Hard work gives you wings

ON the subject of home schooling, do you think famous people such as Charles Darwin, Mark Twain and Albert Einstein had “well-equipped” schools, either private or public, or did they just have a love for learning? There are even Australian examples of inventors working from backyard sheds or books and assembling such things as microwave ovens. Another example is Ben Lexcen. So push on kids. A good work ethic also helps.

Maureen Newman

Howrah

Charge for empty shacks

YES folks, we’re all in this together. Well, nearly. Since March 30, us shack owners have been banned from sleeping overnight in our weekend dwellings. I have been sticking to this rule. As we are all aware Aurora Energy charge power users a daily rental charge on our power and hot water meters. In our case this amounts to about $111 a quarter. Considering we are not permitted to use our shack for some time, it is hardly fair for Aurora to keep charging this fee. Thanks for the goodwill.

Graham Roberts West Hobart

Odd RSPCA appointment

FORMER Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis has been appointed CEO of RSPCA Tasmania. As former head of the TFGA, Ms Davis has had a wealth of experience denying the institutionalised violence and cruelty of animal agribusiness. The RSPCA acknowledge the cruelty but, due to laws designed to protect the industry, cannot prosecute. According to the RSPCA website, “Intensive farming methods involve removing animals from their natural environments and keeping them housed or confined for all, or a large part, of their lives. They are raised in large numbers under controlled conditions, commonly involving use of hormones, antibiotics and vaccines.”

And “for many animals, housing is not necessary for animal welfare reasons, but is used … to increase productivity and/or reduce production costs. In such cases, intensive farming practices can adversely affect welfare by failing to provide animals with their basic needs, such as adequate space and the freedom to express essential natural behaviours.” Furthermore, “the RSPCA cannot prosecute them for using intensive farming practices, even when these practices are opposed by the RSPCA because they are inhumane and cruel.”

This appointment is odd and highlights the sham of agribusiness animal “welfare”.

K. McLaren Lenah Valley

Our lives depend on it

I AM alarmed reader David Legro should find Peter Boyer an “entertaining read” (Letters, May 7) and his quote that Chief Scientist Alan Finkel says it may take decades to decarbonise the planet. By then the planet may be unliveable. Scientists warned us 30 years ago rising greenhouse gas levels would cause increasingly serious problems for habitation on planet Earth, warnings largely ignored but now being proved absolutely correct. Anyone who can’t acknowledge the start of the alarming consequences of climate change is a danger to the rest of us, and if serious action is not taken, about half the planet may be uninhabitable by the end of the century, with the remaining half in chaos.

When COVID-19 hit us, governments listened to scientists and the more enlightened ones followed their advice. Because we still live in relative comfort (and we are the lucky ones, millions don’t), climate change is still not seen as our major problem. COVID-19 may be over and forgotten in a few years. Devastation of the planet will continue rapidly if warnings from the scientists go unheeded. Future generations, if there are any, will curse us.

John Sale Battery Point

Nursing home love

DURING these difficult and uncertain times it is most comforting for us elderly folk in being so well cared for in our Swansea Nursing Home. Doctors, nurses, CEO and the whole staff cheerfully tending to our every need. Food is more than ample and nourishing, there is excellent hygiene and many activities for mental and physical stimulation. And now through Skype we are visually able to keep in touch with our families, an added bonus.

Love you all.

Ninki Wynne

Swansea