[We can't afford not to tackle AGW]

Hi P3

Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I didn't explain myself very well...What concerns me the most is some very large, important decisions are being made by governments with regard to climate change, the latest of which is the Stern Report. The Telegraph article I referred to questions the level of impact that we as a species have caused. I do understand the theories behind GW and have spent many, many hours reading reputable scientific papers and research, many of which are extremely conflicting. Perhaps due to my lack of knowledge or experience, I have been looking in the wrong place; but there appears to be an overwhelming bias in the level of research towards the problem being man-made rather than a natural cyclical phenomena. Magalomania: the belief that you are much more important and powerful than you really are. I merely question, is this appropriate? So often I read articles in the general press, the scientific community and indeed on this forum which "shout down" any impact that say for arguments sake the Solar cycle has on our climate. I would argue that our lack of understanding or ability to correlate the data does not mean it has no significance. You are correct in that my being a gardener I do know my actions have an impact upon plants and a garden in general, I also can equate that to mankinds impact upon the globe but being an outdoors person I also know that no matter what I do, Mother Nature wins out and year on year there are cycles. Scale it up to global proportions and I still believe too little attention is being paid to natural causes. The climate is changing, that is indisputable but our lack of understanding and the innate fear this generates in a species who are used to being in control, is, I believe giving us tunnel vision. The issues of GW and problems it may cause may be just around the corner or they may be years away but already the publicity and rising panic is impacting upon decisions I have to make. As part of my working life I manage two grade 11 listed estates, one of 17 acres, the other of 69 acres all of which are covered by blanket Tree Preservation orders, no tree can be planted or cut down without the consent of the powers that be. One of the estates is approached via a half mile long drive flanked either side with mature beech trees - circa 1650, I want to plant in between the trees another avenue which will supercede the present one as it reaches the end of it's life. Thus maintaining the historical integrity of the estate and ensuring my grandchildren, their grandchildren etc will experience the beauty that our generation has seen. English Heritage veto the planting of any Beech trees on the basis that being shallow rooted they will not survive the impending climate disaster. This in turn has a knock on effect in the food chain with the loss of habitat of that particular species. I'm sure in the grand scheme of things, it's of little importance but the landscape which surrounds us including the countryside didn't happen by accident, it was planted. In a couple of hundred years time I would like future generations to have the diversity of plant and animal life that we all enjoy. Trying to decipher the realistic from the overblown hysteria in all the publicity and scientific papers around is my only aim, any input would be welcomed.

[We can't afford not to tackle AGW]

Hi Folks, I've been a lurker for a couple of years but never posted before. Being a professional gardener, the weather impacts my daily life, for good or bad. When it comes to climate change issues, I admit it confuses the hell out of me, so many differing opinions and arguements from both sides of the fence, it's often difficult to gain any insight. Fundamentally my instinct says mankinds desire to believe we have conquered mother nature and are now over-riding it smacks of meglomania gone mad however...there is, I agree too much evidence to the contrary to ignore it entirely. In today's Telegraph there is an interesting article debating the Stern report and debunking much of the science used. I'd say without exception all the people on here have a much greater understanding of the climate issues than myself and wondered if there is any truth in the Telegraph report or is it again just a load of hyped twaddle? Any thoughts?

p.s If I've posted this in the wrong section, I apologise, please be gentle, it's my first time

p.p.s Is this now in the right place????

[Met Office Winter forecast - Updated Feb 6th]

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Hi Folks, I've been a lurker for a couple of years but never posted before. Being a professional gardener, the weather impacts my daily life, for good or bad. When it comes to climate change issues, I admit it confuses the hell out of me, so many differing opinions and arguements from both sides of the fence, it's often difficult to gain any insight. Fundamentally my instinct says mankinds desire to believe we have conquered mother nature and are now over-riding it smacks of meglomania gone mad however...there is, I agree too much evidence to the contrary to ignore it entirely. In today's Telegraph there is an interesting article debating the Stern report and debunking much of the science used. I'd say without exception all the people on here have a much greater understanding of the climate issues than myself and wondered if there is any truth in the Telegraph report or is it again just a load of hyped twaddle? Any thoughts?

p.s If I've posted this in the wrong section, I apologise, please be gentle, it's my first time