House prices not always something to celebrate
PROPERTY prices are on the rise in Otago, extols the ODT business page (4.1.19).
Week in, week out, we get similar accolades. Aren’t we doing well!
It’s time business editors took a deep breath. Are we on the mad scramble to match Auckland and Lakes District house prices?
The net result is few average wage earners and firsthome buyers can afford their own homes, or pay escalating prices for rentals. It just adds to burgeoning inequality.
Dunedin may be the recipient of cashedup buyers from the major cities seeking equity through purchase of a cheaper Dunedin property. Hence, an escalating population.
In the meantime, local authorities in both Queenstown and Auckland are doing their damnedest to establish socalled affordable housing. So who can realistically afford a halfamilliondollar house?
Dunedin, Oamaru and other Otago townships are best to keep prices at a consistent level for workers to have a fighting chance of owning their own home.
Business editors, please keep these facts in mind, and tone down the hype. Jim Childerstone
Hampden
Climate change
DR Mike Palin’s attack on Dr Jock Allison (ODT, 20.12.18) is typical of alarmists. Attack the person rather than the issues raised. He then proceeds with two fallacious statements of his own.
Allison and Sheahan have recently published a paper showing the ineffectiveness of methane as a greenhouse gas. This paper adds to the tsunami of papers in recent years that contradict the claims of the IPCC. So what is Dr Palin’s contribution?
Dr Palin claims global temperatures have risen in accord with the models. In fact, the models show a temperature increase two to three times that of the land or satellite databases.
Then he tells us there is compelling data from a wide range of sources. It is very easy to make such bold assertions, but where is the physical evidence? The Climate Science Coalition offered $6000 for anyone who could provide a paper, based on observation, that showed CO2 was driving climate change. Obviously Dr Palin has the information to take the prize, or is it that he confuses evidence of a warming climate with evidence for the cause?
Hundreds of peerreviewed papers have been published that say that the observed climate change is natural. Of the hundreds of climate changes we know of, not one has been driven by CO2. We look forward to the compelling evidence that Dr Palin is going to provide that shows CO2 driving climate change for the very first time in at least 600 million years of Earth’s history. Peter Foster
Merton
Dog mess
SOMEBODY is leaving these green bags all over Dunedin’s walking trails.Three were picked up on the Flagstaff/Pineapple loop, another on Flagstaff Creek track.
This mess is giving considerate dog owners a bad name.
It appears that some education is needed. Sure we’ve been told to pick up dog poo using a plastic bag. But the idea is to put the waste in a bin or to take it home, not to leave it lying there.
Maybe the offender thinks a green bag is good for the environment! Graham Spenceley
Wakari