Thank you for article “Forest blazes destroy balance” (M.E.N., 26 February) which clearly explained another major threat to everyone’s future.

At the moment forests turn the carbon we humans are putting into the atmosphere when we burn oil, coal and gas into wood.  They can’t keep doing that indefinitely, and when they burn down, they release the carbon.It’s a bit like having someone you thought was a rich friend paying for your mortgage, food and clothing but then when they die you discover that they were were actually passing on your debts to a loan shark. Suddenly, what you thought was okay is not at all.

We are heading for disaster. We know it. While it seems overwhelming, there are still things we can do. Manchester City Council could start to behave like a real leader, displaying honesty and the ability to listen rather than spin. It could start to convene citizens, businesses and organisations.

Dr Marc Hudson

editor Manchester Climate Monthly