MANKIND is gradually moving nearer to the abyss and his own demise by making the planet less hospitable for all living things.

He is responsibility for global warming, contamination of the oceans and seas, air pollution from the output of chemical factories, the relentless burning of fossil fuels, an exploding human population and the threat from biological and nuclear weapons.

Innocent creatures and whole species are disappearing from the Earth faster than ever.

During the last 150 years of abuse and mis-use of the Earth's resources, animals, fish, birds, trees and plants have succumbed to the devastation.

Mankind needs to recognise this fact and find a means of halting and reversing this trend.

Laws need to be passed, and respected and schools worldwide should follow a curriculum which instils a more enlightened view towards environmental issues. Only then can we look forward to the pleasures of life on a planet that is both wonderful and beautiful.

Douglas A Heald,

Huntington Road,

York.

Updated: 11:36 Friday, May 02, 2003