Not heeding lessons of nature
Jobs and forests. How to have both?
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Without one we cannot have the other as we are both constrained and fortunate to live within Nature. This seems not been to have been clearly noted by those arguing for one before the other.
It was once thought slaves were totally necessary for the economy to survive, yet history indicates otherwise. Similarly, whales were the essential base fuel for our communities, yet that, too, has been replaced and we manage our lives.
Both cases related to what were regarded as natural resources, though not part of Nature itself.
Now we have trees, or more accurately, forests seen as a resource to use at will ad infinitum, because they grow again and again.
Well, that is not quite that simple, as Nature is interconnected and is far more than trees, which are essential for our health and well being: rain, clean water and air, at the least.
And all trees are not equal. This is undisputed across the world.
Jobs also are essential and this is not in doubt, either. Yet, jobs, like trees, are not all equal either. And like trees, some jobs are not continued ad infinitum, no matter what we might want.
If the new industrial development at the Eden Chipmill is approved in the name of securing jobs that destroy trees and habitat on industrial scale, then we have not heeded the lessons of history and Nature.
Some trees have to go, yes, as do some jobs. End jobs logging native forests.
Paul Payten, Bermagui
Inspiring leadership
The leadership of former Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner Greg Mullins has been inspiring ("We will see many more deaths: Call for national approach to early bushfire detection", BDN, July 31).
The Emergency Leaders for Climate Action call for a national climate disaster fund, payed for by the fossil fuel sector, makes sense and is overdue.
The Clean Energy Regulator found that just 10 companies contributed half of reported scope one emissions. Most are electricity generators, AGL being number one by a long shot. Such a levy would also help speed up the decarbonisation of our economy.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Vic
Huawei ads not a good look
As I understand it the Chinese Company Huawei is banned from our 5G network for security reasons.
So how come the Canberra Raiders are advertising them on their football jumpers?
Why haven't all our enlightened politicians in Canberra noticed. It certainly isn't a good look.
Frank Pearce, Bega
Fire intensity depends on fuel load
Mick Harewood (BDN letters 31/7), fire intensity depends on the fuel-load. That message goes back to the 1939 Stretton Royal Commission into the disastrous Black Friday fires.
Driven furnace-like from nearby forests, flames will certainly cross apparently grassless paddocks; however, several hundred kilograms of dry grass per hectare is exponentially less dangerous than a tonne of foot-high stubble or 20 tonnes or more of dehydrated accumulated undergrowth.
On the back of what happens in summer, the hazard reduction window on the South Coast opens in April while there is still sufficient moisture to ensure a cool burn; and closes in July before the onset of windy weather in August.
As the climate enters a drying phase and risks increase, early pre-emptive fuel reduction is the only tool in the toolbox. Compared to a box of matches, it's hugely expensive and ineffective to irrigate swathes of fiery forests in the middle of summer using water bombers.
With forest growth now locked-in until mid-summer, if rain fails to materialise by the end of February 2021 and dry conditions persist through March, remember the window still opens in April.
Missing the chance for hazard reduction action, like in 2013 and 2014 kicks the fuel drum down the road until hot dry winds strike again in some future January.
Although hopefully disaster won't repeat; if it does it won't be climate change; it will be those silly politicians, greenies, professors and RFS bureaucrats promising to change the weather by storing fuel in the forests.
Bill Johnston, Port Macquarie (ex-Bemboka)
'Community still has meaning'
So often the old generations hear "we must do it for future generations".
We have been asked to make costly sacrifices to future generations and you feel good for contributing. I wonder why some of the city-based, self-centred, selfish ones can't obey instructions when it comes to looking after those who have made our sacrifices when it comes to the COVID-19 fight?
Would it be selfish for me to ask government to allow us to dance on the Paris Climate Accord or on other environmental issues? Thank God I live in a community where the word community still has great meaning. So proud of the ones down here that will follow us.
Ron Snape, Tilba
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