I read with interest Erin’s letter, Save our planet, in a recent edition of the Watford Observer (August 23). At the age of nine, she has certainly done a lot of research, no doubt through her parents or school teacher, but I cannot help thinking she has spent a vast amount of time surfing the internet with some kind of help.

READ MORE: Letter: Save our planet

On reading her letter thoroughly, she hasn’t in all honesty told us anything we don’t already know and her views are much the same as all those thousands of other individuals who care about the planet. Once in a while, youngsters of about Erin’s age have appeared on local TV news bulletins, expressing their concerns, but are we honestly expected to exclaim to our relatives and friends, ‘oh what kind, considerate children?’ I also beg to question whether they are living the lives of normal nine-year-olds. These days it goes without saying that thousands of schoolchildren spend so much time on computers, mobile phones and tablets. If the likes of Erin do get out to play in the park or wherever, have they often thought about doing something for the environment such as picking up litter, as there is certainly plenty of it around?

As far as Erin’s suggestion that we should use bamboo toothbrushes if we don’t already, where on earth are such implements available, as I’ve not seen any in establishments such as Boots or Superdrug and am not prepared to spend the best part of a day looking for one? So I will stick to my plastic one, much to Erin’s disappointment. What next, will she expect us all to use cutlery made from bamboo in the not-too-distant future? I think all this is a step too far. She also suggests that we should go to a bakery to buy bread, as it is generally wrapped in paper, rather than plastic. Much to Erin’s dismay, I think that plastic is very useful as far as food waste is concerned, for her information I don’t have a compost heap and have no reason to want one. I place my food waste which amounts to very little in an empty bread bag. Most of my relatives and friends use large plastic sacks; can Erin honestly think of a better way of disposing food waste? Putting food even into a large paper bag is totally unacceptable, which would cause the bottom of the bag to split.

I do feel sorry for Erin and most of today’s other youngsters come to that, as they will never have the same experiences as most of us did when we were her age, when we spent any free time playing outside, running around and exploring things.

I’d be interested to know whether Erin has any intention of visiting Legoland, if she hasn’t already. It certainly is a plastic-oriented tourist attraction, and has been a firm favourite for family outings for as long as I can remember and will continue to remain a popular attraction for several years to come. If she decided to visit a pop concert when she is older, would she be willing to help pick up some litter after such an event is over?

Erin, her friends and parents no doubt will probably regard me as a right old-fashioned fuddy duddy but believe me, I do care about the planet and no doubt do thousands of other people but there is only so much one can do.

Erin stated in her letter that we may even prove scientists and other specialists wrong in predicting that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish (by weight). In the circumstances therefore, dare I tactfully suggest that as far as a career is concerned, she might think about studying science and who knows, she may obtain a first class degree.

Should she be successful, she could be the perfect ambassador by putting the world to rights as far as climate change is concerned.

Sue Goddard

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