TODAY'S letters and polls show an overwhelming number of Brighton citizens want the city green.

But mysteriously, an important element has been missed out of this. No real mention of trees or "urban forests".

As a retired scientist, I looked into this, a while back. Here is what should be done, starting NOW.

1. The cost of an "urban forest" in Brighton is not just zero, it brings cash into the town.

2. How is this done? Easy: There is a Forestry Commission that hands out cash to those wanting to plant trees.

We get cash to do this. I looked at the law and it does not say that forests can only be planted in the countryside. They can legally be financed and planted in towns.

So where is our wonderful Brighton Green Party in this? Utterly silent.

I used to be a Green Party member. So as an aside, why, I ask the Green leader why you are not supporting this and why is it not being done? Ditto the other parties. They are too busy playing non-green politics.

Here is how it is done:

A. We start a council taskforce, with a senior council official and reps from all parties. We make it an official body. We do this in six weeks.

B. We draw up an urgent plan for an agreement with the Forestry Commission for finance etc and planting to start late this spring.

C. We use council officials, (parks and gardens) but also have a volunteer system. anybody over 16 and above may volunteer to join planting neighbourhood groups, and please will you take things into your own hands and start organising, council ward by ward. It is legal. Make things hot for local councillors who do not participate. Also, a council tree fund charity to be registered.

D. How may trees do we need? Take a deep breath. WE NEED ABOUT 200,000.

E. Where do we plant them: Everywhere. For every lamp post, three trees, or more. but leave spaces for the lamps. Plant saplings. Poplars. They grow like crazy. Plant also on at least a third of all the council-owned green spaces such

as The Level and parks. Plant on all unused and derelict council open space. (Save some for future housing).

F. Argus please ask all councillors and local party leaders if they support this. If not, why not. if they say silent, that will in itself speak greatly. If they whine the usual excuses, ditto.

Brighton greening like this would totally neutralise its carbon emissions. We would be the first English town to achieve this. There is extra public cash for other projects.

Also, if there are any possible "Greta Thunbergs" in this town, please organise and demonstrate and campaign (Covid aware, please.) On the young, who will inherit this mess, it all now depends.

Graham Ennis

Address supplied