FOREWORD

FOREWORD FROM THE HEADMASTER

If we find no meaning in our surroundings, no beauty, why would we ever seek to protect them? If a sense of their immeasurable worth has been lost, why would anyone choose to allocate resources to preserve them for future generations when we could use those places for economic growth? Why not expend them for our convenience?

Each of these personal stories from Old Cranleighans engaged in environmental action stems from a sense of connectedness to the natural world; a connectedness which has motivated them to do something to protect it. They have used their Cranleigh education to make the world a better place — a vision we uphold for all Cranleighans.

If we are to take positives from the lockdown of spring 2020, one was the reawakening of an awareness of the natural world — people noticing the wonders of bird song even in the heart of a now quieter city; glimpses of the wild closer at hand. And in that re-connection people have discovered a sense of their own well-being.

Octavia Hill, one of the founders of the National Trust, commented ‘the sight of sky and things growing are fundamental needs, common to all men.’ If through a reconnection with the natural world, societies begin to reappraise what is valuable and of economic worth, there is a chance that we can begin to make a difference, as many of world’s challenges lie either in our desire either for endless economic growth, or just the daily struggle to put food on our plate.

What is particularly exciting about the experiences and actions of these Old Cranleighans is that many of them are entrepreneurs, demonstrating alternative ways of generating wealth that is sustainable not exploitative. We learn that new technologies and behavioural science can be applied to identify and tackle waste more effectively and change attitudes and how data informs better conservation. The future is yet to be written and the possibilities can be brighter than the prophecies.

I hope this and future generations of Cranleighans will be inspired by their learning to play their part in tackling the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Ultimately, the responsibility and the solutions lie with people. That means each and every one of us must play our part. This magazine gives us a glimpse of how that could be done.