I ABHOR litter and am forever picking it from fields and roadsides. EVIDENCE of litter strewn throughout the countryside brings a question from childhood to mind: “If we all did that, where would we be? Where would we be if we all randomly dropped our unwanted articles?” In short, if not tolerable that we all do it, then don’t do it. Then the question arises why do some drop litter while others do not? There are easy answers – no respect, don’t know any better, not brought up to know any better. However, such answers invariably miss the point.
We all need land on which to live. Some own land, others do not. Unsurprisingly, derelict, undeveloped land in our urban areas is often a dumping ground for litter and unwanted articles.
READ MORE: 'Take your rubbish home': Scots beauty spots swamped with litter as lockdown eases
Land area is finite, so if a few own large areas, inevitably many will have very little while some will be landless. In a country of five million where a few hundred own a high percentage of the land, it is simply not possible to sustain a wholly balanced, tolerant society.
The countryside offers invaluable freedom to roam, enjoy wildlife and relax. If you don’t have the experience of owning property, far less a piece of that countryside, respect for the countryside and whoever owns it is not a logical outcome. Most will take their litter home – but sadly it should surprise no-one that some will not.
Tom Gray
Braco
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