Sir, – We are acutely aware of the problems facing planet Earth. Climate change requires solutions to carbon storage. Loss of biodiversity needs a regeneration of the natural environment.
Now the EPA has confirmed that our water quality continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate (Home News, December 10th).
We know that we need a big effort to increase our forestry to mitigate climate change. Planting belts of native trees along our river courses will prevent the nitrates and phosphates from polluting as well as acting as a long-term carbon sink.
Biodiversity and wildlife corridors will increase and, of course, trees will help mitigate flooding incidents.
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Future carbon tax could be used to financially protect landowners from any loss of income during this long-term investment.
Only in the past few years have the various agencies come together with the farming interests and others to formulate policy in this area. It will take at least 20 years to see progress for this solution so it’s hard to see how a multi-agency can get going quickly. May I suggest that we give this simple and straightforward plan to our school children to champion – they seem to better understand the need for urgency. – Yours, etc,
BOB WEMYSS,
Thomastown,
Co Kilkenny.