It is a matter of the politics of the short term being, as a rule, more persuasive than the environmental truths of the long term and the fear to respond accordingly. Sad as it may be, it may take even more environmental catastrophes than are occurring now before the urgency to act becomes a desperate priority. It may then be too late. I am talking about not only climate change but, as a farmer, water and soil conservation too but they are all inextricably linked.