ANNA Young makes valuable points about the need for our leaders to choose a different direction if we are to avoid an even greater crisis than Covid-19 (Keighley News letters, May 28).

The impact of the pandemic has hit our society hard, with many families paying a tragic price.

The threat of the climate crisis will be even greater, and we will not be able to self-isolate from its devastating impact.

The flooding in Yorkshire in recent winters should remind us that climate change is already here and we must take urgent action to prevent more frequent and destructive occurrences that impact on us all.

At a time when scientists are telling us that we must reduce the burning of fossil fuels – such as those used in aviation – to slow down the warming of the planet, I am angered to see that Leeds Bradford Airport has submitted a planning application to expand the airport.

The proposal is to almost double its passenger capacity over the next ten years, with more flights over longer hours.

While our council leaders can be applauded for their commitments to reduce carbon (Bradford joined Leeds Council in declaring a climate emergency and a target to achieve net zero carbon in Leeds City Region by 2038), it becomes a meaningless gesture if said leaders approve the expansion of our local airport and flights are increased to accommodate the seven million passengers per year that is proposed, with the resulting increase in noise, air pollution and traffic.

The planning application makes a big show of the green credentials of the airport, but it hardly matters how energy efficient the building is, if it is there to facilitate a dramatic increase in carbon-emitting flights required to pay for it.

We should question if there will even be a market for such an increase in a post Covid-19 world where we have found business meetings can be held online and family finances will be paying the price of a broken economy for years.

British Airways recently cancelled its route between Leeds Bradford and Heathrow, a sign that airlines have already reviewed the demand for flights in the new economy.

I hope our leaders will learn lessons from the current crisis and pay some respect to the scientific warnings and the signs from our precious planet to act before it is too late.

The planning application is open for comments until June 16.

ANNIE BERRINGTON, Hainworth Village, Keighley

* Email your letters to alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk