AS WE help, in limited ways, and try to comprehend the enormous loss of loved ones, devastated lands, property and belongings and misery suffered by millions in the wake of the Asian tsunami, it is difficult to associate anything like this with our own comfortable existence.

How can we possibly have any meaningful appreciation?

For our own good, we ought to try because, for sure, we have seen a mere glimpse of the power which can be discharged by extreme natural reactions and we should be doing all we can to minimise them in future. We can't eliminate them but we don't need to nurture them.

It really doesn't matter who is or who isn't dishing out more or less gross national product (GNP) than we are; or who is at the top or bottom of conservation tables. Global warming, melting ice caps and rising sea levels are not influenced by these considerations.

Mother earth, on whom we depend for survival, has no political, commercial or religious leanings. The dinosaurs would confirm this, if they could.

It is in our interest to create a fairer world, lessen poverty and hopefully conflict, and find ways of combating global warming. Iceland has made great steps by replacing the use of oil fuels with hydrogen in engines on land and at sea. Hot springs supply heating for whole towns and water power for electricity. Yet we never see or hear anything about this.

Can it be that it might upset too many concerned with oil? Will that save them if the worst happens?

We cannot be confident that "I'm all right Jack" and "What's in for me?" is becoming clearer. We can all get more out of life for longer.

George Appleby,

Leighton Croft, Clifton, York.

Updated: 10:47 Tuesday, January 11, 2005