Climate change - a 'Real and present danger'

Climate change is proving a threat to our region, exposing us to increasing economic risk.

Greater Shepparton is one of the most successful intensive agricultural areas in the country, rendering us particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events.

As any farmer will tell you, record temperatures and wildly fluctuating rainfall levels, in the case of this summer just past, almost half the average, hurt the farm-gate bottom line.

That hurts our entire community as less revenue flows from our farmers and agricultural workers into the region’s economy.

We all have a vested interest in tackling climate change.

Which is why one of Greater Shepparton City Council’s latest initiatives is particularly welcome.

As we reported during the weekend, installing solar panels on council assets performs a two-fold function.

While the short-term cost is large, the long-term savings will help the council’s bottom line.

The move is also a small piece in the puzzle to combating climate change.

Australians are reportedly installing solar panels at a rate four times faster than similar nations.

We are world’s best when it comes to harnessing renewable energy, of which we have in abundance.

And we are going to need to be the world’s best to bring our emissions down to levels that help in the global climate change fight.

Individuals and local government are proving to be the frontline in that battle.

During a decade of Federal Government instability, we have learnt that we cannot rely on our nation’s politicians to do the job.

Fossil fuels have been a valuable source of energy in decades gone by, but all the scientific evidence points to a need to phase out fossil fuels if we are to stabilise the climate.

Next week, children across the nation will go on strike to demonstrate their commitment to battling climate change and to call on our leaders to heed their call.

Many have criticised them and told them to stay in school and get an education.

We suggest that education is exactly what has convinced them, and us, that climate change is a very real and present danger.

Arguing with science is as futile as arguing with a doctor’s diagnosis.

Pretending the problem will go away will simply make it worse.

As with the summer just past, our meteorologists have been warning autumn is also opening with above average temperatures.

The trends have been increasing for decades.

The Editorial from today’s Shepparton News - “Real and present danger.”