Our planet is life supporting and we must learn to sustain rather than ravage it. It is important to realise that peace, human rights, economy and environment are inextricably linked. We should share the need to care for the planetary environment and be prepared to help change social and economical policies throughout the world.
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We can make a difference by practising non-violent action and by being prepared to preserve by putting back as much as we take out. Non-violent action by not supporting the industries which are degrading the environment and boycotting the products they produce. We can create a new awareness, at the grass-roots level for life-supporting politics and solutions. We have the power to instigate change through the consequences of our vote; and if we direct our preferences towards environmentally friendly policies, then each and every one of us will be able to make a difference.
Steven Thomas, Shellharbour
Pollution from anchored ships
The ships that anchor off our beach are a health hazard. The sea and oil that seeps into their bilges and is regularly pumped out is polluting the ocean. Pumping out the sea from a bilge is necessary to keep the ship above the plimsoll line and afloat. It is now a problem because of the size of these monster ships and the number of them that are always out there.
Action from the Environment Protection Authority is necessary to address the problem. A problem that threatens our beach lifestyle and an important tourist attraction. The black muck that ends up on the bottom of the Continental Pool is from those bilges. Although there has been pollution before there was never black muck.
Reg Wilding, Wollongong
Why Australia is on the nose
It shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone that Australia is having diplomatic problems in the South Pacific. Climate change presents an existential threat to South Pacific nations. As one of the world's leading fossil fuel exporters, Australia is one of the world's biggest peddlers of climate change.
The International Energy Agency says "All the technologies needed to achieve the necessary deep cuts in global emissions by 2030 already exist, and the policies that can drive their deployment are already proven".
But, in spite of this, both major parties are espousing the view that our fossil fuel exports can and should continue indefinitely. This sends a clear message to the South Pacific that we don't care much about their future. Australia can expect more cool treatment from our South Pacific neighbours until it changes its stance.
Unless the world cuts fossil fuel use, temperatures will creep into the 50's in many parts of Australia. And summer will not be much fun.
Rowan Huxtable, Mangerton
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