UNITED States President Donald Trump wants to copy President Kennedy’s desire to get someone onto the Moon within 10 years. The former was achieved.

With the knowledge we now have of the damage done to Earth’s ecosystems and accelerating species extinctions now is not the time to divert intellect and engineering skills to 'plant our flag and footprint' on the Moon.

All intellect has to be concentrated on removing plastic from oceans, reorganising economies to be more equitable, retaining ecosystems so that no species goes extinct, halting atmospheric and ocean warming - within the next 10 years to copy President Kennedy’s timetable.

Robin Le Mare

Allithwaite