Letters, November 23, 2022

Urgent message
AS reported in The Courier, Australian Geographic Society’s Lifetime of Conservation Award was bestowed on John Wamsley for his environmental work educating the community about the imperative for large scale revegetation for wildlife habitat restoration across Australia.
This achievement should not be underestimated.
The message given by environmental scientists is clear and urgent: our country has lost more biodiversity than any other developed nation.
We are in a mass extinction disaster for many species of our unique flora and fauna.
Intense cumulative pressure on environment by chemical pollution, invasive species, resource extraction, destruction of native vegetation and trees for expanding human development have combined to ravage ecological communities.
We have much to learn from First Nations Indigenous people’s management of Country, living sustainably over tens of thousands of years within the limits of the natural systems that sustain life.
Our challenges are not only reducing carbon emissions.
Wasteful consumption must also be addressed and solved by a new legal framework that works effectively to protect the natural world in a way that has not yet happened. We are living in momentous times – our current values, thinking and decisions are creating the future of Earth.
The scourge of plastic pollution could be solved by an outright ban on many forms of disposable plastics such as packaging in retail and food.
Replacing rampant materialism with sustainable lifestyles that includes caring for nature needs to be a strong political and social commitment.
The wellbeing of future generations is at stake. Nature is everything.
Simone Hunter, Hove

Lack of publicity
BY my observations a great many people in Australia will be extremely disappointed that the UN COP27 climate conference, presently being held in Egypt, appears to have attracted, to date, very little publicity here in Australia.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned those attending the conference, in relation to dealing with climate change, to  “co-operate or perish”.
These are very powerful, but ever so true words.
One can only hope that those attending the conference, and also many people in Australia, take heed of the Secretary General’s words.
Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank

French submarines
SO Macron was aggrieved that Australia pulled out of the diesel powered submarines that France wanted to sell us?
What submarines do the French have? Nuclear! But they will not sell them to anyone else. The decision by the Morrison Government was endorsed by the then Labor opposition to do a better deal with the US and the UK and have a fleet of nuclear subs, not outdated diesel ones. Please, PM Albanese, stop cuddling up to Macron, he is only interested in the French.
Clive Bulmer, Forreston

Respectful dialogue
AT last in our part of the world leaders are using dialogue respecting each country’s values and building a strong consensus of commitment towards mutual understanding. It’s only a start, but a great improvement from the blame game that was used previously.
Australia must stay firm on our values, lifestyle and beliefs while respecting other countries’ values.
If this continues maybe the ‘circling hawks’ on all sides can be sidelined to the benefit of everyone and allow trade, travel and peaceful collaboration to be on display.   
Glen Chenoweth, Goolwa North

Bikeway response
I NEED to respond to the criticisms of my comments published in The Courier (November 11) regarding the additional funding for the extension of the Amy Gillett Bikeway, during this time of financial hardship.
To Mr Tony Fackrell of Balhannah, I did not say that the extension was a ‘waste of money’.
Extend the bikeway, certainly – but at a time when we can afford it, and definitely don’t get rid of it.
As I said, the bikeway ‘is a nice way to honor Amy’s memory’.  
To Mr Ian Grosser regarding his personal opinion (and not that as a councillor on the Mt Barker Council) I will believe the Hahndorf township and road upgrades of $250m when I see them actually being undertaken and completed.
The cafes in Hahndorf are also frequented by many cyclists who have not had a special local trail to get there, but could do with one whilst the main street traffic conditions remain so congested.
I would also be delighted to see the bikeway so crowded and well-used to warrant the cost of the extension.
And finally, to Mr Allan Wallace of Aldgate, I totally agree with his views about exercise, fresh air, et cetera, which can still be obtained without having to extend the current length of the bikeway, again until we can afford it.
I do, however, reject his health advice to me as there is nothing better I would like to be able to do to ‘take some time out for a walk or bike ride on part of the trail and have a coffee afterwards’ as he recommends.
As the saying goes, I would if I could but I can’t!
Several serious medical conditions stop me from doing this, including avoiding coffee, and especially no walking or bike riding.
So, if he is able to undertake such activities, I am very pleased for him and he is a lucky man.
He was obviously unaware of my personal health circumstances by making such comments.
S. Tarrant, Hahndorf