April 2008 Volume 13 Number 4

Never simple, never dull

The environment is an issue that is challenging and changing constantly. It may at times be easy to identify the problems, but the answers generally involve rigorous enquiry, debate, compromise and the ability to evolve. This is increased further by the prospect of climate change. Think back a few years when bio-diesel was heralded as a great break-through. Now we are faced with the prospect of it resulting in food shortages, inflation and deforestation. It seems that climate change will be something that we must grow into, knowing that there are no perfect solutions, only that we must make decisions based on doing the best we can with the knowledge that we have, and always be prepared to embrace new possibilities.

Here at WEM we are never afraid of debate and this month's edition is no exception. As one contributor to the CIWEM Members' survey observed: 'Nick Reeves is never afraid to put his head above the parapet.'

In our lead article, Nick laments the lack of dialogue over the proposed expansion of Heathrow. James Jenkins questions the politics of water metering on page 18 and Tom Shaw enters the ring to defend the highly-controversial Severn Barrage on page 29. Emily Doyle considers the dichotomy of art's contribution to both left-wing activism and right-wing consumption on page 17 and Ian Hewson explains what makes organic wine organic on page 26. Read Keya Acharya's account of women campaigning for land rights in India on page 12 and see our tribute to World Health Day on page eight.

If all that debate leaves you looking for a chance to chill out and digest it all, see our guide to eco-holidays on page 22. And don't miss John Brown's photo reportage of the Stung Meanchey landfill in Phnom Penh on page ten.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who contributed to the CIWEM Members' survey with some very helpful and interesting comments about the magazine. I encourage you to continue this dialogue via the email address below and welcome your contributions.

Erika Yarrow, Editor, WEM (Water & Environment Magazine) wemeditor@ciwem.org This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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