Fools rush in

1 July 2020

Written by Sam Peters, co-founder and executive director of Planted

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,” wrote Alexander Pope in his 1711 poem ‘An Essay on Criticism’.

The phrase, alluding to inexperienced and rash people taking risks which those in possession of wisdom and experience would eschew, has since entered the general English lexicon.

Elvis Presley subsequently told us “wisemen say only fools rush in.” With the passing of time, our very language has been masculinised.

Last week, in the UK, we saw many thousands rush to our beaches in the midst of a virus pandemic which had, by conservative estimations, already taken more than 40,000 of their fellow citizens. With services severely restricted, human detritus littered some of our most precious natural spaces, faeces in boxes left for others to dispose of. A major incident was declared. Leadership from Government had left the building. Subsequently, inevitably, we are seeing spikes in infection rates across the country.

On Wednesday, no doubt intentionally timed to distract from the passing of the Bill ending freedom of movement for UK citizens in Europe, the UK Prime Minister revealed his latest three-word slogan to “build, build, build” in yet another ham-fisted response to the massive social and economic crisis which confronts us.

The speech contained a line which should chill all of us who care deeply about nature and the massive degradation of biodiversity we have witnessed across our planet in recent times.

“Why are we so slow at building homes by comparison with other European countries?” the Prime Minister asked.

“I’ll tell you why, because time is money, and the newt-counting delays in our system are a massive drag on the productivity and prosperity of this country, so we will build better and build greener but we will also build faster. That is why the chancellor Rishi Sunak and I have set up Project Speed to scythe through red tape and get things done.”

Flex those muscles, puff out the chest. Get things done, lads.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, remember.

At Planted, from the moment we realised the coronavirus was coming our way - around February 20 when it was first officially identified in Italy - our approach has been to tread with caution. Listen to others with more knowledge. Learn from those around us. Respect experience. Have the moral courage to do the right thing. Be collaborative.

We’ve attempted to guide our fledgling business through the storm by respecting the fact everyone around us is concerned about the short, medium and long-term trajectory of our public and planetary health and by, natural extension, our collective economic futures.

Above all else, we have tried to be empathetic. This has not always been easy and we are far from in the clear, but by the evidence of the partnerships we’re building and the content we’re producing, the benefits of our approach are gradually realising.

On the other hand our Government, and those advising it, thought they knew best about a novel virus. A virus which by its very nature we knew nothing of. Go hard at it. Take it on the chin. Man up. Let it run hot.

Misguidedly, we rushed to protect our economy when we should have moved to protect our people; a Government’s first priority, above all. New Zealand, thanks to the leadership of their Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, responded intelligently and are now reaping the economic and reputational benefits. Sport is being played again in front of big crowds, bars and restaurants are being enjoyed. The economy is moving and the nation’s stock has never been higher. They had planned ahead, protected their people by building capacity and technical excellence into their system and their economy will reap the benefits for decades to come.

Germany, with Angela Merkel at the helm, were honest from day one. No macho claims to have shaken hands with Covid19 patients. Just clear, honest leadership.

“It’s serious,” the German President told her people at almost the same time Johnson was showboating about handshaking. “Take it seriously.”

Days later - with an effective track and trace operational, Germany had located the virus and effective measures deployed to suppress it. Johnson, on the other hand, was being rushed to intensive care, riddled with Covid19.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, remember.

The fear for many of us who dare to care has long since been that a once in a lifetime environmental opportunity presented by this pandemic would be sacrificed on the altar of macho bombast by a Government lacking the intellectual wit to adapt, reform and improve. A Government too obsessed with being seen to be tough to show the sophistication and sensitivity required to adapt to lead us into a new world.

The opportunity has not been lost yet but blaming decades of inadequate planning and delivery on nature lovers and environmentalists is a bullying tactic, designed only to attract headlines. Sadly, in the short term, it has succeeded.

“Build, build, build,” is just the latest piece of macho willy waving designed to pander to populism. It may attract votes but it won’t improve lives. In truth, it means nothing.

Thailand, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Taiwan. The list of female leaders whose nations have managed this pandemic best goes on and on.

Never in Britain’s history have we needed more empathy at the top of Government. Never before have we needed more balance to our politics on both sides of the divide.

If “build, build, build” is the answer, then what on earth is the question?

Fools, rush in where angels fear to tread, remember.

Ends