Steve Skinner thinks it’s vital to engage with people who hold different views, while Claire Whatley notes an unfortunate advert placement alongside a Greta Thunberg article
I can’t disagree with any of the ideas put forward by writers and activists (‘Stop setting things on fire’: nine great ideas to save the planet, 8 October) in the article published alongside the extract from Greta Thunberg’s book (Greta Thunberg on the climate delusion: ‘We’ve been greenwashed out of our senses. It’s time to stand our ground’, 8 October). However, one that I think is missing is to engage with the sceptics. Today climate change is just one of several topics that goes into the “woke” basket and therefore attracts toxicity from both sides. The divisions are harmful whatever the topic, but I think climate change is so critical that it has to force itself above the vitriol.
It’s easy to throw brickbats at the other side, but that isn’t going to change their minds. Instead, we need to start “dining across the divide” on this issue, except in this case the stakes are much higher. I think we need to drive out the key disagreements and go through them line by line until they’re not disagreements any more. It will be a long and painful task, but as long as there are sceptics whispering in the ear of enough politicians, we will never get the right policies.
Steve Skinner
Thornbury, Bristol
The extract from Greta Thunberg’s The Climate Book was intelligent, honest and hard-hitting, and should be essential reading for every world leader and, indeed, every adult on the planet. However, my jaw dropped as I turned the page halfway through the article in your Saturday magazine to discover a full-page advertisement for expedition cruises to the Galápagos Islands – “Flights included from the UK”. The two biggest threats to the Galápagos and the critically endangered animals that still exist there are the climate crisis and tourism. I’m sure the irony won’t have escaped Ms Thunberg.
Claire Whatley
Berwick St James, Wiltshire
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