YOUR report "oil soars after terror attacks" June 1, illustrates the precarious nature of our over-energy dependent economies.

The West, having diverted its attention to pursuing a senseless war against Iraq instead of tackling terrorism, has created a geo-political nightmare.

The cause of this present crisis is the profligate use of energy in the pursuit of economic growth.

Instead of local production for local needs, all economies are now becoming dominated by huge corporations that move goods and materials from one end of the earth to the other regardless of whether things can be produced locally or not.

The energy needed for the transportation and production of goods is rising at an unsustainable rate. It seems a reappraisal of our economy and society is needed before we fall into the mire of unsustainable energy consumption.

BILL HUGHES

Old Town