DEAR EDITOR, - It was disappointing to see the Western Telegraph, in its questions to the local parliamentary candidates (May 4th), perpetuate the myth that the environment and the economy work against each other.

Substantial evidence now exists to demonstrate that good environmental practices benefit the economy and jobs.

Internationally, a study by the Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation concluded that environmental policies have a positive overall effect on employment.

In the UK, for instance, official figures show that environmental technology industries are now worth £25 billion and employ around 400,000 people. And measures introduced to save energy in the home have, according to the National Audit Office, created 5,000 jobs a year.

In Wales, it has been estimated that environmental activity accounts for one in six of all jobs and is worth almost £9 billion each year to the Welsh economy. An example of this is the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, which is estimated to generate over £14 million annually and to support around 560 jobs.

Although at the time of the Orimulsion controversy some loud voices in the county were predicting economic doom and gloom if the project did not go ahead, the Pembrokeshire economy has in fact strengthened and unemployment has fallen since the proposal failed.

With climate change being increasingly recognised as the biggest threat we face this century, much greater emphasis will have to be placed on good environmental practices and cleaner technologies. These could also present economic opportunities.

This has been recognised by Lord Oxburgh, the chairman of Shell UK, who said last month that global warming and the changing energy situation represent a business opportunity 'except to those who insist on doing business with their heads in the sand' (Sunday Telegraph, April 17th, 2005).

GORDON JAMES Brynheulog, Llanfallteg.