I read Peter Poole's letter on the environmental lobby with great interest (Letters, March 12).

On this subject, I admit to being blinkered, prejudiced and narrow minded. I've made my mind up and, like Al Gore and Prince Charles, I believe the environment is our number one concern, vastly overshadowing terrorism.

We have ravaged and polluted the earth - we have grossly fouled our own nest. The carbon footprint accounts for much of the damage - whether from planes, cars or other sources. Likewise methane from cattle grazing in cleared, vast country-sized tracts in South America. The deforestation in Asia and elsewhere is another factor.

We're becoming like our stunted, unhealthy, short-lived ancestors - with different plagues and maladies.

  • Martin J Farmer, Keymer Road Hassocks