Letters: It's time to act to save our planet

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A big thank you to Rachel Stewart (Opinion, January 10) for writing so eloquently about what we all need to think about and act on - that is the human effect on this amazing planet we live on.

For starters we can:

Teach the young survival skills, how to make, build and grow - not just to rely on mind numbing computers.

Use the car less.

Buy less stuff.

Demand alternatives to non biodegradable plastic from manufacturers.

Use cloth bags instead of plastic at supermarkets and other shops.

Demand local councils and farmers use safe alternatives to herbicide poisons - good health is cost saving.

Grow your own organic food and give any surplus to those unable to grow their own.

JOY MASKELL
Rotorua

Cyclists v drivers

In answer to your correspondent Gavin Muir (Letters, January 8).

In my serious years of cycling, I have found drivers in different parts of New Zealand to be the most discourteous, rude, most self opinionated jerks I could ever imagine.

They seem to have the idea that "I have a bigger, more powerful mode of transport so I have right of way". Then we have the foreigners who have no idea of the rules of our roads. You put the idiots and the unaware of rules blokes together and you have trouble for cyclists and motorcyclists.

The "this is my road" attitude is clearly shown in the attack on Ian Guy. On a number of occasions, I have encountered drivers coming towards me on my side of the road. This is while they are passing a vehicle travelling in the same direction as them. My answer to them is a handful of stones to toss onto their door panels when they are beside me. I figured if they can get away with putting me in danger, I can cost them their no claims bonus.

Karma comes at a cost to road hogs.

KM KEATING
Rotorua

Freshwater threat

Climate change is already beginning to affect plants and animals that live in freshwater lakes and rivers, altering their habitat and bring life threatening stress and disease. Through the displacement of cold water species this brings unwanted pests into lakes. Dead zones of oxygen above lakes contribute to costly algal bloom, disease and mosquito outbreak.

The council should seriously consider some major mitigating routines and procedures to prevent this disaster from rendering Rotorua a hazardous place to live in the coming decades.

KURT HOFFMANN
Rotorua