Letters: Cruelly hot days are here and we need to act
Kokushōbi – the era of the cruelly hot days
The Japanese have now coined a new word – “kokushōbi” – it means a cruelly hot day. Heat so intense that it is actually life-threatening to go outside.
We can see it happening everywhere in the current Northern Hemisphere summer. Record-breaking heat domes in Europe and North America. Out-of-control wildfires driving mass evacuations. Record droughts parching the land. Lakes and inland seas literally disappearing. Ever more intense storms sweeping the globe.
It’s our reality, too, and we all know why it’s happening. It is called man-made climate change. Mankind is releasing so much greenhouse gas from burning fossil fuels that we are literally burning our future.
So why aren’t we doing all we can to stop burning fossil fuels? Why are far too many of us still in denial? Why is it not the number one political issue of the day? Why are we still locked into business as usual when the whole climate paradigm is shifting as a consequence of what we’re doing? When was the last time you heard our politicians, other than the Green Party, talk about “sustainability” and “resilience” instead of growth at all cost or the everyday cost of living? I know it’s a huge existential issue to get your head around, but it’s infinitely more important than the price of butter or petrol.
We all know prevention is much wiser than trying to cure a bad result. It’s not like we don’t have options, like renewable clean energy. So why all the denial, foot-dragging, clinging to destructive habits?
We are all in this together; no one is exempt, no matter your political ideology or how rich or powerful you are. There is no planet B anyone can realistically flee to.
Jeff Hayward, Auckland.
The right candidates
As the 2026 general election approaches, we note a flurry of hopeful candidates, speeches from sitting MPs, and a certain amount of questionable campaigning. It is timely to note that young voters, perhaps teenagers voting for the first time, will not necessarily be impressed by posturing and proclamations from politicians.
We should all look for candidates we can trust, whose views will be clearly stated and whose promises are sincere. We need politicians who can be trusted; who have definite practical ideas that can benefit the electorate.
Personal attributes are of high importance; what is not valued are insults from politicians who hope to downgrade an opponent’s chances.
Hopefully, as the November date looms, voters will feel confident in choosing candidates who are hard-working within their electorates and devoted to serving the nation as a whole.
Diana Burslem, Epsom.
Harsh realities
Sooner or later New Zealand will wake up and realise we can no longer have the first-class lifestyle we used to as we no longer generate enough income to pay for it.
Every day we read about firemen wanting higher wages and new equipment, doctors wanting access to more funded drugs and better hospital facilities, education providers wanting more funds, infrastructure needing more funding, we urgently need more power generation, etc, etc.
Where will all the money come from?
Then along come the elections and all the parties are offering expensive bribes to encourage us to vote for them, which they have no money in the kitty for.
There must come a time when we reach our borrowing limit and have to face some harsh realities.
Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
The cause and the cure
Increases in rates and the price of fuel contribute to inflation. To damp down inflation, we raise interest rates. This works by decreasing discretionary spending. But the higher rates and the pricier fuel are already decreasing discretionary spending. So the cafes, restaurants, shops – the economy – suffer from the cause of inflation, and the cure.
I’m not an economist, but it doesn’t seem logical.
Chris Elias, Parnell.
The Kiwi Mr Cricket
Australia had a late test bloomer who went on to an excellent batting and bowling career. Michael Hussey aka Mr Cricket. We have uncovered our own late bloomer, bowling and batting NZ to a series win over England.
Nathan Smith is our own Mr Cricket!
Stephen Holden, Manurewa.
Lost opportunity
One can only admire the talent and resilience of former All Black Ma’a Nonu as a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and the oldest player to feature in the French Top 14, aged 44. However, it is disconcerting that Nonu will join the South African side the Sharks, as a player mentor.
This would appear to be another lost opportunity by the New Zealand Rugby Union to use its own home-grown talent to the benefit of New Zealand teams.
Bernard Walker, Mt Manganui.
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