New-age farmers take the lead on climate change

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New-age farmers take the lead on climate change

Farmers are finding ways to take climate change seriously (‘‘Bad luck or bad management: Farmers divided on drought’’, June 17), as the energy industry steadily increases investment in clean renewables for power generation. Imagine what we could do if the government took the lead on changes needed to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis. - Angela Michaelis, Balmain

It is fairly obvious that some farmers are in the wrong game. But amid all the pontificating we ought to remember that many of those doing it hard belong to a special breed who are prepared to confront the difficult times, pull in their belts and keep going. Often they are only kept in the industry by their sense of inheritance and their love of the land. If we create a system in which they can no longer survive, then we are losing something very special from country communities. And we will be more beholden to the accountants and the bankers, who have never known adversity. - Derrick Mason, Boorowa

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

Illustration: Cathy WilcoxCredit:

Drought support could be made conditional on accreditation via an ongoing program earning points through online courses or by attending meetings or seminars. Doctors and preschool teachers do these things, so why not farmers? - Alan Carruthers, Artarmon

With soil the provider of life and food and climate change a terrifying reality, Terry McCosker, his wife Pam and regenerative farmers, we thank you. I first read about Terry’s remarkable ‘‘regenerative agriculture’’ work with farmers in Charles Massy’s 2017 book Call of the Reed Warbler and was struck by how drought became the catalyst for radical change for many.

Europeans arrived in Australia and found a ‘‘park-like’’ landscape with soils so well hydrated they were described as ‘‘spongy’’. Clearly our soils are older and climate more variable than Europe’s but it has taken 200 years to realise a different farming approach to truly drought-proof or ‘‘look after country’’ as Aboriginal people have done for thousands of years. - Sue Young, Bensville

I take exception to the letters of Dale Bailey and Brian Haisman (June 17) as they miss the point of the real problem with the Adani mine. The Galilee Basin is not a basin of coal, it is a basin of water. That water, both artesian and sub-artesian, has sustained the grazing industry in central Queensland for over 150 years. It is the only self-contained water basin in Australia: meaning it draws its water from the land above. Given the Queensland government has given Adani access to this water for the next 50 years, graziers are no doubt apprehensive as to their ability to water stock long-term. It’s about water, not climate change.

Perhaps Brian missed the Herald article stating the CSIRO and Geoscience Australia concerns about the viability of Doongmabulla Springs (‘‘Adani poses threat to ancient springs: experts’’, June 10). If these springs dry up will mining stop? I think not. - Michael Caton, Bondi Beach

Mick Wettenhall, on his drought-stricken property in Trangie, NSW, believes he has a new technique to rejuvenate his soil.

Mick Wettenhall, on his drought-stricken property in Trangie, NSW, believes he has a new technique to rejuvenate his soil. Credit: Janie Barrett

Nice idea, Dale, but how many trees would Adani have to plant each year to offset the emissions from the new mine. And where? - Terry McGee, Malua Bay

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The climate will change no matter what. I find it hard to believe humans can control it and that this mine will make any difference. - Sandra Harris, Leichhardt

In the building sector, the buck stops with nobody

People would be surprised to know councils are not compelled to enforce compliance of legislation even when defective work is evident (‘‘Call for building sector crackdown’’, June 17). They would also be surprised building experts and engineers are self-regulated. Add to that an association of builders who exist to protect their members only and it’s easy to see how this mess occurred. Any crackdown has to include arbitrary decision-making by council staff and building experts not accountable for their opinions. - Diana Buttigieg, Bondi Junction

In a remarkable innovation following the cracked building in Mascot, the government will appoint a building commissioner to make sure constructions abide by regulations and are safe. Before the neo-liberal dogma of eradicating ‘‘red tape’’, and the present government-by-developer, that’s what we used to have. - Scott Poynting, Newtown

The guarantee of suitable accommodation for the displaced residents needs urgent attention. At Mascot and Opal Tower residents were shunted out with little information about what was happening and little thought about where they would go. The government must have a disaster-management strategy in place for such building problems. - Gary Moore, Blackheath

One of my homestay student guests stood out. He was studying civil engineering but pulled out after one year. He said, as he was averaging 60 in his assignments, he couldn’t in good conscience consider scraping through to a qualification. He reasoned he would never expect anyone to take the chance of driving over a bridge with a 40 per cent chance of collapsing. Could these current problems be due, at least in part, to engineering’s pass mark? - Frank Hinchey, Adamstown

The rapid construction of buildings could, in some part, contribute to cracking. Creep, long-term concrete deformation under load, is a valued property if well-managed. This is achieved by allowing time for maturation before loading. However, if construction rates are not taken into consideration, then long-term problems may occur even with concrete that passes strength-testing. - Harold Roper, Woollahra

With no on-site building inspection/approval by qualified staff, every step of the way, it is clear the only alternative is to mandate fixed signage above the entry of every new building declaring its use-by date in large, bold letters. - David Baird, Burradoo

How many more of these buildings have to start falling to pieces before self-certification ends? -Brian Johnstone, Leura

Poor miss out on death with dignity

The central argument in Xavier Symons’ article against assisted dying is overseas data indicates people who are educated and affluent are over-represented in the group choosing assisted dying (‘‘Assisted dying bill’s deadly assumptions’’, June 17). This data should trigger an alert a humane and compassionate procedure is not sufficiently known about or offered to suffering people who are less privileged and educated. - Patricia Loughlan, Glebe

The Victorian euthanasia law is a sick joke. All that is proposed is people can commit suicide, something they can do already. This law places a low premium on life. What a pity so many of the people advocating these laws have no experience of working in a good palliative care unit where people can die with dignity. - Lesley Conn, North Turramurra

Hong Kong’s future at risk

Heads are bound to turn when the leader of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, announces the controversial extradition bill is withdrawn altogether (‘‘‘Don’t shoot’: Protests return’’, June 17). That is the ultimate aim of the street protests and is also what all pro-democracy people around the world hope for. - Jiongjie He, Hillsdale

I grew up in Hong Kong and have a deep affection for its people. While I don’t yearn for the colonial days under British rule, the current government has only promoted division rather than harmony, fostered unrest rather than peace and brought despair rather than optimism for the residents. This proposed bill would compromise the integrity of the rule of law and spell the end of prosperity for this vibrant city. - Vincent Wong, Killara

Kerr 1, Critics 0

Let’s lighten up on Sam Kerr (‘‘Say it again, Sam: female athletes need a voice’’, June 17). Her comment was made in an on-field interview immediately following a miraculous comeback in which four or more years of dedication nearly vanished. It was not aimed at the defeated team but at the fickle Australian critics who are too quick to find fault when an Australian team loses and I agree with her. - Col Burke, Wentworth Falls

Kerr would do well to take note of Tayla Harris’s composure when dealing with trolls on the internet calling it out for what it is – sexual abuse and expressing her concern for the kids on the sidelines. - Jenny Stephenson, Wollongong

Food for thought

Your story is a heart-warming one (‘‘Schools join breakfast club free-for-all’’, June 17). It is terrible though that a country as wealthy as Australia has food poverty at all. Congratulations to the teachers, the community and Foodbank for making the breakfast club possible. - Robin Walsh, Killara

An outstanding initiative but what is it with all the disposable cups? Why not also teach the kids about washing up, instead of throwing everything away after a meal? It is an ideal opportunity to also talk to children about waste and plastic pollution, the scourge of our times, and what they themselves will be contending with in the future. - Josie McSkimming, Coogee

ABC squeezed dry

When the ABC chief says he is seeking ‘‘greater diversity’’ as yet another government-imposed budget squeeze starts to take effect, I can only assume that he is speaking in code and signalling that he is willing to turn the ABC into a compliant government mouthpiece (‘‘Next on the ABC: diversity amid adversity,’’ June 17). Having diversity is great, but diversity of opinion is the last thing this Coalition government wants. What it wants, indeed demands through its veiled budget threats, is obeisance and the absence of any effective criticism. - Geoff Gordon, Cronulla

It is a sad time for the ABC when questioning the political status quo is now regarded as left-wing bias to be balanced by an increase in conservative panelists espousing responses aimed at shutting down debate. The strength of the ABC is the intelligent questioning of our government and political parties. To water this down will not only turn many viewers away but seriously undermine the credibility and status of our national broadcaster. - Sally Shepard, Nelson Bay

David Anderson thinks there is no evidence of systematic bias at the ABC. The pole-axed look on the faces of ABC journalists during election night says it all. - Jill Clarke, Pymble

As someone who is a massive fan of the ABC I was so pleased to see a call of diversity of opinion on panel shows by the managing director, simply because it would create a fairer discussion on issues. There is always a total imbalance towards the left. Let’s not just have that ABC represent the 49 per cent of Australians but 100 per cent. - John Franks, Woolloomooloo

Truth about cancer

Don Benjamin is likely correct in inferring stress and emotional trauma have a bearing on cancer (Letters, June 17). His suggestion cancer is a systemic disease is at odds with the medical understanding that it arises in a single cell which then multiplies and may spread locally or via lymph or blood to other sites.
Holistic care is important for all patients, but effective surgical removal of isolated primary tumours is entirely logical and any further adjunctive therapy should be considered in light of the risk versus benefits. - Dr Ashley Collard, Fairlight

Theatre of the absurd

Your round-up (‘‘Spotlight on festival’s highlights and lowlights’’, June 17) doesn’t mention the lows of the crowd management at the State Theatre. Before a showing of Pain and Glory, the crowd in the foyer, waiting for the previous film to finish, were harangued by officials for making too much noise. After the film, we were funnelled at snail’s pace down a smelly side-alley of the theatre, to emerge at a trickle on Market Street, already busy with the jostling attendees to the next showing. How this venerable theatre could be evacuated in an emergency does not bear thinking about. - Christopher Jones, Epping

Nothing to see here

I’m sure the ‘‘influencer’’ and cosmetic surgery promoter will cope with the $350 fine (‘‘The influencer, the powder and the cash’’, June 17). But oh, the humiliation. Not of being strip-searched but that ‘‘nothing of interest was found’’. - Mickey Pragnell, Kiama

Hawke’s plea ignored

While listening to Bob Hawke’s granddaughter Sophie’s speech at his memorial I wondered what all those past and present politicians/climate change deniers were thinking. The footage of Hawke with Sophie 30 years ago talking of the need to act on climate change for the sake of our children made me want to weep. She spoke of his profound regret Australia had failed to act. Students who have been protesting about the inaction on climate change can take heart from her speech. - Annie Dorrian, Iluka

I wondered if we’re any closer to Closing the Gap when I read Scott Morrison speech at Hawke’s memorial. On our relationship with Hawke, he said ‘‘it was a great romance played out in shopping malls, sporting ovals, grandstands, schools, town halls, beaches, parks, outback stations and of course, Indigenous communities all around the country’’. The reference to Aboriginal people seemed to be a patronising afterthought. - Claire Mallat, Annandale

It was appropriate you ran one short, sarcastic and mean-spirited denigration of the occasion (Letters, June 17). ‘‘Appropriate’’ because that letter exemplified the attitudes Hawke devoted his stupendous lifetime to combating. - Frank Maundrell, Nundle

To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.​

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