Thank you so much for Richard Flanagan's bold and brilliantly written essay on the grim situation of what is now left of the Tasmanian forests and their likely future destruction. It is a tragedy that many of our political representatives choose to completely ignore the overwhelming tide of public opinion on this issue. Sadly, despite strong efforts and the best of intentions, Tasmanian people are virtually powerless to change this, even within the electoral cycle, because of the entrenched power, wealth and influence of vested interests. What is actually required is the activism of the broad Australian community and some serious gumption from potential future political leaders in Canberra. There is no doubt in my mind that preserving the remnants of old growth forests is popular with the electorate and a vote winner as well as being morally right.