Those complaining about the impact on UK pensions as a result of BP’s falling share price need to see the larger picture. Peak oil is approaching, ie the time when half of the world’s oil reserves have been used up.

Oil is already becoming harder to find and more expensive to extract. More risks are being taken to extract oil from locations previously avoided because of the complexities involved.

The unfolding catastrophe created by BP in deep waters in the Gulf of Mexico is just a first example of what is to come.

If we don’t move away from fossil fuels we can expect more such incidents in the future.

If they don’t damage our pensions they will be destroying the environment, killing wildlife, costing jobs in coastal communities, wrecking tourism, and decimating fish stocks.

There are two alternatives: either we insist that the oil companies spend a fortune in ensuring deep sea drilling is safe, and pay much more for our petrol, or we move away from fossil fuels.

Instead of whinging about the importance of BP to UK pensions, we must create a low-carbon economy that is not dependent on fossil fuels.

Coun Christian Vassie, Blake Court, Wheldrake, York.