Economic paradigm

With the recent New Zealand petroleum conference bringing up discussions on the complexity of when and how to reduce fossil fuel use, I thought the subject could use some simplification.

The discussion around the complexities of adapting to climate change ignores some uncomplicated fundamentals. Simple measured fact and maths shows us we have to leave all remaining carbon in the ground and still pursue carbon sequestration to have a reasonable shot at keeping civilisation viable. But current technologies of sequestration are woefully inadequate.

So any discussions around the economics and fossil fuel weaning-off periods, complex though they are, seem like shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic.

We need discussions on how to live without our current economic paradigm, which is the prime driver to excessive consuming. Possibly we need to go back to an agrarian, bartering, localised society. THOMAS DAVIES Island Bay