Water, everywhere. What are we to think?

Last week it was revealed that an extension to operations had been granted to a major coal mine. Somewhat paradoxically, massive challenges due to sea level rise were reviewed in The Sun-Herald (“Battling against Mother Nature to stop suburbs sinking into the sea”, August 16). Climate science unequivocally indicates that burning fossil fuel contributes carbon dioxide to the Earth’s atmosphere. This gas does eventually dissipate. However, while present production is maintained, even at half the rate, the greenhouse effect will continue to grow, leading to global warming and, at present, accelerating sea level rise. As portrayed in this excellent article, it is now acknowledged that the problems confronting NSW are immense – both in scale and cost to the private and public purse. Yet, some politicians advocate increasing the use of fossil fuel when they should be confronting the challenges and endeavouring to find solutions to this human-induced threat. Roger Epps, Armidale

The concerns of residents living in areas of coastal flooding are a human species concern. We chose to build at the edge of the water. Is that any concern of the sea, which expands to increase its own habitable space? Is anything we do of concern to the planet? It’s been here for billions of years and will be here long after we have become extinct either by dint of our own bellicose nature or by dint of cosmic processes. Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay

From Nero to hero?

Although the image of Nero fiddling while Rome burned is yet another example of politically motivated fake news, it is true to say that the contemporary world has its fair share of “Neros”, content to fiddle while this planet burns (“Scientists warn of grass fires in the Antarctic”, August 16). They fiddle with the inconvenient truth, they fiddle with resource inequity, they fiddle with international conflicts, and they fiddle with the prospects of future generations. Rome may have taken considerably more than a day to rebuild. But our home, Earth? It’s an ominous question. Steve Dillon, Thirroul

Asylum sunseekers

The growing flow of temporary visa holders should be no surprise (“Holidaying Brits seek asylum to stay longer”, August 16). Our current visa systems were designed and developed for the Olympics in the late 1990s and intended to deal with the rapid entry of crowds of visitors in 2000. At the time, it was a world first digital system and a global benchmark. The single attempt at a comprehensive modern replacement – the Morrison government’s ill-fated $1 billion privatisation scheme – was scrapped in 2020. Several reviews since have found it no longer fit for purpose, trapping the skilled tradies and other workers we need in broken pathways to permanent residency. It will take time. Margaret Wright, Millers Point

If the application is genuine, and not someone seeking more time in the sun sleeping or fruit picking, then immediately remove any asylum seekers to a secure location where their claim can be assessed in a timely manner by dedicated experts. Howard Springs? Woomera? Koolan Island? Those fleeing war and persecution will welcome this care and security. Those fleeing a northern winter will not. David Neilson, Uralla

Take both barrels

As one who believes that possession of firearms by anyone other than authorised law enforcement agencies should be prohibited, I am completely in favour of the plan to confiscate private collections (“NSW launches massive gun buyback program”, August 16). The figures revealed by The Sun-Herald show that gun ownership in suburban areas has risen to be a form of mental illness. New laws to be introduced will “restrict” primary producers and sport shooters to 10. This is ridiculous; does a first class cricketer need 10 cricket bats? You can hear Barnaby Joyce foaming at the mouth now, claiming that city folk have no understanding of their country cousins. What we do understand is that the more guns that are available, the higher the chance one is used to take a life. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill

The planned gun buyback in November is a great plan. Whether the gun is a “vintage” weapon or for sporting purposes, we read daily about how the proliferation and availability of guns in the US gives rise to daily shooting fatalities. TV gives us the constant scenario to use a gun to end any type of discussion. This buyback is an attempt to avoid those daily deadly headlines here. Marjie Williamson, Blaxland

Pistons at electoral dawn

With both the Parramatta Powerhouse and the Southwest Metro opening later this year, one could be forgiven for thinking we have a state election early next year (“Opening date of Powerhouse in west revealed”, August 16). Peter Miniutti, Ashbury

‘Lightweights’ and heavy weather

What a debacle from Australia’s Test side (“Batters in the gun as Aussies face an embarrassing defeat”, August 16). For the first time in a long while, a full-strength Aussie XI – every top player was playing, so no selection excuses, no experimental lineups – and yet, they were comprehensively outplayed in every department by a Bangladesh team that is not considered a heavyweight in Test cricket, and that too on a home ground wicket in Darwin. This was a straight, undeniable defeat. No caveats, no soft landings. So, eat a big humble pie, acknowledge the failure, and reset. It looked like a complacent team. Summer tests will be challenging, with temperatures soaring, humidity draining energy and every side being tested physically and mentally. If Australia cannot lift its standards now, the season ahead will expose them further. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

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