Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside...

I wrote a letter to the Dominion-Post last week, but was disappointed to see that it was not published. I have since found out however that Patrick Crewdson, Editor in chief (I kid you not, that is his title) of Stuff will not publish anything from climate-change denialists. Another blow it seems for free speech.

Anyway here is the letter:

Dear Editor,

In a front page article in the Dominion-Post on Wednesday the 28th of November Nicholas Boyack reports that parts of Lower Hutt and Petone could be under water before the end of the century, according to a damning report.

I am reminded that back in September 1988 a 'damning report' in Wellington’s Evening Post made the same dire predictions:

“As a result of global warming, across the nation temperatures are breaking records and severe southerly storms which traditionally smashed the capital three or four times a year have become a thing of the past as Wellington bathes in year round balmy weather. Spring flowers are appearing up to two months earlier than usual, heating bills are way down, skin cancer is on the rise and numerous other changes are readily observable.”

The Evening Post author was concerned that there was universal agreement that the polar ice caps were melting which could lift sea levels from three to twelve feet. “As a result nations like the Maldives and Bangladesh would be wiped out, which in the latter case, given its huge population, raised unprecedented re-settlement and refugee problems.”

The writer thought that most of New Zealand’s concerns could be solved building sea walls, but felt that cities like Wanganui and Lower Hutt, with sizeable river outlets, may have some special difficulties.

Other towns, such as Raglan, the article went on to say, were probably doomed, being not of sufficient size and importance to justify saving.

As an occasional visitor to Wellington I must say I am blissfully unaware of the year-round balmy weather; perhaps I visit on the wrong days. Meanwhile sea walls are conspicuous by their absence and I’m fairly certain that, thirty years on, the dear hearts and gentle people of Raglan still live and love in their home town.

Not to worry, didn’t I read somewhere that Al gore recently bought a house by the sea?

Yours faithfully,

Rick Long

“Now there sits a man with an open mind. You can feel the draught from here.” - Groucho Marx.