OPINION:
Tomorrow’s “Earth Hour” is completely futile. Thinking something can be achieved with a one-hour gesture is pure hubris. The whole purpose of the exercise is to make us more environmentally aware, which is somewhat esoteric. Wouldn’t it be of more benefit to actually target problems that significantly affect the lives of millions, including famine, homelessness, poverty and disease? If environmentalists believe the planet is under some dire threat from fossil-fuel emissions, why don’t they keep their lights off permanently?
In the future, due to the high renewable energy costs, it may be that people will have to switch off for far longer periods than just one hour in order to save on their costly power bills and prevent rolling black-outs.
Nature has blessed most developed countries, such as Australia, where I live, with abundant resources. These supply us with cheap and reliable power. And given that Australia has a rapidly expanding population, we must not squander this most valuable asset by jettisoning coal-fired power in favor of unreliable and expensive renewable energy.
In response to a question about what the impact would be if the world reduced its carbon-dioxide emissions to zero, Australia’s chief scientist, Alan Finkel, replied, “Virtually nothing.”
Earth is under no threat from carbon-dioxide emissions. There is no need to decarbonize the economy.
ALAN BARRON
Victoria, Australia
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