Optimism on net zero CO2 emissions could be misplaced

Bob Carr paints an optimistic picture of net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 (“The market will sort this out”, 2/3). But Nobel laureate William Nordhaus disagrees. Snowy Hydro may well make a cost-effective contribution as Carr describes, but on a global scale, Nordhaus and others assess IPCC estimates as underestimating the costs of getting to zero emissions.

Switching to more expensive, less efficient renewable technology may be feasible in wealthy nations, although the most vulnerable are hit by higher energy bills. In poor nations a switch to renewable energy means fewer people are lifted out of poverty. Towards which part of global society do we shape our morality?

Michael Asten, Monash University, Vic

Bob Carr sounds optimistic about the prospects of the Coppabella (Yass) wind farm. He tells us Snowy Hydro will buy up the power and firm up the wind power with the output of its hydro and gas assets. By firming up, l imagine he means supplementing the wind farm’s output during the 14-16 hours a day when it is producing no reliable power.

The problem is, hydro power is strictly limited in this dry continent. And natural gas still produces around 40-60 per cent of the CO2 of coal. Hardly a magic bullet.

K MacDermott, Binalong, NSW

Albanese’s risky target

Simon Benson accurately describes how Anthony Albanese has risked his leadership and Labor’s chances at the next election through his 2050 net zero emissions target (“Albanese’s target gives opponents a bullseye”, 2/3). It has exacerbated the rifts between Labor factions and it leaves Albanese having to produce a strategy to achieve the target.

Any political strategy to take the target to the next election as a “feel good and virtuous” policy to win the popular vote without detailed goalposts and costs will fail. The year 2050 might seem distant but in terms of energy policy to achieve the target, decisions are needed today.

Modern coal and nuclear power generators have operating lives of 60 years plus, whereas wind turbines, with operating lives of 25 years will be out of service before 2050.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

Self disfigurement

The football season is upon us. This means we will be watching talented, young individuals in their prime who have defaced their bodies permanently with tattoos. Gone are the days when men sporting tattoos were usually sailors or criminals.

Now it seems that most footballers have disfigured themselves by having permanent tattoos etched into their arms, legs and necks. Don’t they know it is just a fad? These athletes might be young, talented and at the peak of their fitness now, but have they thought for a moment about how pathetic they will look when they are old? Fashions come and go but tattoos are indelible and with you forever. As for young women who get tattoos, that is something they will regret.

Lizzie Haydon, Runcorn, Qld

Violence in movies

For years, governments have wanted to change the attitudes of young people about the use of violence in solving conflict in relationships.

Our film and games classification system is under review. As it stands, children and teens are frequently exposed to the message that violence wins. Our classification categories PG and M allow easy access to a stream of glamorised violence, where the hero is rewarded and applauded.

It’s time to change to a system that includes more specific age-based categories that limit easy access to such role models. Solutions to the shameful blight of family violence are complex, but such a system could make a difference.

Barbara Biggins, Australian Council on Children and the Media, Glenelg, SA