Pinker fails to see why growth cannot carry on

I find it odd for six pages to be dedicated to someone who appears completely unaware of the direct correlation between fossil fuel use (coal, oil and natural gas) and “enlightenment” and “progress” (Pinker’s progress, 8 October). Economic growth, as well as population growth, have been enabled by the extraction of the energy embedded within fossil fuels. Now we’re reaching the limits of the easily accessible sources, which is why growth cannot continue on the path it took during the last few centuries, and will most likely destabilise many societies. This is not to mention the consequences of the carbon emissions associated with fossil fuel extractions, which are well covered in this magazine. Gaetan Baillieul Rosewell, Scotland, UK