Alan Titchmarsh, the UK’s favourite gardener, is back on TV tonight in a 4 part series about how changing seasons affect our wildlife and plants.
I find him such an inspiration and always look forward to anything that he does. For me, he has a grasp of what matters in this world and manages to verbalise it so clearly. Here are just a few of his utterings on climate change and the environment in recent months:
“I am desperate for someone to talk in a reasoned fashion about climate change, rather than running around like a headless chicken saying we are all going to hell in a hand cart and it is all our fault,” he said. “Hang on. We all know what we shouldn’t do – drive unnecessarily, waste energy – now we want to know the positive things we can do like planting things and improving the environment.”
“When people are constantly harangued about what they shouldn’t be doing to improve the environment, that’s wrong. They begin to feel powerless to make a difference and just switch off and they do nothing. Most people are aware of all the “don’ts” now – they know they should drive their car less, they know they should insulate their loft.
I’d far rather they got some joy out of what they did in a positive way and did something that can improve their environment for themselves – by planting a tree, starting an allotment, or just making use of parks and outdoor spaces. There’s so much pleasure to be had in taking care of the environment, it’s not just an onerous task.”
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 am
Even in The North East of England, water conservation is increasingly becoming an important issue. Gardeners just do not have the same knowledge of irrigation and water storage as you gardeners down south. You have learnt to treat water with the care that it deserves. Im so pleased the RHS are practicing good methods of water conservation also.