Chris's Forester Column: September 2010

The more extreme climate change deniers often cite a global communist plot behind the work of climate change activists and scientists so it is comforting that a bastion of capitalism understands the threats of climate change and peak oil. Currently crude oil stands at $75. How would we cope with a threefold increase?

Autumn is with us and the beginning of the English apple season. I awoke the other morning to hear a news item about the genetic make up of the Golden Delicious apple. Scientists have unravelled the apple's DNA and will soon be able to manipulate its genes to produce one with taste. I'm not hostile to the variety and have eaten many tasty ones grown in Britain's cooler and longer growing season, but aren't we missing the point?  Britain has a vast apple heritage of around 2500 different varieties. In Gloucestershire alone, there are at least a hundred varieties in existence, many of them eaters packed with flavour. Yet supermarkets sell only a few global brands like Pink Lady and Gala.  Where are Ashmeads Kernel, Berkeley Pippin, Longney Russet or Rhead's Reinette?  Seek them out, plant a tree, find an old tree and if its fruit is good, nurture it, because with oil at $200 a barrel you won't be seeing many more Pink Ladies from Chile.    

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