Dear Editor,
I have been following your coverage of the building of new runways and the expansion of London's airports and it occurs to me that, regardless of where the new runways will be built, it seems to be a "done deal" that airport capacity in the UK and around the world is set to increase significantly.
This news and the sheer lack of questioning of the whole philosophy of "growth" and "expansion" makes me despair: The planet is straining beyond its sustainable limits and climate change is "kicking in" but all we can think about how to consume fossil fuels more quickly. It's like the captain of the Titanic demanding that the boilers be stoked and caviare be served even though water is rushing in below decks.
The whole airport debate is proof that we are trapped in a tainted mind-set which will condemn future generations to extreme hardship on a planet where ... a.) Resources have been squandered; b.) The natural world has been devastated and; c.) Climate change and climate disasters are rampant.
The fact that, on top of this, we choose to close our eyes to the obvious is a double-condemnation of our lack of conscience.
Regards
