ACTION ON CLIMATE
Hot-headed adults coming soon
WORRIED now? Just imagine the future of our children’s “mental health” if our leaders continue to ignore the scientific consensus on climate change. These proven facts have been incorporated into government reports and the school curriculum for years. Shame on you leaders for allowing our youth to take on such an important responsibility that would stress anybody out. I can only imagine they’ll be hot-headed young adults looking for the root cause soon enough.
Greta is correct
READER Daniel Webb calls Greta Thunberg “some teenage upstart” and says he’ll get his advice “from the learned scientists with the potential to inform government policy” (Letters, September 27).
Well, I’m a climate scientist, I’ve informed government policy and my work has been used in more than one IPCC report. What Greta says is correct. The world has known for 30 years that greenhouse gases posed a problem and has done far too little to address the issue. History will not look kindly upon governments such as ours that have not listened to, nor acted upon, the advice of experts.
China and India
APPRECIATE reader Joseph Vagunda pointing out the significant larger amount of coal that China produces in relation to Australia (“Fossil fuel mixed bag”, Letters, September 25). China produces more CO2 than the US and EU combined and China and India continue increasing their coal power generation. I raise this not to downplay the need for all countries, including Australia, to do more to reduce emissions, but rather that we should expect our media to provide deeper information on relative emissions, as well as questioning why China is still considered one of the developing countries and, under WTO rules, given additional time to meet their climate agreements.
Old-school tactics
THE response from governments to people rallying for action is insulting but predictable. Saying students are better off in school and that protesting will lead to the dole queue show ignorance and arrogance of many conservative politicians. The tendency to be dismissive of anyone with concerns about our treatment of the planet has been around a long time. Even at this critical stage with overwhelming evidence that action cannot be delayed, smug politicians pander to destructive industries and ignore the fact we and all creatures rely on a healthy planet for survival.
Disgraceful footprint
SCOTT Morrison says Australia is only responsible for 1.3 per cent of carbon emissions. Just think about that. A population of 25 million in a world of 8 billion? Our carbon footprint, on a per capita basis, is a disgrace. As is its world-beating level of mammal extinction rates. When Scott Morrison brags about meeting Kyoto targets, it’s not that hard to limbo under a bar set so high you could walk under it on stilts. One thing is certain. Whether it’s Liberal or Labor, coalmines will keep going ahead until other countries stop buying Australian coal. They’ll do that All for it: Today: a tourism pedestrian walk/ bicycle route. Tomorrow: a world-focused cavelike rescue operation after flooding. Seriously, I think Hobart would thrive with tunnels but not in existing waterways. Unless it’s just a controlled, tourism route. But tunnelling is a solution for Hobart traffic woes. when things get too bad, by which time it will be too late to avoid catastrophe. World leaders are lining up to have a go at Greta Thunberg, a lady they think protests too much. It will be our great grandchildren, not us, who’ll know the truth.
Work it out in class
CHILDREN who take to the streets backed by their teachers should stay at school and devise ideas as to how climate change can be reduced. Maybe ride or walk to school instead of catching a bus or being driven. Holiday in the state? Reader Chris Merridew is on the case with calculating emissions from planes. I’m sure humans are contributing however it may just be there are too many people. Stay home with family and friends, have a barbecue (gas), push for solar-powered planes, increase production of electric vehicles but please, keep students at school to come up with ideas. Those in government seem to not have solutions or don’t have the ability or fortitude to implement them.
Rallies not enough
THE climate change rally should give people hope and inspiration. It is a good starting point, but it won’t be enough. Students will have to shut down the whole school system. Organisers should give politicians a deadline. Solutions require a fundamental change of lifestyle, not “green” technology. The system is so dysfunctional it cannot be reformed. We need a complete overhaul of the decision-making process. Our life support system is at stake.
Stretching Mac Point timelines
MY question to Mary Massina in relation to her statement on progress at Mac Point (Talking Point, September 25), “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get the vision right” is “Whose lifetime?” “Can’t see it happening in mine!”
Stake it out
WILL Hunter Developments go up to Rosny Lookout and mark out the dimensions of their proposal for the public to see? Or will they use the legislative minimum council A4 signs taped to poles near the Recreation Area entrances?
Hit the bush for big opportunity
UNEMPLOYMENT is going through the roof here while thousands of workers are needed to fill regional vacancies. What more could you want, working in the bush, learning and doing new things while getting paid for it? If only I was young.
Sell-out warning
BE careful what you wish for, Phil (“Put Tassie up for tender”, Letters, September 26). Many a true word is spoken in jest!
Houses burning
WITH talk about providing more houses for the homeless, surprise, surprise, another home burns in Gagebrook. This type of thing happens too often. GPO Box 334, Hobart, Tas 7001
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