A letter to the Star responding again to climate denier John Bunting. (Scroll down to read the original letter)
Dear Editor
John Bunting not only refutes the world’s climate scientists, he also now accuses the National Park Authority of nonsense.
He is a bit like a patient in a hospital, who looks at his toe and says “I can’t be ill, my toe is fine” while at the same time ignoring the scan showing the dangerous cancer growth inside him. Just because you haven’t noticed climate change in your garden John it does not mean it is not happening. The people living in Athens certainly have noticed this week with wildfires burning down houses and destroying communities.
Our planet is similar to a living organism. Climate scientists are like the planet’s doctor. They have explained the symptoms which are now growing faster than they expected. They have given us a prescription. We must stop carbon emissions, which are giving the planet a temperature. But what have we done? We have continued to increase emissions. Like an alcoholic who can’t stop drinking, our society is addicted to oil.
Just like the growth of cancer, climate change is changing our planet. There comes a time when, if not successfully treated, the patient unfortunately dies. Are you willing to sit back and let that happen? We have to ask ourselves why our leaders are continuing to refuse the treatment as if they have a death wish. We can’t continue to ignore the urgent demands of climate scientists.
As for John’s trees unfortunately they are very much threatened by climate change. Scientists worry a growing number of species will be at risk of disease as our hotter wetter climate makes tree populations more vulnerable. Ash dieback has already been devastating but will go on to kill 80% of our Ash trees. Pathogens like Phytophthora Ramorum and Acute Oak Decline could further destroy our woodlands.
We have no more time to argue about this. Let’s end our addiction now.
Graham Wroe
TelltheTruthSheffield.org
Related to this I heard very recently that the majestic Chelsea Elm is in big trouble. Paul Selby wrote on Facebook, “Bad news I’m afraid. The Chelsea Road elm tree has two extensive patches of Dutch Elm Disease of around 10 metre dieback.
It has caught DED each year since 2016 (since I’ve been monitoring it) but the dieback patches have been limited to around 1 to 2 metres.
I’ve no idea why this year is so bad, but I was always warned by the elm expert the late Dr Herling that DED was always evolving and mutating and that one day our lovely elm would succumb.
There is nothing we can do but wait and see. I give it a 50:50 chance. 
“
Here is the Chelsea Road Elm when we fought to save it from the Council chainsaws. That was a great victory. Let’s hope the Elms fight against Dutch Elm Disease will also be victorious.
John Buntings original letter
Previous correspondence with John Bunting
Discover more from Tell the Truth Sheffield
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
