In defence of the Environment Agency’s dedicated but overstretched staff

‘Although it is a category one responder – equivalent to the emergency services – its incident response services are woefully underfunded.’ Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

The long read (Dirty waters: how the Environment Agency lost its way, 13 June) does a disservice to the Environment Agency’s dedicated and loyal but underpaid staff that I represent. Although it is a category one responder – equivalent to the emergency services – its incident response services are woefully underfunded, relying on depleted volunteers. To safeguard its future, we need to see commitments for increased resourcing, continued independence and a reversal of the recruitment and retention crisis.
Sue Ferns
Senior deputy general secretary, Prospect union

• Zoe Williams writes: “This should be the climate crisis election ... Instead, we’re in fantasyland” (G2, 18 June). Indeed it should, and can, be. This Saturday, Extinction Rebellion will be in central London – with all the flair, intelligence and fun the public has come to expect – to ensure that what follows is a climate election. Get there if you can. If not, join your local XR branch and help turn dream into reality.
Caroline Roaf
Oxford