KAREN POUTASI
Chief Executive, NZ Qualifications Authority
Tail-chasing
Observing with interest the submissions of Dr Robert L. Hays, Terry Coxon and other anti-warmists for the new year, I get the impression of a cat chasing its own tail.
And to those who know innately that we are leaving it too late to redeem the situation, I would say that there are none so blind as those who will not see. Don't waste time arguing whose fault it is; you're just giving them air for their attention-seeking.
And now that they have a powerful new ally in Donald Trump, the sense of vindication he imbues will only lead to more vociferous and pointless debate — the point being that it will, is, happening. And if it is, what next?
Remember the lifeboat theory? From the 1970s, I believe.
Before that, Hitler was a great believer in the right of the strong to survive at the expense of the weak. It's very noticeable that not much of this denial emanates from the Third World or perceived "weak" countries.
When these people say "it's not our fault" (a very human response) what they mean subliminally is "so we don't have to do anything about it" and "it's their fault for breeding like rabbits". Who knows? In pure evolutionary terms, maybe they are right.
Automation decrees that fewer people are required for menial tasks, and if the three-quarters of the population who comprise the Third World could be allowed to die out, (no ethnic or religious connotations involved, you understand) the rest of us could live on in this wounded planet in the manner to which we have become accustomed.
What an ideal scenario, but a bit simplistic. What if the North Koreas, Pakistans, Indias etc. go not with a whimper but a bang?
L.E. FITTON
Whanganui
Great venue
Hip hooray for Hikurangi Stay Place (a Wanganui treasure tucked into secluded native bush redolent with birdsong).
We recently held a private party for family and friends. We needed somewhere with an intimate atmosphere. The perfect find was at Hikurangi Stay Place.
Sean, the co-owner, suggested we use the beautiful chapel for our gathering. It was ideal! Sean was the epitome of "mine host", with his generous support with our arrangements.
We were delighted to also be able to have our out-of-town guests accommodated at this beautiful place.
Thank you, Sean, for the sterling job of promoting the ongoing use of this stunning Wanganui treasure.
LYNDA SAMMONS, LOUISE SLIGO
Whanganui
Plastic bags
The Whanganui District Council recently decided not to put a ban on single-use plastic bags.
Fortunately, Countdown and New World have seen the light and will not provide the bags in store from the end of 2018.
The plastic tidal wave is building. David Attenborough has described "the toxic soup" of plastic and industrial waste threatening to overwhelm oceans and marine life.
Animals, birds and fish can ingest tiny plastic micro-particles and bags and bottle tops are regularly found in the gut of dead whales, dolphins and turtles. Humans have produced an estimated 8.3 billion tons of plastic since the 1950s. Some scientists say we are at risk of near-permanent contamination of the planet. Local and central governments definitely have the power to stem the release of plastics into the environment.
There are many tools available. From intensified consumer education campaigns promoting the "refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle" message to at source levies, particularly in supermarkets and big box retailers which negligently release mountains of bags and packaging into the waste stream.
Encouraging retailers to provide alternatives to plastic bags shouldn't be beyond council capabilities.
Locally, Kathmandu, Kilt and Bunnings all provide paper bags.The Geranium Bakery at the River Traders market uses strong brown paper bags, which can be recycled. Paige's Bookshop offers biodegradable cornstarch bags.
Whanganui Recycling Centre and the Environment Base are fantastically effective but even they can't find a taker for recycling singlet bags.
If food wrappings and bags were labelled "priority products "by central government then retailers would be obliged to take responsibility for their ultimate disposal. In other words, they pay to get rid of what they have produced. Working out ways to reduce or avoid plastic use can be creative and challenging.
Swapping a plastic coffee cup for card, refusing plastic bags and straws and making your own cloth shopping bags are all small personal decisions that will make a difference.
But, in the wider context of environmental health, it is imperative that all the powers and resources of government are also focused on battling plastic pollution.
DEB FREDERIKSE
Whanganui
