LETTERS

It was good to see the large number and variety of letters in last week's GB Weekly (GBW, 2/6). I think this is a healthy indication of a vibrant and engaged community.

For some time, I have noted a common "sustainability theme" in the letters section and would like to offer a thought for consideration. Over 30 years ago I remember, along with lots of others, campaigning to "Save the lungs of the world" –the Amazon rainforest. Sadly, despite some very serious efforts made at all levels of society, the destruction continues.

Rather than us continue to try to fix a corrupt and destructive world "system" that places money, power and control at the "top of our aspirational pyramid", why don't we create a completely new modus operandi? For example, what might happen if we change our primary goal to something like: realising the natural and interdependent health and wellbeing of all life on Earth? Think and imagine what a different paradigm life could become.

Time to action a very bold vision?

Putin's war

Clive James

Thank you to all the readers whose correspondence regarding carbon neutral was initiated by my letters.

A new subject to ponder: it is time the world press, and our domestic press, started to address the Ukraine War as "Putin's War". Stop calling it a "Russian War".

That is the truth and to do so would change the energy and Putin's ranking in the world. Very likely this would change world opinion and address the truth to the benefit of ending it .

It is not a Russian war. The Russian people are not guilty. World War Two was "Hitler's War". The German people were not guilty either.

That is the truth.

Joining forces with the RSA

Reg Turner

Right now, NZ Defence Force personnel are in the UK training Ukraine soldiers whilst others are deployed on peacekeeping operations in other troubled regions of the world. At home our Forces are ready to deploy at a moments notice to support our allies in maintaining peace whenever and wherever they are required. In order to maintain that state of readiness, our NZDF personnel use their skills to help with Search & Rescue operations, assist with disaster relief (as recently demonstrated in Auckland and Tairawhiti) or provide support to Government agencies. You may be surprised to know that some 60 plus exNZDF Veterans currently reside in the Tākaka District and our local RSA supports many of these veterans and their families.

We are a volunteer organisation who is constantly on the look out for new members to help organise commemorations such as ANZAC and Armistice services, help support families or assist with other projects. If you’d like to help please come to our AGM at 7pm Monday 12 June in the Fire Station. Afterwards join us for supper and hear our guest speaker tell about her extensive research of Tākaka District WWI soldiers. If you’d like to know more about the RSA and what we do - google "RSA" and see links to the National RSA website, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, or email us at: goldenbayrsa@gmail.com. While online, check out the savings that can be made using your RSA membership card.

Noel Baigent, Golden Bay RSA president

Science: consensus and criticism

The English language kindly affords us words like racist,antivaxxer, climate denier, disinformationist, etc. All useful words to ascribe to people with views different from our own. In a free world such as ours, robust informed debate is vital as we search for truth, honesty and great outcomes for our society. By obstructing alternative views by ascribing labels such as these reduces the chance of inconvenient truths surfacing. This can only be detrimental to a society whose cohesion is based largely on trust and truth. Highly respected, but not by all seemingly, Australian geologist Professor Ian Plimer has been lampooned by ever-vigilant social media, politicians and colleagues for his views on the contribution of human- centred CO2 emissions to the warming of the planet. He maintains that science is based not upon consensus but upon criticism and that is why scientific opinion seems constantly at war. We are told that CO2 emissions caused by human life and activity are heavily implicated in climate change and that such activity must be drastically altered to avoid catastrophe. However the cost of altering course as prescribed by governments worldwide may just be calamitous in itself, let alone necessary at all. Perhaps the current consensus science needs more criticism and debate in order to avoid a different calamity.

Warwick Stubbs Magic moments in a mad world

With the world seemingly going completely nutty at times it's nice to know there are still little gem moments that put an unwipeable smile on your face.

Like taking the Jack Russells for a romp at Milnthorpe Beach on Saturday afternoon and coming across a smiling, friendly family sharing a birthday picnic who, after a brief chat, without hesitation shared their delicious homemade birthday cookies with me, a perfect stranger. Utterly delightful. Not to mention the happy encounters both human and furry that ensued for the rest of our romp.

Renée Hadfield

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We all know what need to do to boost our health and wellbeing. It starts with looking after ourselves as well as we can –eating and sleeping well, and being active, all help. get latest vaccine booster. It will help protect us from getting really sick. And the good news is, getting a booster is simple.

Hospice fundraiser

SUBMITTED

Golden Bay has once again exceeded expectations, raising over $10,000 for Nelson Tasman Hospice (NTH). In April, NTH sought support from the Bay to fund the purchase of $7,000-worth of palliative care equipment urgently required for patients on hospice service.

Late last week, NTH marketing and digital communications lead Ana Fierek reflected on the “amazing response” which had raised a total of $10,569, thanks in large part to significant early donations from the Kris Campbell Memorial Fund, Golden Bay Lions and TradeZone, who also ran a sausage sizzle at the Village Green. Numerous businesses, including NBS Tākaka, Hammer Hardware, Tākaka Hospice Shop, Golden Bay Pharmacy, TradeZone, Tinky’s Tavern, The Pōhara General Store, The Wholemeal Café, Molly B’s, and FreshChoice, all contributed through in-store donation boxes.

Ana was both delighted and grateful. “This community effort enabled not only the purchase of the new equipment but also supports the sustainability of hospice services in the region. A huge thank you to everyone who got involved with this campaign, and the Golden Bay community for supporting specialist palliative care services in the region.”

Hardened undies