Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Exploring Environmental Issues"

Ms. Paula Cleary.

The Lanarkshire Philatelic Society viewed an astounding display at their meeting on Friday afternoon. The guest speaker was Ms. Paula Cleary, President of the Glasgow Thematic Society, and her theme was "Exploring Environmental Issues".

There was a wonderful display of stamps, miniature sheets, covers , and postcards from many countries around the world  all illustrating various aspects of the theme. "The Environment –  urban, rural, marine, air – in which life exists on earth".

Members of the Society are well used to seeing stamps showing beautiful flowers and trees, colourful birds, amazing fish and animals, and wonderful scenery. It was a shock to be made aware of how many stamps and covers have been issued illustrating the opposite!  Litter, pesticides, the legacy of the Industrial Revolution, plastic, deforestation and desertification. Many stamps and miniature sheets showed how countries were meeting the challenge of these environmental disasters.

The need for clean water – the Source of Life – and the problems of Acid Rain, of the pollution affecting the health of fresh water - also of the scarcity of water in many places – was well documented.

Issues on Global warming, climate change  - and the effects of such – immense floods and wildfires – were viewed.  As was the need for Renewable Energies - cleaner fuels – Wind Power, Hydro Power & Solar Power.

There were various Postal views of National Parks  around the world – the idea of such originating from John Muir of Dunbar, Scotland  – and who became known as the "Father of America’s National Parks".  He advocated for the preservation and protection of wild spaces – and the living things therein - no poaching or hunting of wildlife permitted.

Conservationists, Naturalists, Environmentalists - were also applauded on postal material –  these included past and present - Jacques Cousteau, Sir Peter Scott, Greta Thunberg, Sir David Attenborough – all worked/working - hard to conserve our planet.

Robert Watt gave warm thanks the superb and concise presentation of the theme - and for displaying the amazing array of postal items reflecting the positive and negative aspects affecting the Environment today.

Our next meeting in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, is on Friday, 24th November, 2023, at 1:30pm  when members look forward to welcoming Mrs. Jean Osborne who will be showing "Ireland; Post Independence"

Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc is very welcome to attend.