It is time for change — and that goes for airports

THE millions of young people and their supporters who have attended climate protest events in recent days are testimony to the exploding universal awareness that we are all staring down the barrel of an epic crisis.

The science is absolutely unequivocal. If we cannot reduce our net atmospheric carbon emissions to zero within the next decade, we and many biological systems will face irreversible ecocatastrophe.

To avert this, all of us must immediately start changing how we do virtually everything. In Otago, this will mean eliminating the use of fossil fuelpowered transport, including international air travel on which the current tourism boom depends.

So, why is the Queenstown Airport Corporation even contemplating dramatically expanding its airport infrastructure and projected passenger movements, and why are none of the candidates standing in our local body elections even discussing or questioning this?

I do hear several of them talking solemnly about ‘‘sustainable growth’’.

If fossil fuels are involved then this term is an oxymoron.

Gilbert van Reenen

Wanaka

Cycleways

WE are told we have a userpays system for many aspects of society.

I have a dog, therefore I pay for its licence. If I send more rubbish to the tip, I pay for more bags. I have a car, so I pay for a driver’s licence, vehicle licence and roaduser charges.

All fair and sensible. Can any of our election candidates therefore explain why ratepayers/taxpayers are subsidising a private company (Lime) and cyclists for whom millions of dollars have been spent on cycle paths for a small minority of Dunedin’s citizens?

Isn’t it time they started to pay their fair share? David Tordoff Macandrew Bay ..................................

BIBLE READING: How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all. — Psalm 104.24.