What will we say to the child at the gate ?
by Veronica-Mae Soar
9 March 2020

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What will we say to the child at the gate ?
We knew what to do but we left it too late.

For decades came warnings of how things might be
If we poisoned the land and the air and the sea.

But very few listened or took a world view
And many just argued and said "it's not true"

With data uncertain and room for debate
Few would agree it might soon be too late

Oh yes there were meetings and many words spoken,
But what they produced was merely a token

The goals were not binding, the targets too low,
Despite urgent warnings "we'll reap what we sow"

Now the window is closing; the time we have left
Is so close to midnight - our world is bereft.

Just what will it take to get leaders to act,
To all work together - a vast global pact.

For all other problems will rapidly pale
If our life support system should falter and fail

It's bold action that's needed, so send out the call,
Each country must help from the big to the small.

Veronica-Mae

From GLD Challenge magazine 2019-20

https://www.greenlibdems.org.uk/news/article/what-will-we-say-to-the-child-at-the-gate