Rewilding has considerable potential, especially as tribal peoples and some others have shown that limited exploitation is possible (“The Dartmoor lynx has ‘rewilded’ itself. Should Britain follow suit?”, Comment).
The impact of farming can also be dramatically reduced by less intensive practices and the two approaches can clearly be combined. Anyone panicking about food production should look at the staggering amounts of waste in current practices; the IMechE’s “Waste Not, Want Not” estimates that at least 30% of global production never reaches shops or markets, while the food wasted in production, inept use, shops, homes, restaurants and on airlines beggars belief. Sadly, there are obvious reasons why such ideas will not be adopted .
First , markets emphasise short-term profits; if you can wreck a rainforest (or anywhere else) for a quick buck, so be it. Second, enthusiasm for conservation and improved farming practices is widespread until time, money, effort and/or some impact on western choice and convenience are requested. If this seems cynical, look at the widespread praise for Ecuador’s Yasuni initiative, involving not extracting oil from a national park. Some compensation was naturally requested from wealthier countries, firms and individuals; it was, predictably, not forthcoming.
Finally, there is the philosophy of unlimited growth but without handling its effects. The idea of having enough seems impossible for mainstream policies despite the old joke: “You can’t have everything – where would you put it?”
Iain Climie
Whitchurch
Hants
Role of religion in a democracy
While polygamy may well be “an affront to women”, Philip Wood shouldn’t confuse or compare sharia law with “unelected clergy in the House of Lords” and faith schools (Letters).
His implied criticism of Church of England free schools, when it’s the government that wants to call them “free”, perhaps demonstrates some lack of knowledge of our history.
The churches and, in particular, the Anglican church, owned the vast majority of the nation’s schools and teacher training colleges, long after the great Education Act of 1870. Before then, the country was indebted to the churches for providing almost all elementary education.
Also, although an elected second chamber is certainly desirable, it seems sensible to have representatives of faith groups involved, especially the Anglican church, providing a link of 1,000 years with the past. Mr Wood may want to be “rigorously secular in our civic realm for the common good of all”, but many of us prefer to live in a democratic society in which our religious heritage is preserved.
Alan Wild
Birmingham
How Cameron lost the plot
I cannot believe the superficiality shown by David Cameron in his last appearance in the House of Commons (“Cameron had six years to change Britain. So what did he achieve?”, News). In an atmosphere of self-congratulation and bonhomie, he behaved as if nothing had changed. Does he really not understand the disaster he has brought upon the country?
The Spartan statesman Lycurgus wrote that when the gods are angry with men, they make them lose their reason. This is what happened to Tony Blair, who lost his reason over Iraq, and Cameron, who lost his over Europe. When are we going to get leaders who are not going to risk the country’s future for their own agendas? I wish Theresa May well but fear her government will be overwhelmed by the aftermath of Cameron’s misjudgment.
Jeremy Dummett
London N4
Strong links with neighbours
The democratic argument for staying “as close to the EU as possible” is even stronger than Will Hutton implies (“Why Brexit may be a deadly experiment for science”, Comment). Out of every 25 people who voted in the referendum, 13 were for Brexit and 12 for remain. In 1975, 67% voted to remain in the EEC. The 2016 result was, by contrast, very close. If we are to be the one nation that Theresa May says she is seeking and if her government is committed to reflecting that, then, on democratic grounds, even if there is no second referendum, the negotiations should aim to preserve the strongest links with our erstwhile partners.
Professor Ron Glatter
Hemel Hempstead
Herts
Keep your eye on Scotland
Theresa May’s new cabinet got plenty of coverage in the Observer last week, but only Toby Helm and Andrew Rawnsley mention her relations with Scotland, and then very briefly.
Her visit to Nicola Sturgeon was her first journey as PM outside England. We want to hear more about this conversation, especially as Scots have already made it clear that they want to be in the EU, even though it means leaving the UK, then spending perhaps five years getting full EU membership.
Yet England’s future with Scotland must be central for those Leavers who said they wanted to “make Britain great again” – echoes of Donald Trump? This area needs a lot more coverage.
Robin Minney
Witton Gilbert
Co Durham
