February 7, 2001 16:25: I agree with Paul Jeffery's observations (Cars not the major problem, (Times, Feb.1) about global warming and would like to add to it from a wider perspective.

According to the Gaia Hypothesis, the earth is a living entity which regulates climatic conditions conducive to its own survival.

But modern man is a rogue species, at odds with other living things, because it uses a different yardstick money.

The ultimate effect of this is best illustrated by the fable of King Midas who acquired the ability of turning into gold everything he touched.

In no time he was the richest man on earth, but found he could not feed himself. He pleaded for his magic touch to be taken away from him, and became a wiser monarch.

Governments tend to suffer from the midas syndrome. Our Chancellor of the Exchequer employs a panel of six economic advisors, who are not always in

agreement. This allows Gordon Brown to select whichever argument suits him best.

In contrast, our Prime Minister has only one independent environmental advisor (Jonathon Porritt), who is expected to know all the answers to every problem. But when he offers unpalatable advice, he is ignored.

John Carpenter

Queens Walk

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