Woodside decision is following in path of global climate policy

Raelene Cooper headed the successful legal action against Woodside Energy’s seismic gas survey in its Scarborough gas field (“High price of activists’ seismic win”, 29/9). She said she expected the project to be delayed rather than stopped: “All they are looking at are the dollar signs at the beginning and the end of it.”

Ms Cooper echoes what environmental activists, economists and many others have known for decades about our refusal or inability to move away from fossil fuels. Woodside would be aware of successive Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports and that our global emissions budget has no room for new coal, oil or gas. But they do it anyway.

At this week’s Climate Week in New York, Volvo announced it would end production of all diesel cars by early next year. Its chief executive Jim Rowan said: “It is high time for industry and political leaders to be strong and decisive, and deliver meaningful policies and actions to fight climate change.” We need steadfast leadership from politicians and corporations working together to successfully meet our increasingly evasive emissions targets.

Fiona Colin, Malvern East, Vic

Activism has blocked Woodside’s development of the Scarborough gas field. Apparently Indigenous consultation was inadequate and there was insufficient appreciation of traditional customs and practices. This project would have released massive amounts of gas, providing export revenue, as well as locally, where supplies are running low.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s offshore wind farm, a mere 20km from the coast, gets passed through despite large numbers of complaints – double standards, writ large.

Graham Pinn, Maroochydore, Qld

Class actions

As a retired teacher I can relate to teachers’ concerns (“Classroom behaviour is demoralising our teachers”, 29/9). I would attribute part of the problem to disengagement through continued NAPLAN practice and testing, and through the sedentary nature of schooling. There should be more opportunities for play, physical activity, and less sitting. There are many studies that identify the benefits of regular physical activity with regard to student behaviour. Student-run activities during breaks can assist with behav­iour by giving students responsibility. Increasing opportunities for physical activity is a practical solution rather than providing ideological excuses for poor behaviour.

Caroline Brooks, Indooroopilly, Qld

Claire Lehmann’s article presents a worrying review of the teaching profession but overemphasises the classroom and disruptive students. Yes, there are problem students, as there always have been, although Covid-19 messed up their education. This is not helped by over-protective and misguided parents.

Most teachers, however, see the classroom as the good part of the day, despite the challenges, as they can achieve something there and they are able to work without too much interference. Many teachers are frustrated by endless meetings, ineffective and, at times, incompetent principals, annual reviews of their teaching that take time away from their classroom preparations, and in general administration. So many hours are consumed preparing paperwork that is ticked, filed and eventually deleted or shredded without any impact on the classroom. I left the government system because of these issues. Let teachers teach, that’s what we are best at and what we want to do.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill, Vic

As a studentship holder bonded to the Education Department for three years on completion of studies and training, I was part of the cannon fodder sent to schools no teacher would apply for.

Green “first year outs”, no developmental or classroom management theories could have prepared us for what I and the other lambs to the slaughter were thrown into. It didn’t occur to me to quit teaching. I survived and later thrived.

However, those who enter the profession must not be left to sink or swim. Adequate and effective training in real-life classroom management is essential as teaching and learning cannot occur in a maelstrom. If the school and the classroom are dangerous places, teachers will walk. Who can blame them?

Deborah Morrison, Malvern, Vic

Andrews legacy

With the resignation of Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, the lockdown nay-sayers have come out again, completely downplaying the serious threat we faced during the Covid-19 pandemic (“Explosive rant of Yesterday’s Dan”, 29/9).

Perhaps some context is needed. According to data released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Covid-19 was the third leading cause of death in Australia last year, and the data is looking similar for this year. This is with vaccines, treatments, milder strains and the pandemic supposedly behind us. Thanks to lockdowns and border closures, Australia avoided the carnage experienced by other countries.

Sue Lester, Grange, SA