The plastic threat to this island paradise
I HAVE visited the Galapagos Islands and so was looking forward to seeing the Channel 4 series by conservationist Monty Halls relating how he lived on the islands for three months with his wife and two children. I had spent two weeks on a small boat visiting most of the permitted islands and it was a wonderful experience. However, watching the TV shows, I was so sad to see the litter that is now spoiling the beautiful beaches. During my visit in 1995, I didn’t see anything to mar the pristine shoreline. The rules were very strict. Our party of seven tourists, four boat crew and a guide were told not to leave anything behind on the islands. Nor could we take anything away — we even had to shake any sand off our clothes and shoes before leaving the beaches. I suspect that a high proportion of the rubbish is not the fault of the islanders, but is down to the rest of the world being so careless in disposing of the detritus of modern life. Ocean currents deposit it on the beaches, to the detriment of these precious islands and wildlife. We must all persevere with our efforts to clean up our act for the sake of the whole planet. Sue Howard, high Peak, derbys. HAS it become socially acceptable to leave used disposable BBQs, bottles and cans on our beautiful beaches? You can’t drive down a country road without seeing litter that has been lobbed out of car windows. I have been saddened to see a herd of fallow deer picking their way around broken bottles. If you have managed to carry a picnic to a beauty spot, bring home the empty cans and bottles and put them in your recycling bin. Or do you expect the clean-up fairies to do it for you? Julie Wisker, romford, essex.