An educational opportunity

The Tsunami has apparently exposed signs of habitation or a civilization that we didn't know about.

It was obviously swamped by the ocean thousands of years ago.

We humans are very slow learners for we are still intent on meddling with our planet in order to make a few more bucks.

Many people, even those who spend much of their lives on the beach, seem unaware of the value of a dune.

They have not observed the piles of sand collected around the plants growing on the dunes.

They have failed to notice the difference further along the Esplanade, where there is no vegetation to trap the sand and where the Council has to constantly clear away the sand across the road.

The native plants growing on the dune have evolved over centuries to withstand some of the harshest conditions that exist.

They have adapted.

They might have waxy leaves or little hairs covering them.

They may turn their leaves so that they do not get burnt.

Unfortunately most people are unaware of these miracles happening daily, before their eyes.

The plants on the dunes, even the weeds, trap the sand blown by the wind.

They are the means whereby the dune is built.

Without the shrubs and plants there would be no dunes.

How far would the rising tides reach then? How more unfortunate is it that Gosford Council and the Peninsular Surf Clubs have missed the wonderful opportunity presented by the Surf Carnival , with 30,000 people expected to visit, of educating people about the value of the natural environment, in this case the dunes, to our very existence.

Margaret Lund, Woy Woy Bay