Otago Daily Times

This is the time to take stock and prioritise global sustainabi­lity

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HUMAN communitie­s are dependent on the healthy functionin­g of Earth’s ecosystems for their continued existence.

The planet is constantly showing signs of extreme stress — the largescale disruption­s of Earth’s systems: extreme weather events, cyclones, fires, floods, rising sea levels, extinction of species, huge social inequaliti­es, even pandemics — the result of human activities which fail to respect Earth’s systems and Earth’s limits.

We ignore the signals at our peril. The old narrative of growth and consumeris­m, competitio­n and market forces, may seem difficult to displace, especially as it benefits the wealthy and the power holders.

Households and nations are trapped in a system of globalisat­ion, foods out of season, internatio­nal travel and migrant labour, all based on the use of fossil fuels. Our current economic system, with the lifestyle it dictates, perpetuate­s the growing crises.

Transition to a more sustainabl­e, lowcarbon future is essential and urgent, but it is a difficult message to get across.

The new narrative about resilient and sustainabl­e local communitie­s living in harmony with the biosphere will become more accepted as we recognise the benefits it brings, as we did during lockdown.

It is a story about living by nature’s principles and must be the foundation of the planning and functionin­g of all human systems from now on.

To use the words of Margaret Thatcher, there is no alternativ­e. Patricia Scott

Outram

Taieri roads

I AM not a happy ratepayer while looking at yet more painted lines being put on to already narrow roads in Mosgiel.

I use Carlyle Rd — turning into Bush Rd on a daily basis.

I have never whitnessed an accident or anyone driving agressivel­y around this corner.

But now that the corner has been narrowed to the point of the ridiculous, it has become a complete mess, making the turn on to Bush Rd quite dangerous.

When large trucks drive down Bush Rd, it is impossible to turn into the left lane (because it has become so narrow with yellow markers, road cones and painted lines). This is holding up turning traffic and causing a dangerous lack of space.

I am horrified at the addition of tacky concrete planters (or, heaven help us, are they plastic?) with hideous butterflie­s, spots, eyes, hearts — you name it. They and the black and white ‘‘slugs’’ look quite revolting.

I am getting heartily sick of the council spending money on ‘‘trials’’ that look disgracefu­l. Please rethink this project.

Jill Holland

Mosgiel

[Abridged]

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