The Northland Age

Deadly serious

-

Far from having fun with numbers, as the title of Peter Kerr’s letter implies (January 31), I’m deadly serious about refuting the grossly distorted interpreta­tion by Alan Jones of the Gistemp global land-ocean temperatur­e index, particular­ly for the years 2016-18.

In his letter ‘The point is . . . ’ (January 29), Alan Jones accuses me of muddying these statistics, which is arrant nonsense, as is his continued determinat­ion to persuade readers of more than half a degree Celsius drop in global land-ocean temperatur­e over the two years since early 2016. This is not true — it is a lie.

The Gistemp index is based on temperatur­e data collected at thousands of meteorolog­ical stations, buoys and ships around the globe, ie. actual measuremen­ts, and certainly not from ‘lies, damned lies and statistics’ cynically referred to by Peter Kerr.

For Alan Jones to describe the scientific consensus that currently accelerati­ng rates of human-induced global warming as a scam with political objectives is simply cranky contrarian nonsense.

The fact that mainstream media have not reported on a half-degree drop in global landocean temperatur­es over the past two years is because there hasn’t been one.

The Scripps Institutio­n of Oceanograp­hy, one of the oldest and largest centres for ocean and Earth science research in the world, says that it is clear from the numbers that the rise in CO2 is unambiguou­sly caused by human activity, principall­y fossil-fuel burning, and that it is known how much fossil fuel is converted into CO2 each year and emitted into the atmosphere.

However, the CO2 doesn’t all stay there. Some enters the ocean, and some is taken up by photosynth­esis, which ends up in land plants and various types of biological matter. About 57 per cent of the emissions have remained in the air.

Scripps says that few if any natural processes can release fossil carbon into the atmosphere as fast as humans are doing now by extracting and

burning fossil fuels.

Even US intelligen­ce officials now warn that climate change is a worldwide threat, and their recent annual assessment says climate hazards such as extreme weather, droughts, floods, wildfires and sea level rise threaten infrastruc­ture, health and security.

Global warming denialism is making political solutions much harder to achieve, and anyone who does not see this is either totally ignoring climate science or elects to remain wilfully ignorant ROSS FORBES

Kerikeri

how sad they continue to lose eggs, etc, through lack of protection or human responsibi­lity.

Further, what a waste of valuable food with the discarding of fish frames and heads, once more human responsibi­lity and food of value to needy families. Even if I am not in need, would welcome such gifts for my table.

How sad for Jim Morgan and his loss of Sandy. Once more lack of human responsibi­lity.

Re the petition for tougher sentences. What a laugh MP Matt King. Until we can obtain justice in the courts – instead of all the legal jargon an accountabi­lity of judges, many innocent people are going to be hurt through injustice, as denial is the oldest defence to any injustice. If Matt King seeks tougher sentences, then he admits our legal system is failing both the innocent and the guilty.

Honesty, truth and responsibi­lity can only provide justice, not denial as a defence for injustice. But hey, is that not what politics is about? Denial of the truth, eg. 10 bridges. Oh yeah. Run-down hospitals, homelessne­ss, poverty, failing education and much more.

Re students raise funds for wildlife — saving rat traps, perhaps MP Matt King this is a project that prisoners could do, as a form of giving something back to society. Better still perhaps our judges and MPs would become responsibl­e citizens and be in touch with real

people if they became involved in community activities. Food for thought Matt.

Myrtle rust is here to stay, along with many other diseases, pests, pollution and rubbish, so folks, keep your eyes open. Being responsibl­e is the answer to our and future generation­s’ problems.

The highlight of your last issue for 2018 goes to page 12, re ‘Residents enjoy Christmas show’.

Thanks very much for the time given and efforts of our local Indian community to share with our in-care elderly. The most precious gift we can give of ourselves to our fellow person of any age is our time.

Such a wonderful gift can be given by any nationalit­y, regardless of their religion or culture, to bring joy and happiness to many souls regardless of age or race. So my thanks to the Indian community for their time, effort and wonderful colourful display, for bringing joy to so many hearts. JOHN BASSETT

Diggers’ Valley

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand