Welcome at Geographical Magazine July 2023 Issue

The subtext of this issue is the complexity of the problems we face. Whether it be why our rivers, lakes and coastal waters are in such a shocking state (see Mark Rowe’s Dossier on England’s foul waters on Page 36), or the conundrum of mapping the New York subway (see Jules Stewart’s elegant exposition on Page 48), or the headline-grabbing conflicts over the value of urban trees (see Jo Caird’s report on Page 54). Understanding these magazine issues and accepting their complexity are the first steps to finding solutions. The appalling condition of our rivers is a case in point. It seems that we’re incapable of dealing with such a chronic, multi­faceted problem. It isn’t as if we don’t know about the extent and scale of the problem. As one of the experts told Mark, the uncontrolled dumping of raw sewage into our rivers has been a major issue for all of his 30-year career in the sector. Those in charge think and act in silos, and the result is little change. Central government fails to join up the dots and take decisive action. The public is outraged. Perhaps the current public fury might break through the politicians’ inherently short-term and short-sighted approach, and bring about much-needed reform. In his Platform article on Page 17 about tomorrow’s geography, Alastair Bonnett highlights the changes we’re likely to face in this fast-moving world. Hopefully, looking to the future and contemplating the new realities we must accommodate will encourage us to be flexible and imaginative in dealing with some of our immediate problems.
Graeme Gourlay, Publisher

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