Dave Taylor

York Green Party

Today's Date: 1st September 2006

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

I tried to keep a ladybird as a 'pet' in a matchbox when I was a really quite a young kid. I was fond of it but didn't know what I was doing and so naturally it died. I realised that I was responsible for its death and that the captivity that I'd inflicted on it was wrong.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

I lived in a town but loved to play in the green and open areas where there were trees and streams between the housing developments. Due to in-fill development these places no longer exist in my home town and are disappearing in cities like York where I now live.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?

Tiger. The majesty of these beasts and all the big cats really. I love my pet cat and occasionally think of the quote, "Why do we keep cats as pets? Because we can't stroke tigers."

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Global warming and other forms of climate change due to our unsustainable misuse of fossil fuels. The USA is already fighting wars for access to the last reserves of oil instead of working to reverse its dependence on the stuff. The problem will only get worse as China and India seek to emulate the USA's bad example.

5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Think global and act local. We have to change the world and this means making the worst polluters pay for their environmental crimes, however, we have all got to accept responsibility for this. It would be no use me criticising Bush and the Oil Barons if I were to drive around in an SUV, would it?