FOR thousands of years intelligent men sought such things as the Philosopher’s Stone, which could turn dross into precious metal; the elixir of immortality; and the alkahest or universal solvent. The searches were in vain. The world needed more than a magic wand.Sadly, beliefs die hard. Would-be magicians gathered in their thousands in Paris last year.Familiarity with stoves had led them to believe that there is a kind of knob on the side the world that can be turned to control the temperature. They solemnly agreed to turn down the heat by 0.5ºC.Among the wizards, soothsayers and shamans present was your correspondent Richard Worthington (Cross-border energy deals ignore climate change goals, September 15).He would have it that sharing our most critical developmental needs with our immediate neighbours is less important than following some magic rules for turning the nonexistent knob. He is deceived.Prof Philip LloydRosebank, Cape Town
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