Net Zero: realistic, practical and achievable solution to climate change

WHILE the concept of achieve Net Zero carbon emissions may appear costly and overwhelming, the practical action for local households are there waiting. The priorities include installing solar panels, changing to heat pump hot water system, reverse cycle air-condition, disconnecting from gas appliances, installing induction cook top, and energy efficient fridge, freezer and dishwasher. All these steps rely on using as much home-produced solar energy as possible and disconnecting gas. They don’t need to be actioned all at once, but can be staged as funds permit or appliances need replacement. Changing the internal combustion engine vehicle to electric vehicle charged off solar is a way to reduce the transport emissions and cost. Retro fitting existing homes to improve insulation, shading windows from hot sun and improving cross ventilation for summer cooking are further examples of what can be done. Rewiring Australia estimates that the cost of a gas/petrol home is about $5300 with a carbon emission footprint of 9550 kg of CO2 per year. A fully electric home costs about $1850 per year with ZERO CO2 per year. From February to June this year the Wangaratta Library had an exhibition from the Australia Museum of Future Now Climate Solutions. This featured many practical climate solutions examples in the three display cabinets of Clever Homes, Smart Towns and Caring for Country. The climate solution for our homes, city and country where on display and were all achievable if the will exists. Russell Sully, Wangaratta Don't give up hope for peace THANK you to Tegan Podubinski for her letter (Wangaratta Chronicle, September 27). She is right that the Israel-Palestine conflict has a long history, parts of which we must not forget as it can give us hope for the future. The world seems to have forgotten that the two-state solution was nearly there, in 1995. The then PM of Israel Yitzak Rabin, leader of the Labor Party, and Yasser Arafat, leader of the PLO, had signed the Oslo accords, together with USA president Clinton. In many places there was great joy, including in Israel, as it seemed, peace had finally come. Sadly, in November 1995, Rabin was assassinated by an Israeli citizen at a public rally. Rabin’s Labor Party lost the election six month later. Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the Liberal Party, won the election, and the two-state solution began to unravel. Mr Netanyahu has been able to stay in power for most of those 30 years by stitching together a variety of conservative coalitions, winning most of the subsequent elections. It needs a strong Labor leader to reverse the politics. It is my hope that now, nearly 30 years later, enough Israeli citizens at their next election will vote for parties that will bring peace and a willingness to work at a two-state solution. The present attitude of Israel’s government to Palestinians in Gaza and the Westbank will only lead to more resentment and deep anger leading to more wars. Like Tegan, I encourage people to educate themselves on the true nature of the ongoing conflict, by Googling Israel’s history. John van Riet, Wangaratta Sculpture is a distraction for drivers JUST wait now for the accidents at the Oxley roundabout. I’m a great believer in promoting the area and Prosecco Road, but that’s not the place to put a monstrosity like the new 'Bubbles in the landscape' sculpture. What an eyesore. People should have their attention on the road and other traffic. There was a double fatality at that location some years back and now we are going to see more accidents. Doug Brockfield, Milawa

Net Zero: realistic, practical and achievable solution to climate change

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