganda produced by tobacco companies denying links to cancer and respiratory diseases. However contributing to climate change by having a high-energy lifestyle will affect the poorest people in the world more than those of us privileged to live in Oxford. Get real Mr Tyce or are you also a member of the Flat Earth Society?

Thalia Carr, Oxford