I have enjoyed an enormously lucky life. It has not been without traumas, but, at 85, I am ashamed that I am so comfortably off when so many are denied any pleasure or joy in life.
My then husband’s career brought us to Australia, to Darwin in the NT, just over 50 years ago on 1/1/71. I am still here.
Within my first 6 months, I knew I was born to live in the tropics, and I have no desire to leave, even though I am fully aware that climate change will increase the frequency and severity of severe weather events.
Having been here for Cyclone Tracy, and remembering how, in its wake, the city looked as though it had been bombed, I have no illusions about what we might look forward to.
Along with many of my generation, I was late in coming to a realisation that mankind’s actions needed to be re-directed if our grandchildren’s children are going to have a habitable world.
Extra free time in retirement has enabled me to understand the science – and the sordid venality of those who put profits before people.
I grew up in a Christian household and country, and have no quarrel with an ethical system which asks us to do as we would be done by.
But our so-called democracy does not share those values.
To see a need to help others is to be scorned as a so-called leftie.
We have statistics praising the billionaires and their assets, but less well advertised are our poor and under-privileged.
Even less well advertised is how badly we treat them.
Hardly surprising then, particularly in Australia, is the refusal by so many of a vaccination designed to protect lives. After all, given how little the current government really cares about the poor and their needs, who would think they were genuinely trying to help?
The COP26 has just ended – badly.
Australia is a developed country which has contributed more than most, on a per capita basis, to the emissions which are – ever more rapidly – destroying the world as we have known it.
Yet we are one of several, totally selfishly governed, countries which are demanding to be able to continue to mine, sell or burn coal – source of one of the most damaging greenhouse gases.
In fact all fossil fuels should be left in the ground until we have stabilised the greenhouse gas situation.
In fairness to some countries, their leaders lack the power to legislate necessary changes, despite their certainty that they are vitally important.
I do not believe in causing harm and loss to others, but I deeply sympathise with those who feel driven to violence in their disgust with governments which refuse to acknowledge the fact of climate change and its dangers.
Since 5/02/20, when COVID-19 really reared it head, I have sat outside the NT Parliament House every Wednesday afternoon for 2 hours ( I have missed a few through rain and health issues) to remind anyone who stops to chat of the urgency of action on climate change.
I shall continue doing so until all Australian governments have recognised that failing to take action is dooming our descendants to a world which will be increasingly destructive of life as we have known it.
Many Australians – probably more than 50% – would largely share my view.
Sadly we have elected politicians, a majority of whom do not.
We have an election coming soon.
There is only one issue of importance.
Are the candidates prepared to take serious and appropriate action on climate change?
We still have time – just – to change the future.
Another 3 years of Coalition government will be pretty certain to seal an unfortunate fate for life on Earth.
I do not trust Labor, either, although I think their actions will be less damaging than those of the Coalition.
And please remember that the Coalition, with help from Clive Palmer, has already made it crystal clear that they will happily lie and distort the truth if it helps them discourage people from voting for the ALP.
So please use your preferences with extraordinary care!
Our best outcome would be a sufficient number of climate conscious independents on the cross bench!
This next election will be more important than many people realise.
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