A letter to the editor from Leonard Hoy (Dec. 4) that mentioned the English research group that supposedly doctored data about global warming failed to mention that the group in question represents only about 10 percent of the scientists who agree that global warming is real.

Even if the global warming data from that source were totally corrupt, there are many reasons for rapidly reducing this nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. Instability of oil supply, caused by wars in the Middle East, creates a threat to our national security. Poor air quality causes serious health problems for many children and older citizens. Inevitable increases in fuel prices will affect businesses and households which, in turn, will affect job creation and lead to inflation.

Serious investment in clean-energy technology, however, would reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, reduce our trade imbalance, improve air quality and create millions of jobs that wouldn’t be outsourced overseas. It might even prevent low-lying coastal areas from flooding and the resulting mass migration of people to cooler places such as Maine.

Norm LaFosse, Jay