Dear Sir/Madam,

When assessing scientific results with economic implications, particularly on the scale of those involving global warming, the animal origins of human psychology and behaviour are a major, but largely overlooked, factor (Politics Reasserts Itself in Debate Over Climate Change).

 Facts are facts, but their perceived significance and interpretation are always subject to human prejudice and interests rooted in our animal nature and thus not entirely irrational.

Scientific evidence relating to smoking has been mounting up for the past half century, yet the tobacco industry and associated interest groups have succeeded in delaying the necessary counter measures at the cost of millions of lives and untold suffering. Why? Because it was in their economic interests to do so.

This is hardly surprising, considering that our economy is largely based (and dependent) on the fears and drives of our more animal than human nature.

Our economy and the materialistic lifestyles it engenders are based more on our animal than human nature, wherein lie the roots of non-sustainability and the hopelessness of our current situation.