Stop the climate debate and start decarbonizing
The latest State of the Climate report is grim reading (“Drier, Hotter, Wetter: CSIRO, BoM Confirm Australia’s Weather Will Get Even Worse,” 23 November). Yet we continue to engage in discussions about fossil fuels, renewable energy, and electric vehicle adoption. It is high time to enact plans to decarbonise the economy and mitigate the worst effects of droughts and wildfires, storms and floods. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
It is a hopeful sign that two federal ministers are making noise about how much we need to take climate action, after the release of the latest, very worrying State of the Climate report. Maybe, just maybe, they are quietly smoothing over the electorate before announcing much more drastic climate action and a much lower emissions target? We and all living things need such action, so we can only hope that this is Labour’s strategy, rather than the usual platitudes to calm the natives. barry laing, castle cove
It is clear that money, or the lack of it, is the real cause of climate change. Coal is still mined, gasoline cars are still sold instead of electric vehicles, flights and cruises are still accepted as a means of travel for vacations. Today it was announced that we are already 1.5 degrees warmer than a few years ago. When do governments start to act? When do people start thinking and demanding action? joanna Van Kool, crow’s nest
I was surprised to read that plug-in hybrid vehicles will continue to receive tax breaks until April 2025 (“Tax Relief Agreement Established to Accelerate EV Sales,” Nov. 23). That’s a lot of time wasted trying to encourage the sale of all-electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrids have been a useful transition for range-conscious people. This has prevented them from going fully electric. With the widest variety of new electric vehicles and the rise of charging stations, there is now no need for plug-in hybrids. Although they are better than a vehicle with a combustion engine, plug-in hybrids continue to pollute. Dennis O’Hara, Wanniassa (ACT)
Illustration: Matt GoldingCredit:
Until fossil fuel producers/exporters make the connection that their products, which by definition burn somehow, somewhere and therefore contribute to rising global temperatures, are indirectly responsible for climate disasters. like the New South Wales floods, then no progress will be made (Letters, November 23). The same occurs with partisan political attitudes. Keith Sutton, leichhardt
With six months into a Labor government, it looks like the Greens, Teals and Independents are providing a good balance on wide-ranging policy changes, including supercharging our electric vehicles. Hardly a constructive word from liberals, whose time in the desert seems to lengthen with each passing day. An ineffective party both in government and in opposition is not an easy thing to achieve. Michael Blissenden, last them
Small changes, lasting benefits
While reading Jenna Price’s article, I related to her sense of euphoria ignited by a seemingly small spark (“Journalism Waking Up to Inequality,” Nov. 23). Little by little women in her profession are being heard as they face years of seeing little recognition of their talents and demeaning attitudes from their male colleagues. It reminded me of the action of the current Chief Justice when she dealt with workplace sexual harassment in our highest jurisdiction. These things are small but very encouraging for someone who naively entered the world of the Bar in 1970. May the changes occur in all professions more quickly. Jennifer Blackman, wentworthville
Many hands make the flight work
As a helicopter pilot very familiar with heavy cockpit workloads, I can only fully agree with David Evans’s insistence that modern aircraft need at least two pilots up front (‘One pilot? The model’ Swiss Cheese’ Says No,” Nov. 23). The captain’s job is to turn on the computers at the beginning of the flight, and the copilot’s job is to wake up the captain when it is time for him to turn them off at the end of the flight. At Qantas, union rules require a third pilot, whose role is to disarm anyone who tries to enter the cabin and interfere with crew wages, allowances or rights. Jack Robertson, Birchgrove
The proposal by some airlines to have a single pilot to fly their passenger planes, despite safety fears, will no doubt be scrutinized by the flying public. I think most will decide to choose an airline that employs two pilots to ensure there is always someone to fly the plane in case of computer or human error. Cost cutting in this case could have fatal consequences, both physical and economic. Joy Paterson, Mount Annan
Train pain in Spain
Flying to Spain will hardly stimulate domestic manufacturing (“Officials fly to Spain to fix train pain”, November 23). If the foreign-bought trains, trams, and ferries had been built locally, then it is highly likely that the localized consult and build machinations would have had more feedback, monitoring, and cooperation, resulting in a better manufacturing outcome. The state would have saved itself considerably from the spate of overseas government transportation troubleshooters who flew to remote parts of the world to rectify our domestic transportation problems. I suggest that the Prime Minister and others look to the Newcastle and Wollongong yellow pages for help the next time they are contemplating the acquisition of removals companies. Steve Dillon, Thirroul
Lowe’s Last Hits
How is it possible that Philip Lowe still has a job (“Excellent progress on rates, says RBA,” Nov. 23)? The face of the Reserve Bank of Australia told us not long ago that interest rates wouldn’t move until 2024. They haven’t just moved, it’s like they’re in a 100-meter sprint. Now we are being told to buckle down and that a wage increase would be bad for the economy. It seems to me that Lowe must have settled under a mushroom: climate change, an aging population, broken supply chains and a messy power grid are not new phenomena. Nor is a top bureaucrat wrong and suffers no consequences. Mick Grimson, Leumeah
lesson one plan
It is commendable that Chris Minns has promised coeducational schools for all if Labor wins the March election (“Families promised access to coeducation”, 13 November). But where will you build them, how will you find the masters who will master them, and will these masters receive decent salaries? Will effective action follow political rhetoric? Rob PhillipsNorth Epping
Congratulations
Enjoyed roast beef for lunch at my local club yesterday – it was a nostalgic meal, not surprising, not playful or fancy, it lacked a bit of whimsy and the Yorkshire pudding was not up to par with my mum. However, it suited my peers and my sense of fun (“Three stars, three hats and a surprise ‘Oncore’“, November 23). Maybe just a hat. Congratulations to the worthy winners. Kath Maher Lidcombe
Illustration: John ShakespeareCredit:shakespeare
color me impressed
It is hard to believe that some people would argue that the teals did not achieve much and therefore this move should not be replicated at the state level for the upcoming NSW elections (Digital view, November 23). On the contrary, the trulli and other independents have worked tirelessly to ensure that much-needed amendments were made to a variety of bills (for example, the climate bill, the federal integrity bill) and have been pushing for a series of reforms. in many areas (for example, electoral financing laws, gender equity). It’s only been six months, and what they’ve accomplished is already considerable. They are pressuring the government to act and they cannot be ignored. We need more of them. Catherine Ciret, manly
To say that the new teal ones have simply replaced the similar ones is not entirely true (Letters, November 23). My teal was voted for by the Mackellar electorate solely because the community was tired of not being heard. My teal now proudly brings the voice of our community to Canberra, independent in every sense of the word, uninfluenced by any major party. Voters who rode the teal wave to victory would have been wasting their time trying to change the old and tired views of the Liberal Party as suggested by your correspondent. Joy Nason, cute ok
My baby shot me
Like your correspondent, I too believed that gender roles were taught from birth, so I was determined to keep my son’s experiences as neutral as they were positive; not weapons, but educational and stuffed toys, a token truck, and a doll (Letters, November 22). Sadly, my utopian perspective was shattered when one day in a park he picked up a large stick and started waving it aggressively at people as he yelled, “Bang bang.” Alice Dawson, Balmain
That’s all folks
Comparing Daffy Duck to Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is despicable (Letters, November 23). PS: is it rabbit or duck season? John Bailey, Canterbury
blue sacred! But how would the French fare under Australian rules?
The socceroos were “o-bleu-terados”. Welcome to world-class soccer (“Socceroos last in World Cup group after thrashing of France,” smh.com.au, November 23). Martin Jaffe, Lilli Pilli
Fair enough: the French beat the Aussies handily. Should the Socceroos apply for a second leg under AFL rules? Michael Petras, Thornleigh
Full tips on Qatar
I have been very amused by the letters on how to pronounce Qatar (Letters, November 23). Having lived in the area for a few years, you get used to saying strange words. When it comes to saying words that start with a Q, my advice is to clear your throat like you’re going to spit. So forget about the spit and just say the word in question. It never fails. Of course, being originally Scottish, the sound is quite natural. Vivienne Potter, Gowrie
Ken Done old fashioned, but not fast fashion
You may have had the dubious pleasure of buying two Ken Done sweatshirts in 1989, but they linger 33 years later (“Fashion’s List of Winners Is a Shade of Color,” Nov. 23). Although they are only worn in the privacy of the home, they are still soft and perfectly fitting, and are always paired with the most comfortable trackkie daks. Maggie McElhill, annandale
digital view
NSW bureaucrats rushed to Spain to settle train dispute
Of Florence of Florence: ″ Let us all join in the chorus that has been sung here many times: Victoria builds her own trains. And she adds: it’s only about 600 kms down the road. Why not ask them?”
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