Dear Mr. Editor,

The Gambia is ranked 24th emerging nation most at risk due to climate change. It is commendable that with the assistance of E.U. funding The Gambia has sought to reinforce its coastal defences over many numbers of recent years. The dredging of its approach to Banjul docks accompanied by the reinforcing of the shore adjacent to the Banjul /Serre Kunda highway and along the reaches opposite The Corinthia Atlantic Hotel have been extensive and well planned and executed. However, the capital City of Banjul remains at severe risk due to expected rises in sea levels, due to the melting of the polar ice caps.

Some forecasts predict sea levels to rise by one meter by the end of this century, with other forecasts predicting this change to arrive much sooner. even within the next 12 years.

The further increases in rainfall in the region, during the last 5 years have created the further danger of extensive inland flooding, which quickly destroys the infrastructure and washes away roads and access  and ever increasingly will effect crop production..

It is therefore reassuring that The Gambia's Vice President has given much concern and attention to these emerging concerns.

I was particularly interested in the views expressed by leading critic and activist Bianca Jagger {former wife of Mick of The Rolling Stones} on the conclusion of the G20 summit in London this week. who expressed her concern and surprise at the omission of the attending world leaders, to raise climate change within their moratorium on the Global economic situation.

Whilst the one trillion stimulus package involving a 500 billion dollar boost to the IMF and 250 Billion to export guarantees. will offer a significant safety net to Countries like The Gambia, it does not address the further potent threat of climate change which in itself poses an even greater risk for the viability of the human race.

The challenge to world leaders is therefore immense and understandably they see the Global economy as the most pressing priority just now. However, their is a grave danger that the worlds citizens are not entirely happy or supportive of the measures already given to this crisis by way of rewarding the authors of this perceived Global crime with more tax payers dollars.

Morally in any decent democratic society....it is the victim that should be protected and not the criminal.

Moreover, the consensus to raise one trillion dollars Globally along with the 5 trillion dollars already committed does little to quell the anxiety of   billions of people who are seeing their livelihoods and incomes and property and pensions. … disappearing before their own eyes.

I fervently believe that this incredible amount of our own hard earned money would have been better placed to the direct benefit and protection of our assets and our ambitions.

Whilst their are some green shoots of recovery breaking through into encouraging information, the most optimistic forecasts still only predict recovery by the end of next year at the earliest.

Economic recessions are inevitable. even another depression is not yet out of view, yet the environment and its equilibrium cannot be negotiated or remedied without a significant shift in the way we live and coexist in harmony with our surroundings.

It seems to be human nature that we remain optimistic that we have the right to rule this planet forever without due concern, care or attention to what we need as people to exist.

The air we breath, the soil we till, and the water we drink... all face undue pressure from our continued neglect in favour of wealth creation and personal greed.

The G20 summit in my eyes remains just another victory for the" white skinned blue eyed boys " and is therefore a failure and an abandonment of sensible and credible leadership to the future detriment, expense and neglect of our children's future.

 remain Michael ..U.K.