Letters: Future bright for coal mining

Today readers have their say on the approval of the Adani mine and alcohol abuse warnings.

Adani mine supporters rally at the Commercial Hotel in Clermont. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

DESPITE the best rearguard efforts of Donald Maclean and Jane Fry (Letters, Jun 14) to raise red herrings, Queensland has a bright future in coal mining.

The recent BP Annual Energy Review highlights the importance of fossil fuels with coal, oil and gas dominating world energy supplies to mid-century and beyond.

Unreliable, intermittent and expensive renewables form a tiny portion of the world’s energy at present, despite governments spending billions of dollars in subsidies.

Indians understand this fundamental fact, and our thermal coal is in high demand.

Doug Spence, Annerley

ADANI’S Carmichael Mine received approval for its completely inadequate groundwater management plan which will allow the company to start preliminary ground works.

While some people may be celebrating the few potential, short-term jobs that this mine might provide, most Australians will be bitterly considering the impact it will have on climate change, something our coal-biased government happily ignores.

What does this mean for Australia’s greatest icon, the Great Barrier Reef? Scientists make it clear that global warming due to the burning of coal is the greatest risk facing the Reef.

Rising ocean temperatures will significantly increase the risk of future serious bleaching events and loss of coral.

We will also likely see an increase in the severity of tropical cyclones, damaging both the Reef and property.

A diminished Reef will put at risk 64,000 jobs and the Reef’s $6.4 billion annual injection into Australia’s economy.

So if the Adani mine goes ahead, who wins? Certainly not Australians. Are we willing to risk the health of the Reef and our tourism industry to support a billionaire mining magnate? I think not.

Of course, there are alternatives for energy and jobs in regional Queensland.

We have the best solar in the world, as well as wind energy. We can also lead Australia in clean energy production through hydrogen.

With forward-thinking political leadership, we could become the renewable energy hub for Australia – and save the Great Barrier Reef.

Tony Fontes, Airlie Beach

OH, WHAT a difference losing an election makes.

Since the federal poll, the metamorphosis among ALP MPs as born-again coal disciples is quite remarkable.

Blade Johnstone, Victoria Point

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DRINKERS AREN’T HEEDING ALCOHOL ABUSE WARNING

ALTHOUGH your Editorial (C-M, Jun 14) about drinking ourselves to death contained important health warnings, I fear that it was preaching to the converted.

I suspect that the many who drink more than two standard drinks a day gave both the story and the Editorial a wide berth, either because they don’t want to know or they simply believe that it doesn’t apply to them.

There’s a huge fuss made about cigarettes and no expense is spared on programs, medications and so on, to help smokers kick the habit with everyone admitting readily that it’s an addiction.

Alcohol, however, is a different beast, with getting drunk being not only acceptable but a sign that you are a true blue Aussie.

Carol da Costa-Roque, Annerley

A NINE-year study in Brisbane has found that the number of people who drink alcohol excessively has risen and more drinkers are dying from cirrhosis of the liver.

I have been a member of a private health fund for more than 20 years and the premiums come from my Disability Support Pension which is a meagre amount.

I would like private health funds to provide an incentive or a reward for being health conscious to low-income earners like myself, who choose not to drink or smoke and don’t rely on the public hospital system.

For those irresponsible members of the public who live a reckless lifestyle that includes excessive drinking, smoking cigarettes and even taking drugs, they should be made to contribute to the cost of their healthcare.

As a pensioner, I have to do without to fund the same health fund premiums as a well-paid executive.

Someone on $60,000 a year might not miss the monthly private health fund fees, but pensioners like me on $25,000 a year really struggle.

Liz Haydon, Runcorn

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