Yes, it "matters whether climate change is man-made" and it is "relevant" that there is a man-made component.
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![Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc772ipiuiodkxff568rk.jpg/r0_20_2989_1707_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
If the effect of the climate change was just part of a natural cycle, there would be nothing we could do but adapt.
However, there is something that can be done to mitigate the man-made component.
David Littleproud's knowledge on climate change has apparently improved. But it is not sufficient just to "accept the science on man-made climate change" and do nothing.
The minister for water resources, drought, rural finance, natural disaster and emergency management has a responsibility to do something.
Enlightening his colleagues with a view to actually reducing emissions in real terms would be a good start.
Darryl Fallow, Stirling
The people want action
What would it take for our leaders to declare a climate emergency?
We have record-breaking temperatures, disastrous bushfires at the very start of spring, loss of species at the rate of knots, the demise of the Great Barrier Reef, increasing climate-related health risks, neighbouring countries slowly becoming submerged, "natural" disasters becoming ever more destructive and frequent - and this is not, in our government's eyes, an emergency. One wonders what a climate emergency would actually look like.
It can't be that our government doesn't trust scientists to get the facts right. "Defence" science is trusted implicitly to make us militarily strong, and it is funded to the hilt, while climate scientists are ignored. All the military strength in the world won't protect us from climate change; it simply aggravates it by diverting our attention and resources.
Is there anything on this spectacular planet that moves our leaders, inspires them to become protective and to hear the pleas of young Australians who are fearful for their futures, that brings out a sense of responsibility to future generations to preserve life in all is diversity, that overcomes their loyalty to the big polluters, and can crash through the barrier of political one-liners to achieve some real climate action? Thus far, zilch.
That's why many Australians will be joining our young people at the climate strikes on Friday, in Canberra at noon in Glebe Park. Actions that bypass the federal government are clearly needed more than ever.
Sue Wareham, Cook
Are we the Clever Capital?
Stage 2a and beyond of Canberra's light rail network hold some significant challenges.
How do we raise the level of London Circuit to match Commonwealth Avenue? How does the tram cross the lake in a cost-effective manner? How can the Parliamentary Triangle be serviced effectively without running tracks and overhead wires past some of our national institutions?
The answer may be right in front of us; the Trackless Tram. Already operating in China, the Trackless Tram is a vehicle very similar to our own red trams, but with no rails or overhead wires. It runs on a conventional road and is powered by rechargeable batteries. It can operate autonomously using a GPS based guidance system, but it can also be driven manually on existing roads. Modern hydraulics give it a smooth and quiet ride quality.
Imagine this. The Trackless Tram leaves the city and crosses the lake on the existing Commonwealth Avenue bridge without the need for a third structure. It moves past Old Parliament House without the need for rails and overhead cables. It then reverts to a dedicated roadway in the median of Adelaide Avenue for a high-speed trip to Woden and beyond. In addition, the future network uses it to provide other services, such as City to Airport, at a fraction of the cost of a conventional tram.
The Trackless Tram is currently the subject of a case study for possible introduction in Townsville. Is this the chance to really demonstrate that Canberra is indeed the 'Clever Capital'?
Rolfe Hartley, Bruce
Grumpy old thing
Ian Warden used to have a terrific sense of humour.
Now he seems to have become a disgruntled old man, repeatedly telling us his age and denigrating Floriade.
Whilst he sits in his rocking chair, I'm sure the other 500,000 visitors will fully appreciate it.
G. Byrne, Hughes
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