What is more frightening?
CLIMATE CHANGE ANXIETY
DR Clare Smith’s opinion piece about climate anxiety in young people is an important message that needs to be heard (Talking Point, July 17). Those who say that children are being frightened irresponsibly by discussions about climate disruption need to consider what it is that is most frightening: knowing that there is a serious threat and that those in charge are doing everything they can to tackle it, or knowing that there is a serious threat and those in power refuse to address it. The truth can’t be hidden. The reality of climate change is in plain sight and children have a right to know and to be able to express their views. Adults, and our leaders in particular, need to demonstrate they will act to protect children. Research shows children use trust as a strategy to cope with worry about climate. We need to earn that trust by acknowledging the situation and responding appropriately. you include all the coal and gas we will export to other countries, Australia’s share of greenhouse gas emissions could be as much as 17 per cent by 2030. This is despite the fact that Australia currently makes up 0.3 per cent of the world’s population. But I guess we can all keep using our Chinesemade mobile phones to use social media to blame China for climate change, because this is the comfortable option.
Doubters
DURING autumn it was announced in the Mercury that a warm dry winter was on the way. Years ago, Professor Flannery predicted that skiing in Australia would be a distant memory. Small wonder that many of us doubt the alarmist predictions of the climate change zealots. ments we inhabit. Policies that, for example, enable more active transport will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while reducing suffering from heart and lung diseases. Taking shared positive action to make our world a healthier place is the best antidote to climate anxiety.
Weather history
IT is interesting that Dr Clare Smith backs the call of “climate emergency” while also contradicting the tenets of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that caution against attributing singular weather to man-made climate change. Any young person who cares to check the records will note there have been floods of similar magnitude in the recent past as well as devastating fires. I argue the best antidote to emotional distress caused by overblown rhetoric of impending doom is historical context and rational discussion.
Sunshine leaders
PETER Boyer is on the money with his insights on tax cuts (Talking Point, July 16). With these tax cuts, the Coalition has yet again missed the chance to tell the story of climate change — the one where it is real, it is serious, and Australia has huge opportunities to decarbonise our economy while investing in jobs in renewable energy. We can mitigate some of the health and societal risks of climate change, and prepare to adapt to others. With our sunshine and our science, we could be global leaders. Instead, we are being lumped with Brazil and the US as those not leading the way.
Where did it go?
WHATEVER did the human race do with their anger and vitriol before mediums such as Twitter came along?
Can do this, can’t do that
WHAT are we to make of a country that can make its own islands in the South China Sea but can’t make its own baby formula?
Missing
I AM missing not being able to read in the Mercury the Today in History and Today’s Birthdays sections. Hopefully they will be reinstated into my daily reading soon.
Jacinda speaks out
JACINDA Ardern once again shows real leadership by disagreeing with the racist language of Donald Trump. Where is the voice of our Prime Minister and our parliament?
New Zealand dudded again
ONCE again poor old New Zealand has been dudded in a cricket match. This time in the 50-overs World Cup. Surely a law must be introduced to say that if the ball is deflected from a batsman’s bat while running for a run, then the ball be deemed “dead” and no benefit gained. GPO Box 334, Hobart, Tas 7001
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