The Master organised a very lively discussion at The Bishop’s Finger attended by 11 members and guests. We examined the impact of hubris on wealth and power recognised in Percy Bysse Shelly’s short poem, “Look on my works ye mighty, and despair” carved on Ossyimadis’ statue. 

The speakers were:

Dr Mark Infield currently the Landscape Recovery Manager of the Ashdown Forest. Mark has worked all over the world on natural landscape restoration and author of the book Beautiful Beasts, Beautiful Landscapes. He has extensive restoration experience in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Roger Morgan-Grenfell after careers as a soldier and then the head of a small family company, he has become a full-time writer, speaker and campaigner on biodiversity.

Mark and Roger led a discussion about whether the City of London is becoming a gilded oasis of wealth surrounded by a sea of dust. 

Mark and Roger strongly argued that landscape and nature should both worry and galvanise the City to take strong and urgent action to reverse the effects of climate change and avert environmental collapse. How can the City help?

The passion displayed by Roger and Mark  struck a chord with the audience and a lively discussion followed. No one disputed the urgency and importance of protecting the environment and engendering biodiversity and the need for urgency. There was general disappointment across the group at the lack of effective action by politicians from all parties. At the same time, most people want to do all they can personally to help achieve a positive outcome. 

Making informed consumer choices on products (fair trade) and investments in green ETFs will help. Keeping up pressure on the food industry and continuing to challenge politicians are all a must. 

By Robert Keller, Liveryman.