‘Killing this world’

MEMBERS of the Southern Downs community have given their thoughts on climate change, outlining their concerns and views on one of the most topical and current global issues.

From their opinions on sustainable energy sources to water supply, nothing was off limits when the Border Post spoke to residents on Monday.

Lynne Mungall from Ballandean said climate change was a “real” and “scary” issue.

“It’s scary what’s happening, we don’t know how to fix it. The whole world needs to be involved in fixing it,” she said.

“I’m always worried about the water, it’s an issue that unfortunately people across Australia take for granted.”

Ruth Offer from Tenterfield said the climate had been changing on and off for years.

“It happened in lifetimes before us, but in our lifetime we’re thinking it’s the first time we’re experiencing it,” she said.

Ms Offer said it was important for political figures and governments to address the issue.

“Present politicians left or right need to sit up and take notice of their environment and listen to what their constituents are saying and the world is saying, we don’t want Australia to get left behind,” she said.

Ms Offer said the government only addressed an issue in reaction to a major event.

“Probably not enough is being done and they’re leaving this for the last minute, this is not the way to go,” she said.

Sue-Ann Gilmour from Stanthorpe said she believed there was a reason the weather has become more unpredictable recently.

“It’s a whole cycle of the heat, the extremes. I know the hailstorms are part and parcel of the Granite Belt, but on Thursday it did happen in places you don’t normally get the extremities of the weather,” she said.

Anita and Arnin Stockburger from Logan said climate change was a “huge” issue that needed to be addressed as soon as possible.

“We’re killing this world, we have to think about the next generation and our grandchildren,” Mrs Stockburger said.

Mr Stockburger said a solution was getting rid of coal, which would make the air cleaner.

Shelley Jackson from the Gold Coast said she believed climate change was a major issue that needed to be addressed by implementing sustainable practices.

“We need to change to better power sources rather than coal, like solar or wind power,” she said.