Dilemma of air travel pollution

It is well that Air New Zealand is doing what it can to eliminate its use of plastic and find ways to cut down waste operations in observance of the need to be ecologically on stream (January 12).

But all its efforts would not seem to compensate for the amount of kerosene that its planes spew into the inner atmosphere, along with all the other airlines doing the same.

If, according to estimates, they are 2 to 3 per cent of our global emissions, the outlook is that they will increase exponentially with no let-up because of our expectations of future flight, not including rocketry or other invasions of our airspace. No other fuel has been found to be practical or even usable.

This appears to be a problem that so far none of our green advocates seem willing to confront as they fly to save-the climate meetings across the world. They realise the drastic regulations needed would be a complete reversal of what most people regard as future progress.

Instead of trying to stop the world and get off, it would be better to concentrate our efforts to do all we can to prevent disasters and adapt to climate change, which does seem to be occurring, manmade or not (excuse the gender).

We need to locate our population centres away from low-lying coasts, conserve and store our water and desalinate it (since even in floods fresh water is a necessity) and research all forms of energy for its independent, individual usage. Atomic energy would be safer if we achieve nuclear fusion instead of fission. Anne Wilks, Devonport.

Human equality

Mark Lewis-Wilson is absolutely correct in his analysis of differences between individuals and the sexes (January 14).

However, his view ignores the crucial point that equality really should concern the ways in which human beings are treated by fellow human beings.

He says that all any individual has to do is choose their own life and work at enjoying it to the full. This assumes that each has the same opportunities — often not the case. Equality, whether by gender, race or creed, should include equality of opportunities in terms of health, living and education standards.

It follows, of course, in that ideal world, the ways individuals might take advantage of their opportunities will be determined by the individual’s genetic makeup, inevitably unequally.

Duncan France, Katikati.

Terminal sedation

I wish to thank correspondent Ann David for giving a name, “terminal sedation”, to the process being used commonly by hospitals and palliative care institutions for dealing with end-of-life situations because it is legal.

I have witnessed the exact procedure (nil by mouth plus sedation) applied to my mother who was 99 at the time and had suffered a broken hip in a fall. She was deemed too risky to be operated on. The process took about a week. She had no choice or chance.

I questioned the Chief Medical Officer and the chairman of the Auckland City Hospital about procedures relating to my mother’s situation and was unable to obtain satisfactory answers.

The need for transparency, mercy and compassion for people who have reached the end of their life has driven me to pursue additional end-of-life options for those who wish to end suffering gracefully. It must be their choice.

The End of Life Choice Bill, while it may have a few warts in its draft form, is a good start. Hopefully, one day it may be extended to cover other situations like the one faced by my mother.

Bill Cromwell, Tauranga.

EV pollution

I would like to say to all the advocates of electric vehicles that they are not pollution-free. They need charging from power systems that are oil, gas, coal and nuclear-powered, all of which are polluting.

The only non-polluting power systems are hydro, geothermal and wind — which visually pollutes with ugly turbines.

The gas, coal and oil-fired power stations add to global warming and the nuclear stations produce radioactive waste which we still cannot dispose of safely.

Has anyone thought what happens to the batteries when they reach the end of their usable life? How do we recycle them? We already have problems recycling lead acid car batteries. John Laing, Drury.

East Newton cleanout

Further to the article about East Newton it may interest your writer to know that the cleanout of Newton/Eden Terrace happened around the early 1960s.

I distinctly recall the excitement of my parents when the area was designated by the town planners as light industrial and how the land values rose as a consequence. The area was cleared of a lot of the housing over about 18 months and the scaffolding and building sites of the factories that replaced them became the playground of local children.

John Capener, Kawerau.

Accepting blame

Why are people so quick to blame society when most troubles are self-inflicted?

Our future is determined by the choices we have made in the past. Most of our communities are law-abiding and conservative and plan ahead for schooling, marriage, retirement, housing, etc, while there will always be a small percentage who believe the world owes them everything.

If someone wants a house then work for it, don’t expect it to be given as a right. If a person drinks heavily, smokes, doesn’t exercise, lives on junk food and then becomes unwell don’t blame society for health problems. Place the blame where it belongs, themself. Jon Stafford, Hastings.

Fragile democracy

Greg Bruce’s informative article in canvas about Anne-Marie Brady is courageous on many fronts. It reinforces the fragile nature of democracy in an open society and the vigilance needed to protect it for all who are privileged to call New Zealand home. It means calling out those who threaten justice, the rule of law, truth and individual freedom that so many of our ancestors, Maori and Pakeha, lost their lives defending. This current “warfare” is subtle and personally invasive, more difficult to combat but should be fearlessly challenged by each of us.

Mary Tallon, Morningside.

Superlative care

I recently spent five nights in Middlemore Hospital for a heart/breathing complaint. I received superlative care from all the staff in my ward — doctors, nurses, catering staff and orderlies.

DHBs get a poor rap from many, but I have nothing but praise and admiration for the outstanding professionalism I experienced — even the food was okay.

Mike Young, Riverhead.

Pedestrians’ folly

When I grew up in Auckland during the 1950s, we were taught to “Look right, look left, and then right again” before walking on to a pedestrian crossing. We were also told to wait until the cars had come to a halt before proceeding.

I’m not sure what has happened over the last 50 years but I notice most others walk headlong on to the crossing without any sense of caution.

I am guessing they assume they are somehow bulletproof on a designated crossing. If a car fails to stop and hits them I imagine they will have six months or so to reflect on their actions in hospital.

I would respectfully suggest all pedestrians should proceed with caution before crossing busy roads as with car stereos and mobile devices, motorists are more distracted than ever before.

Glen Stanton, Mairangi Bay.

Exercise advice

Julie Broderick’s well-intentioned exercise advice (“Getting a Healthy Dose of Exercise”, January 14) was too complicated for most people.

At the age of 30, my California company organised a physical exam for everyone. After reviewing the treadmill and ECG results, the doctor informed me I was a prime heart-attack candidate.

I was given a pamphlet from the US Food and Drug Administration whose advice was a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous physical exercise such as running or swimming, at least three times per week.

I have stuck with it religiously. After only one year of this regime, I repeated the physical exam with the treadmill and ECG and was pronounced to have an “athlete’s heart”.

At the age of 73, I am still in excellent health due to following that advice.

John Caldwell, Howick.