One of the first aims of anyone who cares about the future of humanity must be to ensure that every woman, man and child is adequately supplied with the basic necessities for self-fulfilment. This is possible.
Agroforestry, a system of intensive land-use in which economically valuable trees are grown in association with other crops, is being developed in many countries, especially in Asia, Africa and Australia.
It is applicable to almost every inhabitable part of the world. There are trees and hardy perennial shrubs that will grow in the most unpromising terrains, such as deserts, rocky hillsides and marshes. These provide 'nurse conditions' for more tender crops, such as fruit and vegetables.
By means of Agroforestry, a world population far higher than the present could be supplied with balanced diets, fuel, energy, fibres, building materials, medicines and the vital soul-food of beautiful environments.
Full employment for all could be ensured in the work of managing Agroforestry plantations and processing their products.
The resources involved would be renewable - therefore virtually infinite - and would not pollute the environment. Ugly cities and industrial wastelands could be made beautiful and healthy and the world's climate would be improved. Trees, by attracting rain and controlling the movement of groundwater through their roots, would prevent both droughts and floods. The stabilising effect of trees would prevent erosion and landslides.
Millions of families and small communities could become largely self-sufficient in the basic necessities of life.
Members of different ethnic groups could transcend their rivalries by working together to improve their environments and to supply their needs.
Great programmes of tree-planting and irrigation should replace military campaigns, their aims being, not to cause destruction, but to overcome poverty, hunger and disease throughout the world.
Robert Hart, Highwood Hill,Rushbury, near Church Stretton, Shropshire SY6 7DE (tel 06943 342).