Real and positive action needed
As I perceive it the majority of the people in Australia want to see urgent action taken by our Federal Government to counter human induced climate change. This is long overdue.
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The big problem now is how can any real and positive action be taken by the Federal Coalition Government regarding reducing greenhouse emissions with Barnaby Joyce being both the Deputy Prime minister Of Australia and leader of the National Party.
Reducing greenhouse emissions to net zero is an essential requirement to countering human induced climate change. The absolute reality is that both Barnaby Joyce and the Nationals are firmly opposed to reducing greenhouse emissions.
Human induced climate change is a threat to all life on earth. This is a proven scientific fact. Time is running out to avoid a climate catastrophe.
The existing problems facing the Coalition regarding climate change are easily assessed but solving the problems will require a level of understanding and flexibility not often seen in the Political Sphere.
There can be no ifs or buts here, the Federal Coalition must quickly resolve the problems that they have created. In my opinion no alternative will be acceptable to the majority of people in Australia. A Federal election is looming.
Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank, South Australia
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Don't cook the planet, Barnaby!
Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce likens our emissions policy to a restaurant menu ('Joyce refuses 2050 net zero promise,' July 20th). He would like to see what's on the menu and the cost, before he makes his choice. However, the Coalition has already had the opportunity to cook up a plan, plus cost estimates for emissions targets. It is commonly known as the Federal Budget. Barnaby Joyce, the Australian public is hungry for change. We would like our meal prepared using renewable electricity, not gas or a coal-burning antique stove. We would also prefer our very rare planet is not burned to a crisp.
Anne O'Hara, Wanniassa
Give the man a menu
It is probably too much to hope that Barnaby Joyce will read a recent paper from the Climate Council and Melbourne University which exhaustively details the costs to Australia of meeting Paris Accord climate targets versus failing to do so.
Given Joyce's love of restaurant speak, maybe we should just name the results and put them on a simple menu: Safer Future - $122 billion and Warmed Chaos - $2.7 trillion.
Hopefully the father of six will see the option which costs five percent of the other, and is much less deadly, is the one the family wants.
Lesley Walker, Northcote
Barnaby's buffet
Barnaby Joyce is the Deputy Prime Minister and a member of the Coalition Government, in power since 2013. He recently dismissed calls to consider a policy of net-zero emissions by 2050, likening it to a restaurant menu: "...tell me what it costs. Tell me how we do it." (Barnaby Joyce refuses to commit to 2050 net zero target without first 'seeing menu' - NDL 19/07/2021).
Setting aside the concern that Barnaby doesn't know this information after eight years in power and holding the second highest office of the land, I suggest he start looking at the cost to the economy if Australia doesn't get serious about meeting net-zero emissions.
Economic modelling from Melbourne University in February 2020 ('What are the full economic costs to Australia from Climate Change?') indicated that the costs of Australia not meeting the Paris Accord target to 2050 is $1.19 trillion dollars. This figure includes infrastructure damage, agriculture and labour productivity losses, and losses in biodiversity and human health, but does not include the cost of extreme weather events, which we know will also add to the bill.
This figure pales in comparison to the $122 billion dollars estimated for Australia to meet the Paris Accord Target for Australia for 2050 (roughly 1.8C warming or slightly less). I respectfully suggest Mr Joyce spend less time on restaurant menu analogies and more time doing his job as the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia in meeting the challenges of the future.
Tessa Rainbird, Tamworth
Restricting our daily lives
Today's (Tuesday, NDL, July 20) front page article headed "Slow Zone" about council's effort to lower the speed limit to 40km/h on more roads has astounded me.
It not just the fact that it is yet another limitation coming on top of the recent addition of more parking meters in our streets. It is the timing of this.
Never have we had so many restrictions on our daily lives because of this COVID virus. Never have we had so many challenges to our mental health
As our freedoms have had to be curtailed. Reading the article I really wondered about the reasons for attempting to introduce these extra limitations on our roads.
Is it really due to safety or money raising and has anyone thought it wise to do it in the challenged times of today. Now is not the time it shows a lack of sensitivity and consideration for ratepayers.
Jenny Peberdy, Tamworth