Richard David North was a British conservative commentator. He worked for The Independent newspaper as its first environment correspondent (1986–1990) and then as environmental columnist for The Sunday Times (1990–1992). His book, Life On a Modern Planet: A manifesto for progress was widely regarded as a renunciation of his green ideals. He worked with the free-market thinktank, the Institute of Economic Affairs and with the conservative Social Affairs Unit, where he blogged on art, film and social issues.