ALL ABOUT BIG BUSINESS
Anecdotally, from media reports and discussions it would appear the majority of farmers intend to support Liberal/National Party candidates in the coming election. Climate change has been identified as one of the major electoral issues facing the country and one that is impacting right now on farms and farmers. There appears to be a contradiction where the conservatives are climate change deniers without any effective plan to address the issue and on the other hand, farmers recognise and see the result of more frequent droughts, floods bush fires etc as the result of a changing climate.
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When asked farmers state that they support the conservatives because they represent business This is difficult to understand while the big supermarket chains rip-off dairy farmers along with other food producers and mining licenses are handed out on good agricultural land to the mining industry. Tax cuts and subsides are no good if you don't have a business. It is all about big business.
Ken Bone, Conjola Park
PROVERBIAL AND WIND
In response to the article 'Greens to push Labor on climate' (Illawarra Mercury, Thursday May 2, 2019), the climate change obsession is truly ridiculous. The experts tell us that carbon dioxide makes up four per cent of our atmospheric gases. In Australia, we contribute 1.3 percent of the total carbon emissions of three per cent caused by human activity.
Our chief scientist has already stated "if Australia shuts down our industries and businesses, it will make hardly any difference to global emissions". Interestingly, China produces 1.3 per cent of carbon emissions every 6 weeks and allowed to do what it wants? Apparently, this is alright with climate activists? Yet, the Greens want 100 per cent renewables for Australia and total shut down of the coal industry. And if there is no coal then we cannot produce steel for the wind turbines. That should be fascinating?
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow
A PIVOTAL PERIOD
Well 2018/2019 may yet turn out to be pivotal years for climate change. In Australia, we have had floods, fires and extreme heat and the spectacular fish kill in the Darling/Barwon rivers (easily attributable to normal climate variability) but on analysis attributable to climate change. The declaration of a climate emergency in the UK, the decision by Germany to ultimately close their coal fired power station, the decision by banks to no longer support the financing of coal power station infrastructure, the decision by Glencore to cap steaming coal production, the decisions being made by the corporate sector to prepare and protect their businesses from the impacts of climate change. The steam engine fueled by coal has had its day in the sun and Manchester will be able to see the sun.
Decisions will be made and climate change deniers like Adrian Devlin will have to fit in and will have very little choice but to live with the decision or find alternatives. It is very clear that climate change is on the mind of the electorate and demanding it be dealt with. We are fortunate to have students who will continue to remind us of what the judicious direction should be. Climate change deniers, enjoy the journey, because you are in for a ride.
Peter Corkish, Wollongong
