Water, everywhere. What are we to think?

Last week it was revealed that an extension to operations had been granted to a major coal mine. Somewhat paradoxically, massive challenges due to sea level rise were reviewed in The Sun-Herald (“ Battling against Mother Nature to stop suburbs sinking into the sea ”, August 16). Climate science unequivocally indicates that burning fossil fuel contributes carbon dioxide to the Earth’s atmosphere. This gas does eventually dissipate. However, while present production is maintained, even at half the rate, the greenhouse effect will continue to grow, leading to global warming and, at present, accelerating sea level rise. As portrayed in this excellent article, it is now acknowledged that the problems confronting NSW are immense – both in scale and cost to the private and public purse. Yet, some politicians advocate increasing the use of fossil fuel when they should be confronting the challenges and endeavouring to find solutions to this human-induced threat. Roger Epps, Armidale

The concerns of residents living in areas of coastal flooding are a human species concern. We chose to build at the edge of the water. Is that any concern of the sea, which expands to increase its own habitable space? Is anything we do of concern to the planet? It’s been here for billions of years and will be here long after we have become extinct either by dint of our own bellicose nature or by dint of cosmic processes. Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay

Although the image of Nero fiddling while Rome burned is yet another example of politically motivated fake news, it is true to say that the contemporary world has its fair share of “Neros”, content to fiddle while this planet burns (“ Scientists warn of grass fires in the Antarctic ”, August 16). They fiddle with the inconvenient truth, they fiddle with resource inequity, they fiddle with international conflicts, and they fiddle with the prospects of future generations. Rome may have taken considerably more than a day to rebuild. But our home, Earth? It’s an ominous question. Steve Dillon, Thirroul

The growing flow of temporary visa holders should be no surprise (“ Holidaying Brits seek asylum to stay longer ”, August 16). Our current visa systems were designed and developed for the Olympics in the late 1990s and intended to deal with the rapid entry of crowds of visitors in 2000. At the time, it was a world first digital system and a global benchmark. The single attempt at a comprehensive modern replacement – the Morrison government’s ill-fated $1 billion privatisation scheme – was scrapped in 2020. Several reviews since have found it no longer fit for purpose, trapping the skilled tradies and other workers we need in broken pathways to permanent residency. It will take time. Margaret Wright, Millers Point

If the application is genuine, and not someone seeking more time in the sun sleeping or fruit picking, then immediately remove any asylum seekers to a secure location where their claim can be assessed in a timely manner by dedicated experts. Howard Springs? Woomera? Koolan Island? Those fleeing war and persecution will welcome this care and security. Those fleeing a northern winter will not.