Morrison and Berejiklian can't see the forest for the burning trees

[Matilda]

(For those in the other countries, Gladys Berejiklian is our sorry excuse for Premier of NSW.)

"However, not only have the two leading Liberals stymied any mention of climate change when questioned, both the NSW Premier and PM have recently taken and/or failed to take action that can reasonably be expected to have serious negative consequences for firefighters, communities and individuals threatened by bushfires — both currently and into the future.

On June 21 2019, the Fire Brigade Employees Union reported on its website that the Berejiklian Government had cut the capital budget of Fire and Rescue NSW by a whopping 35.4 per cent."

(snip)

"On Tuesday 12 November, after a campaign by the NSW Minerals Council, the NSW Parliament will debate legislation introduced by the Berejiklian Government that will remove the power of planning authorities to rule out coal mine projects based on the climate change impact of emissions from the coal, once it has been burned.

The NSW Government has not consulted with the public on this proposed change — only with the mining industry. The introduction of the Bill follows the NSW Land and Environment Court’s February rejection of the proposed Rocky Hill coal mine, citing the impact the mine would have on climate change through the burning of coal. The court also rejected a proposed development in the Bylong valley, citing similar concerns.

In other words, the Berejiklian Government is acting entirely in the interest of the mining industry, by attempting to legislate to remove the Land and Environment Court’s authority to block proposed mines on climate change grounds."


https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/morrison-and-berejiklian-cant-see-the-forest-for-the-burning-trees,13305


Yes, you have a nutjob as President, and we have an equally mental Prime Minister, who could be a twin soul to Trump.

We're also cursed with an appalling excuse for a State Premier. But even Labor politicians are saying that this "isn't the right time" to be discussing climate change - well, those of us who can still think for ourselves think this is exactly the right time, while we watch the rural areas burn as they never have before. Houses and people destroyed, not to mention hundreds of native animals and birds that never had a chance. But Gladys won't lift a finger for anybody except the coal miners and developers.

"Unprecedented", "catastrophic" they say, but "nothing to do with climate change". And Morrison plots to introduce legislation that will allow him to lock up people who engage in peaceful protest for climate action.

There is an awful feeling of having nowhere to turn, nobody to look to bring some sanity back into the world.

I don't think humans have much chance of surviving this century, and I'm not sure that's a bad thing. Leave the world to the animals; they deserve it more than we do. If there are any left by the time people have done their worst.

[Mickju]

1. I reluctantly agree with your last paragraph.

As a former resident of Australia I am heartbroken about what is happening to your country. It's happening here also, of course, and seems to be happening everywhere. I hope you are safe.

[Matilda]

2. I was reluctant to write that last paragraph,

but never have I seen so much being sacrificed for greed. People and their homes, and animals and their habitat.

And I feel hopeless and helpless, as do so many of us.

Edited to add: Thanks for your concern - we live close to outer city bushfire zones, but we'd have warning. I've lived closer to a national park, and that got scary; wouldn't want to do it again, even for the scenery and the wildlife.