Renewables vs Fossil fuels
DINOSAURS still roam the Earth.
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The most potent argument for electricity generation by renewables is rarely mentioned. Renewables are inevitably cheaper because the fuel is free.
By contrast, with coal, nuclear and other sources the fuel is expensive because it has to be extracted, transported, stored and its waste disposed of. There are of course other renewables advantages.
Unlike fossil fuels, they do not emit in use and therefore do not risk the health of millions around the world.
They do not contribute to climate change.
And renewables do not tear up the Earth.
Unlike nuclear, they do not threaten catastrophe or waste that remains for millions of years. Yet while Tasmania can be justly proud of its hydro and wind systems, dinosaurs still roam the Earth.
They are the federal Coalition and they are in the thrall of the the coal and gas companies. They have helped bring our world to the point of collapse. Tasmanians should reject their insanity at the federal election.
No issue is more important.
Dr Dain Bolwell, Bellerive.
Rubbish in oceans
MY concern is all the rubbish found in the oceans, which gets worse and not better.
The early part of this century while having a night crossing from Roscoff in France to Plymouth in the UK, I could not sleep so went walkabouts. All the exits to the deck said “no admittance to the public” and a sailor told me to go away as I was not allowed to go outside at night.
I waited until he had gone and then quietly opened the door to outside, what I saw that night has remained with me as the shock was so great.
All the ships’ rubbish was being tossed overboard into the English Channel. Paper cups, nappies etc, everything you can think of. I watched for quite awhile and then crept back inside just incase I was tossed overboard. Thankfully no one saw me.
I wrote to the English government but never received a reply so did no more about it to my regret. Then I read that an ocean liner off Brisbane had been fined for tossing rubbish overboard.
Next a friend went on an Alaskan cruise and witness what I had witnessed. Why is it so hard for government officials to meet incoming ocean liners and other shipping to ask them where is all your rubbish?
I have seen huge ocean liners dock in Circular Quay but no garbage trucks waiting to offload the rubbish, unless they come at night. Surely someone could find out?
Vera M. Green, South Launceston.
Alderman title
MUST all tradition go for the sake of being with it. Councillor is so mundane, dull and ordinary compared to alderman. I hope there won’t be any more radical proposals from the newly-elected Green alderman now councillor. Have an appreciation for history and tradition.
Malcolm Scott, Newstead.
Parking
I TOTALLY agree with Doreen Baker (The Examiner, November 23) in respect of the parking fiasco in West Launceston.
I have lived in this area and paid rates and taxes for 33 years.
Rocher and Maitland streets are not wide enough to allow parking on both sides.
Restricted parking urgently needs to be introduced on the left side of Maitland Street and the ride side of Rocher Street at the very least. Why is there parking limits in Alice Place, Bourke and Canning streets and others in this areas where traffic flow is minimum in comparison?
There is even a caravan parked permanently in Alice Place, as well as parking limits, how does that work?
I suggest councillors actually take a drive in the middle of the day between Monday and Thursday along the aforementioned streets and see how ridiculous and unfair the situation has become for residents of the area.
If the owners of these vehicles can afford the late model SUV’s and sedans that they drive, surely they can afford to pay for parking in the designated car parks for employees of these establishments as their counterparts who work in the CBD do.
Perhaps it’s a case of affluence or influence as to whether any action is taken in respect of this dilemma. I notice in areas such as High Street there are yellow lines and parking restrictions a plenty.
D. Anderson, West Launceston.
Unsavoury Monarchs
DONALD Trump is not an argument against a republic (The Examiner, December 7). History is littered with plenty of examples of unsuitable hereditary monarchs and plenty of examples of those who ruled over peoples of other nations.
Democracy gives people a choice and inevitably a section of those involved in this selection process will be disappointed with the result but at least the people have a say.
With a hereditary monarchy, no people’s choice is made and we take what we get.
This is even more galling when what we get is from another country.
Rod Fenner, Launceston.
Mountain bike riders
I AM a mountain bike rider and I take exception to Marion Brooks assertions (The Examiner, December 2) that we are a selfish, destructive lot.
Her nostalgia for the past seems more to validate the need to find something new to help local communities, than to do nothing.
Some new cash, exercise, enjoyment of the bush and a valuing of the same, and some new hope.
Her observations of failed past rail certainly seems to me to reinforce the need to move on to something with low cost structures if they are to succeed and stimulate country towns. As for riders, councils and governments being greedy and fanatical in this matter it seems to me that it is her position that is extreme.