Methodology

In evolutionary terms the notion of environment is in its infancy. So what should we do? How can we be sure that we don't just follow the norm and ask our experts to make value judgements environmental, just guesses and hope for the best!!

The RTVC would like to use its experience and expertise to move the debate on. We would like to take the Thames out of the realms of guess-work and political game-playing. We would like a robust academic environmental study and scientific rigour, to provide the data to support the policies of the Mayor's London Plan, the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Bill.

The RTVC does not want plans for plans sake, or plans for peoples' sake. The RTVC would like the resource, the beautiful River Thames to come first in any plans regarding its development; to put conservation first. Now there's a term thrown around by just about everyone. Do you know what this means? Because of all the complicated and frankly misleading uses of the word, it may be a surprise, but it is a simple thing. Conservation is use, without damage; utility yet the resource remains. So, sustainability is no more than applied conservation.

The have the opportunity in London to look closely into how the pressures of people living closely with the natural world can be managed. The beauty and utility is for us to define and for Londoners to enjoy. The RTVC has developed a terms of reference for study, which it will be developing as a key aim of this project.