Nationals taking on a challenge on nation’s net-zero mindset

The problem for the Coalition is that, in regard to their views on energy policy, whether right or wrong, they have not yet taken the Australian people with them (“Knives out … for net zero”, 23/7).

Broadly speaking, Australians have bought into the narrative on climate change and energy policy and are not in a mood, as demonstrated by the election result, to brook any challenges to that narrative, despite it being abundantly clear that Australia’s efforts cannot have any material impact on total global carbon dioxide emissions. Australians are fearful about the purported closely correlated link between energy use and the natural periodically occurring climatic events they are always being hectored about.

Despite living in one of the world’s emptiest nations, they are even more frightened of power from nuclear sources. Until that mindset is challenged by events that impact them directly – such as energy prices and issues of reliability – they are not going to change.

Peter Thornton, Killara, NSW

The Barnaby Joyce-Michael McCormack duo provide entertaining reading. But seriously, have they forgotten that, under David Littleproud’s leadership, their party did pretty well at the last election?

Are they aware that many of their constituencies are actively seeking to climate-proof their land and business? Do they oppose the lucrative choice of landowners to host wind farms? Have they heard of agrivoltaics?

It’s time for this duo to stop the power plays and get on board with the majority of Australians.

Fiona Colin, Malvern East, Vic

In opposing net zero, one must provide a plausible argument. One of the several objectives of net zero by 2050 in order to restrain global warming is to reach net-zero emissions by removing an equal amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as we release into it.

Australia’s contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions is a minuscule 1 per cent. Consider that China’s emissions at 35 per cent exceed all developed nations combined. Internationally recognised academics have estimated the cost to Australia by 2050 as being $7 trillion to $9 trillion – a cost that must eventually be met by consumers.

If Australia were to opt out of this objective, the effect on global warming as against high-emitting Western nations would effectively be zero.

About 70 per cent of our population lives between the Gold Coast and Adelaide. These regions contain millions of trees, all of which act as carbon sinks that soak up carbon dioxide.

Net zero would have a highly negative effect on our living standards and devastating effect on animal farming. On a cost-benefit basis, it must be opposed.

Kevin Begaud, Dee Why, NSW

The National Party must sort out its leadership issues, and both the Nationals and the Liberals should deal quickly with their net-zero policy. The two problems are connected because the minor Coalition partner’s decision on climate action will affect its policy negotiations with the Liberals.

Many on both sides of the LNP would prefer to avoid fighting the next election with net zero a major issue. Even Peter Dutton went to the last election supporting it.

More important, most other major parties, plus the teal independents, accept net zero.

The impact of renewables transition, such as solar and wind energy projects, on agricultural land and liveability in the regions are claimed to be worse than in the cities. Nationals could gain subsidies and concessions to make net zero more palatable, but on the overall policy the LNP would find it hard to get elected if they do not go with net zero.

The leader of the Nationals could become deputy prime minister at the next election. That depends partly on how the LNP deals with net zero.

John Hughes, Mentone, Vic

Smart Coalition politicians will oppose net zero along with Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack. The US, China, India and other big emitters never adopted it, have abandoned it publicly, say one thing and do another or are rapidly adopting nuclear and other 24/7 power source.

The net-zero narrative is fading in most of the world, and we will join the rational majority or go down with the irrational believers. That is the future.

Doug Hurst, Chapman, ACT