THE Crimean takeover by Russia has finally sparked the tit-for-tat sanctions between Russia and the European Union and America.

Visa and the like, restrictions being applied by both sides. This petty but thought necessary reaction could last for a very long time without Russia changing anything.

Russia is the main provider of energy in the form of piped gas to European countries, Germany being the main recipient . It is possible to restrict or even stop this supply.

Surely, there cannot be a stronger case for countries, Britain in particular , to concentrate more on home-produced energy.

With every effort to placate NIMBYS, fracking for gas should be a necessity.

Concentrating on advancing the chemistry for the clean burning of home produced coal should be prioritised. Even burning non-recycled waste to produce heat and/or electricity as is being done at present in Southwark, London.

J Beisly, Osprey Close, York