Thinking of sensible options for climate change
I CHALLENGE those like Jerry Lynch (ODT, 6.12.18) and Aulis Alen (ODT, 1.1.18) to think again before charging ahead with desperate and draconian measures to combat climate change.
I agree there is certainly urgency required to combat climate change by both reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon sequestration. However, the choices we make in how we go about this will have a profound effect on the nature of the world our children and grandchildren will inherit, and we are not lacking in choices. The problem is a lack of political will to make those choices.
The claim that wilding conifers grow ‘‘for free, presenting no real negative environmental effects’’ is simply wrong. To choose, as our country’s method of addressing climate change, the allowing of wilding conifers to spread uncontrolled across some of our most treasured landscapes, with all the known consequences of loss of indigenous ecosystems and unique landscapes, increased extinctions, and reduced water yield from streams, would be environmental negligence.
It would be almost as bad as doing nothing when there are clearly other options available for sequestering carbon by the managed planting of forests, both native and exotic, by reducing emissions through encouraging more greenhouse friendly land uses and by transitioning transport to nonfossil fuel sources.
If we all keep our heads and think carefully about how we might transition to a lowcarbon economy, we can have a country and a landscape that we can be proud to pass on to our children. The right tree in the right place is all that we ask for.
Phil Murray Central Otago Wilding Conifer
Control Group
Waterfront plan
THERE is evidence that marinas in cities around the world provide huge benefits that include economic, social and employment opportunities. Within the Dunedin waterfront development, there is provision for water taxis and cruise ship ferrying but no provision for short or longstay berthing for boats. The Careys Bay marina is limited with water not deep enough for bigger boats.
Opportunities to encourage super yachts, leisure crafts, longterm boat owners or fishing or boating businesses to Dunedin do not seem to have been considered.
This project appears financially challenging with amendments to the design already made, and any opportunity to provide other forms of income from the development would obviously be financially advantageous.
While the photos and flyover video look stunning, without the vibrancy of boating life which is a natural addition to any harbour, it looks unnatural and sterile. Why has this not been considered?
J. McCammon
Company Bay ..................................
BIBLE READING:
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling . . . — Psalm 56:13