Madam,

In a recent episode of Poldark, in his maiden parliamentary speech, George Warleggan justifies slavery by claiming its economic importance is paramount, and the African slaves little better than beasts of burden.

Susanna Kenyon highlights how the Welsh Assembly performs an adroit, hypocritical Pontius Pilate act, in claiming that exploitation of oil and gas in Cardigan Bay is controlled by Westminster (letters, Cambrian News, 8 August), despite that same Assembly declaring a climate emergency.

Clearly, the economic importance of the fossil fuel industry is considered paramount, and the natural world and its inhabitants expendable, like those poor, African slaves.

I am forcibly reminded of a workmate, a construction tradesman, whose father had been financially astute, bequeathing his son property. I one day overheard that young man, a likable fellow, discussing the investment opportunities of a natural disaster somewhere in the world, seemingly untouched by the tragedy of the situation.

Those who control national policy are likewise impervious to the environmental and social consequences of their greed, and that of their associates, and have the wealth to insulate themselves from it, New Zealand being a favourite bolt hole.

The same people scorning Greta Thunberg, ridiculing her autism and ‘strange demeanor’, unable to see how their reaction is cowardly and infantile, and totally counterproductive. Those who admire Greta, schoolchildren and adults, should remember the global School Strike on 20 September. Let us be active custodians of this wonderful world.

Yours etc, Roger Louvet, Porthmadog.

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