CLIMATE CHANGE UN Code Red means it’s time to act
THE United Nations International Panel of Climate Change Experts’ declaration of Code Red for planet warning should cause a rethink by those Clarence councillors who voted against last year’s attempt to declare a climate change emergency. As with Covid, we need to listen to the science and put the anti-vaxers and climate change deniers in the dust bin of history.
As a matter of urgency, we should audit council operations to establish an aggressive emissions-reduction target and pursue local production of green energy such as hydrogen.
TURNING THE CORNER
WHAT a wonderfully understated piece by Simon Bevilacqua (“Climate change now a shared fact”, Mercury, October 16). He is to be congratulated, along with other writers of conviction, for riding out the “green” slurs from climate change sceptics. Much of the putdowns were purely political, and as we are learning, much of the political rhetoric is dictated by wealthy industry groups who make “donations” to buy influence at government level. “The voices of reason” still have a hard slog ahead of them, although News Corp turning the corner on their climate change stance will help swing conservative readers to the side of science.
I can only hope climate modelling is being been used as TasNetworks pushes ahead with both Marinus cables. Cheryl Salter
Longford
TRY AGAIN
Tony Mulder Clarence councillor
SIMON Bevilacqua unashamedly admits bias. He admits the people feeding him info for decades have been and are dependent on the “climate change” being widely believed (because their livelihood and future grants depend
upon it). Yet, he refers to a metaphorical jury being convinced beyond reasonable doubt.
If Simon was as acquainted with the legal system as he was with his likeminded friends, he might appreciate that as so much of what he thinks is evidence is so tainted that much of it would be inadmissable. What is not missable are the flaws in the models, the flaws in the science (unrepeatable “experiments”) and the mistaken belief his jury would be convinced by unsubstantiated assertions. Try again.
Kelvin Markham
Austins Ferry
COVIDIOTS V. CLIMIDIOTS
WHO to put last on the ballot paper — the Covidiots or the clime-idiots? (“Climate change now a shared fact”, Simon Bevilacqua, October 16).
Decisions, decisions.
VOICES OF REASON
Stephen Jeffery Sandy Bay
IT’S a relief to see people like Hydro Tasmania’s executive general manager, Commercial, Caroline Wykamp write about the dangers of climate change (Talking Point October 15). But instead of preaching like they discovered the threat, they should admit that greenies, who they have derided for years, were right all along. Just like it’s now accepted that the expertise of indigenous people should be harnessed in managing bushfire danger. Most greenies have a much better idea what they’re talking about, and are not merely interested in climate change as a business opportunity.
Andrew Hejtmanek Howden
INTEGRATED SOLUTION
IT is great to see the Premier’s plan to commit to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. One key strategy to achieve this will be drastically reducing emissions from transport, particularly by commuters in private cars. This will require most commuters to switch to public transport (preferably electrified), new housing developments to be planned around public transport services, and more park-and-rides.
Unfortunately, this aspiration is at odds with budget plans to facilitate car transport by spending $400million widening roads (including the Southern Outlet, Sorell, Kingston Bypass, South Arm Rd), but only $5million over the next four years for park-and-rides (nothing this year) and $6million for bus stops. The $20million for school buses is welcome, but a much more integrated solution is required.
DAM THE FRANKLIN
I NOTE Twiggy Forrest is intending to build a green hydrogen plant in Bell Bay (Mercury, October 13). I also read that Peter Gutwein has announced the intention for Tasmania to have net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Perhaps if we went ahead with the Gordonbelow-Franklin dam and stopped selling our renewable energy to Victoria both aims could be realised?
GREEN TRANSPORT
S. Wright Hobart
Rod Force Sandy Bay
WE welcome the Tasmanian Governments commitment to net zero emissions by 2030. To do this we have to address transport emissions, a much neglected component of Tasmania’s carbon emissions. These have continued to trend upwards. The government has to send less freight by road, more by rail. Convert trucks and ships and rail to alternative fuels. Electrify public transport and phase out petrol and diesel. Every vehicle powered by electricity (or hydrogen) is money in the state governments coffers. So far the state government commitment to electrifying public transport is just one electric bus for Hobart and possibly a hydrogen bus for Launceston. Hobart needs a lightrail system that runs on hydrogen or electricity. So far the government has given no commitment to retaining rail in Hobart. Transport on rail is more energy efficient than transport by road.
Christian Bell Pedestrian and Public Transport Users Group Inc
OFF TO ASHLEY
THE absconder from the quarantine hotel who brought such misery to southern Tasmania should be punished. Send him to that hell hole, Ashley Detention Centre.
Hank Dikkenberg
Glenorchy
CALLED LIKE A DOG
THE Prince beckons and our PM scurries to Glasgow, tail between his legs, bereft of benefaction for the climate.
Ian Broinowski
Battery Point
LOCKDOWN LOCKSTEP
MAY I suggest the Covidiot be locked up!
GET WITH THE PROGRAM
I JUST returned from a walk on the Pipeline Track at Fern Tree. I wore a mask. Most adults I met did not. I object to joggers who passed in both directions breathing heavily, no doubt expelling droplets. What is it these people don’t get?
ANOTHER SCOMO MIRACLE? CAN ScoMo’s conversion to NetZero be regarded as a miracle?
Fred Groenier Don
HE’S NOT AN IDIOT
THIS person is not an idiot, stupid, selfish, irresponsible ... he is a criminal who threatens lives and livelihoods, and is not at all in fear of fines. Why is arrest not an option?
Chris Gibson
Launceston
RACE TO THE BOTTOM
WHO is more stupid, the man who broke quarantine, or the state who let him in?
Miles C. Pitman Dover
DESERVE A FINE
Chris Needham Kingston
Sue Ball Fern Tree
YOU can’t get on a plane without a ticket but you can get on a plane without a Covid permit. The airline that brought this individual must be held responsible.They brought him here without due diligence and deserve a substantial fine. Sid Abraham
Molesworth
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
IT is unconscionable nearly half the Australian population don’t want to pay to achieve netzero emissions by 2050 (Mission Zero article, Mercury, October 12).
Phil Hesketh Taroona