Immediate affects
I am so glad that Bega Council has faced our reality. For over 30 years I have studied the gathering heat in our world, and have read the scientific papers and popular reports, and have watched with horror inaction, both political and local, that is needed to safeguard us all.
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The coming storm is not attractive. Just three things will immediately affect us:
Increasing heat will affect crops and animals, and it won't be long before we will be forced to shelter our cattle from the sun;
With heat being combined with chaotic weather we can expect catastrophic fires the CSIRO states will be so fierce they can't be stopped until they reach the ocean; and
We humans we punch the air-con buttons and unless you have solar power can expect the main system to fail under the load.
In discussing only heating I make no mention of sea level rise, loss of insects and bees, diseases and toads migrating from the north, and a myriad other consequences of the crisis.
It clearly is an emergency and I am grateful that council has seen to place this issue squarely on the agenda.
John James, PhD, OAM, Brogo
Listened to community
Congratulations Bega Valley Shire Council for declaring a climate emergency. You have listened to your community who are concerned about the impacts of climate change and want strong, urgent action to address it.
Bega Valley joins about 40 Australian councils and jurisdictions who have now publicly declared a climate emergency.
Local councils and communities have taken a leadership role in Australia's climate action. What we do matters and we need to lift our ambition for a transition away for fossil fuels and a 100% renewable future.
Thank you Bega Valley Shire Council for being part of creating a better future for all of us.
Jane Garcia, Marrickville
Progressive leadership
I am glad to see the motion passed. I think we need strong progressive leaders to deal with this issue, given how intangible it can be day to day. It's too easy to push under the carpet.
Brooke Marshall, Bega
Nuclear power needed
If we are concerned about global warming, it behoves us to consider the most powerful tool to address it ever devised. We need nuclear power, and we need to stop denying its value and necessity. Go nuclear!
Craig Schumacher, Nimmitabel
Focused on facts
Regarding Ben Smyth's editorial on climate change, thanks for being so common sense and focused on the facts (i.e. the scientific evidence). Yes - what is the harm in considering the environment in our decision making? Let's get on with responding to this climate emergency and not give time or airspace to a vocal and uninformed minority. I look forward to seeing more fact-driven, common sense reporting from BDN
Lyb Makin, Brogo
Common sense lacking
"Disposal in NSW waters would bring sharks feeding on the carcass into the path of migrating whales, preventing a risk to calves and weak adult whales, council said."
Seriously? By towing it out into open water it would be eaten by sharks, yes. With full bellies they would not be interested in any other prey, including those stated above.
Sometimes common sense is not so common.
Michael St John, Port Kembla
Creating a spectacle
I find this disturbing - do you think whales do not die at sea? Why would you not take it back out and let nature take its course. Instead you have created a spectacle for the public on towing the whale from the water up the sand in a truck and dumped.