2407msletters2

Opposition to change will cost us dearly

For weeks the news has carried reports of record heatwaves in the northern hemisphere that are expected to continue throughout August (“Scorched by burning questions”, July 24). Wildfires are raging in Greece and California at the same time as torrential rain and flash flooding have caused havoc and destruction in South Korea, Colorado, India and Italy. Extreme weather events are occurring worldwide exactly as predicted by climate scientists decades ago. It is particularly galling to know that we are a decade behind in our climate mitigation action due to climate deniers and obstructors within the previous Coalition governments, who deliberately blocked action to transition from fossil-fuelled energy to renewables by casting doubt on the science and highlighting the cost of doing so. As Sean Kelly points out, the same negative tactics are now being used against the Voice. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, and “if you don’t know, vote no” are conservative mantras designed to prevent progressive action that is well overdue. Whether this opposition to change is genuine or politically based, it is costing future generations dearly and will be judged harshly by them.
Alan Marel, North Curl Curl

Thanks, Sean Kelly for your well-articulated warning to Australia; your headline says it all and we must act, now, or be damned. The climate change impacts we are already suffering can’t be denied or ignored any longer by our inactive “leaders”.

Barry Laing, Castle Cove

The climate crisis we’re facing is a collective crime - the world has long ignored the need for urgent action and we’re paying the price. The Voice is our moment and as Australians, we own this opportunity to make a positive change, it’s a request so simple that it shouldn’t need asking. Yes to engagement, Yes to commencing reparations long overdue. It’s the first step. Should No be our response, we will walk alone with the weight of that decision.

Janet Argall, Dulwich Hill

Sean Kelly is correct that both the Voice and climate issues aim at making people’s lives better, so we must vote Yes to the Voice, and stop fossil fuels.

Barbara Fraser, Burwood

Sean Kelly’s article reminded me yet again about the boiling frog syndrome. When I first heard this more than 30 years ago, I was fascinated by the concept but thought ‘oh well, just an unperspicacious frog’. For heaven’s sake, isn’t it time to realise we are all boiling frogs?

Ellie Fitz-Gerald, Orange