Editor,

I am afraid that the letter from Jean Miles about the sad prospects for Fairbourne misses the point.

The people of Fairbourne are not alone. Many millions of people around the world are facing similar situations, or indeed have already been displaced by the loss of their lands.

Millions more are being displaced by the desertification of other parts of the planet. Many of them will be coming here.

The problem is global warming and consequent rises in sea level. To suggest that this can be prevented by Gwynedd Council, The Environment Agency or the Welsh Government is simplistic nonsense.

Wales leads the way in some responses to environmental problems, but global warming cannot be addressed whilst we are ruled by a Westminster government wedded to fossil fuels. It cannot be addressed until governments around the world take serious action - as some are.

Even this is not enough. We are all of us going to have to learn to do with less, do smarter, and do without. Especially in the West that disproportionately uses the world’s fossil fuels. Without changing our habits, global warming will not be survivable.

Not quite true. Old codgers like me, who are largely responsible for the situation, will probably live out a natural lifespan. Our children and grandchildren will not.

Tony Lovelock, 5 Glandwr Terrace, Glanypwll, Blaenau Ffestiniog.

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