Climate Science action
IT IS difficult to understand why there are still so many people deliberately ignoring the overwhelming body of science that clearly links the tragic bushfires to the significant changes to our climate.
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It is even more difficult to understand why our politicians are prepared to ignore the advice of experts and potentially put us at greater risk in the future.
Is it because they are too arrogant to admit they were wrong or is it that they actually believe that they know better than the experts in the field?
It is clear that unless there is a significant change of attitude, some well thought through strategies, and a huge financial commitment from our government, our children don't have much of a future in Australia.
Our hearts are with all of those who have been impacted by recent events and most of us are helping in whatever way we can, but none of us wants to feel that our efforts are in vain because this is just going to happen again and again.
Unless we put our prejudices aside, stop supporting our short-sighted politicians who are more interested in their own careers than the future of our wonderful country, and carefully listen to the messages coming from the body of scientists, we are in for a frightening future.
Stephen Watts, West Launceston.
I Love Westbury
I LOVE Westbury. I love going to the pub for a counter meal. I love the history of the place and looking at the beautiful gardens and old buildings.
Most of all, as an elderly person, I love how safe I feel when I go out and about on my own around Westbury.
There is lots to love about Westbury.
Nancy McLeod, Westbury.
Kookaburras Problem
AS IT happens kookaburras are becoming a big problem in Tasmania.
They were once rare in Tasmania but not anymore. With shrinking forests and drying landscapes, they are spreading out into our wilderness areas.
They are killing small birds and reptiles and they are nearly as bad as feral cats.
But there is an upside since there is a demand for stuffed kookaburras.
It looks like they make great souvenirs when mounted on a stick. Tasmania is the only place where you can legally stuff a kookaburra.
Kyl Eastley, Deloraine.
Unmown Frankford Verges
WHILE fires are still burning out of control on the mainland, Australia I look with some apprehension and fear at the amount of dry grass on the verges of the road.
It would only take a cigarette butt carelessly thrown from a passing car and the residents would no doubt be in the same situation as its mainland counterparts.
I realise that it is a state government road, not the West Tamar Council so where do we go for help in this matter?
Kaye McLean, Glengarry.
Consider Facts
IN (The Examiner, January 8) Mick Palmer asked for politicians to give reasons for rejecting pill testing.
As one who advises parliamentarians, here are their reasons.
Statistics from England and Wales show that the introduction of pill testing coincided with increased ecstasy use and deaths.
While European countries have poor to non-existent statistics on ecstasy deaths, the UK keeps up-to-date figures.
"The Loop" commenced pill testing in 2013 and by 2016 began expanding into 12 music festivals with government assent.
Since 2013 deaths from ecstasy have more than doubled from 43 to 92 deaths in 2018, while in the most exposed age group, those aged 16-24, ecstasy use has increased 76 per cent over the same period.
The reasons are clear.
Pill testing does not address the real causes of pill deaths.
A recent study of 392 ecstasy deaths in Australia between 2001 and 2016 nominated no deaths from impurities in pills nor were there any recorded deaths from bad batches where other deadly drugs were cut with the MDMA in pills.
Both were central rationales for introducing pill testing.
Rather, in every death ecstasy itself was causal.
Fourteen per cent were from ecstasy alone, 48 per cent from ecstasy being consumed with alcohol, cocaine or other drugs creating deadly synergies, and 29 per cent from accidents, mostly car accidents.
And remember ecstasy overdose is rare (just Google it).
Pill testing equipment won't find these individual reactions, polydrug use or accidents in any pills tested.
Pill Testing Australia's Canberra trials gave a red card for any identified drug, in their own words, associated with "increased harm/overdoses/death".
Each time they identified just ecstasy, they gave it a white card, which by exclusion signals that ecstasy does not cause increased harm and death.
Three-hundred and ninety-two Australians prove them wrong.
Politicians know this.
That's why they say No.
Letter Clarification
A LETTER from David Hill (The Examiner, January 10) claimed the Cataract Gorge pool would be closed for two weeks during Mona Foma. That is incorrect, the City of Launceston council said it would not be closed.