John Mills' ‘Rainforest Facts' (The Sun, November 29) accusing me of error indicates a lack of knowledge, or an attempt to manipulate science to suit his viewpoint.
Through photosynthesis all green plants, especially natural forests with huge leafy canopies, absorb carbon from Co2 and release oxygen back to the atmosphere – an essential life-supporting process.
This carbon cycle is not a simple, neutral one Mr Mills implies.
The carbon is absorbed into tissues of the tree (or plant) - leaves, trunk, roots etc.
Through decay, or consumption by creatures, it becomes a part of the soil's carbon-sink or the consuming creature's body.
Coal consists of carbon absorbed from the atmosphere millions of years ago by ancient forests or peat swamps, buried through geological upheavals over time.
Similarly, oil deposits consist of carbon (originally from consumed plant-life), from bodies of creatures of past millennia.
Modern man is drawing not only on the energy we get daily from the sun – accessed chiefly via photosynthesis of plants – but also uses carbon-based fossil fuels (coal and oil), stored in past ages.
With continued deforestation, this release of additional Co2 and other green house gases, mankind is upsetting climatic conditions and temperature ranges conducive to humans and today's organisms.
Recent reports confirm my earlier statement it is the economic inequalities between nations hindering agreement on dealing with climate-change.
Disparagingly-used ‘Green' labels don't alter the seriousness of the problem facing mankind.

E Orsulich, Otumoetai.