Let’s work together to combat climate change
FRIDAY’S school climate action in Dunedin was pleasing in that there was quite a good turnout of school pupils, and that a few spoke well and knowledgeably.
It was not so pleasing to see an initial dominance of those of university age.
The event heated up when Cr Jim O’Malley yelled from the crowd that the council was in fact doing as much as it could. This is definitely not the case but nevertheless did not deserve the response from the speaker on stage at the time who told Jim to shut up (literally) and did not seem to know who he was speaking to.
Jim shot back with an observation of how many pupils get dropped off at school by their parents. Fair comment, save for the fact that there are no good cycling routes to schools in Dunedin. Generations in conflict?
Maybe it’s time, considering the danger that climate change poses, to move forward as a multigenerational team of five million.
This idea that climate change can only be addressed by splitting ourselves up into various age, sex, ethnic and who knows what else factions is bound to fail.
I would propose that Dunedin leads the way on this, and becomes a cycling city of note. One can, after all, cycle from one side to the other in 20 minutes or so.
Richard Seager
Kew
YOUR front page headline and photograph (ODT, 10.4.21) sends a clear message as to what these youngsters feel us oldies have neglected about their future.
They must realise that the future is in their hands, and they can , right now, do something positive and lead the way to change by example.
Multiple children are being delivered to school by petrol/dieselpowered vehicles that not only clog our roads, but spew out those horrible gases that will help to bring on the climate change. To help the environment, walk or cycle to school.
Have a look in your lunchboxes. Plastic lunchbox, plastic water bottles, goodies wrapped in aluminum — there are alternatives that are kinder on the environment.
Cellphones, laptops — thousands of your fellow children are being used to mine those rare metals for your playthings. Go on strike, and throw them away in support of those less fortunate children.
Look around your schools and see what environmentally damaging products are in use, and talk to your teachers and principals about replacement. Go on strike to get your point across.
There is so much you can do to turn your own lifestyle around, to save the planet. Lead by example and sort out your own patch first. You may be surprised at how much support you will get from us oldies.
You are the future. Grab it with both hands, and lead the way.
Brian Miller
East Taieri
Food packaging
WHILE I wholeheartedly agree that much packaging is deceptive, I do not agree with the comment that ‘‘packaging should mirror the product’’ (Letters, 13.4.21).
A mirror would make it look as if there was twice as much as is really there by adding the reflection to the reality.
Dr Kit Bunker
St Leonards ....................................
BIBLE READING: By the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. — Proverbs 16:6.