Thanks, Hutch, for your discussion about the COVID lockdown, and how it might change things. We really need to do some discussion about this as there will undoubtedly be a range of perspectives.

I certainly agree with your concern about exaggerated claims that 'nothing will be the same”. We will go insane if we change everything. Besides, there are some damn good things in the life that was, and we need to keep them.

A key question is about the 'hard realities” that we need to take account of. One is clearly that despite our 'moat” we are closely connected with the wider world, so we need to be well connected.

However, I don't understand your concern about 'political and social agendas”. How on earth can we have significant change without such agendas? Are you happy with the lack of housing, high suicide rates, domestic violence or extremes in wealth? And just what sort of 'near death” experience will make us act on climate change? Even the World Economic Forum (aka Davos) identified lack of action on climate change as the greatest threat to our economy. What do you think our children will be thinking about our lack of action?

If our economic recovery does not address our very high carbon emissions, especially in transport, then our children won't have too much to thank us for.

G Southon, Gate Pa