Frank Nicklason
We must not fall into the trap of allowing big, polluting industries such as coal mining to carbon offset by establishing broadacre water hungry plantations on our productive farmlands.
Dear Editor
There is currently much debate about how the forests and the forestry industry relate to our overall response to climate change.
Premier David Bartlett is convinced that he has seen research showing the benefits of plantation forestry ( Mercury 6/8 ).
I am not against plantations per se but I hope that Mr Bartlett is careful to examine very broadly what is required regards managing the challenges of climate change.
It is a critical requirement that the adaption part of our strategy, first and foremost, secures our longterm food and water supply. To be reliant on imported food in the turmoil of global shortages is to be foolhardy in the extreme.
We must not fall into the trap of allowing big, polluting industries such as coal mining to carbon offset by establishing broadacre water hungry plantations on our productive farmlands.
Australian people are aware of the dire water shortages in the Murray-Darling system and the implications that this has for our major food bowl.
Tasmania, with its better rainfall and rich soils, will be a crucial food insurance policy for all of the nation just so long as we do not continue to stuff it up with inappropriately placed tree farms.
Frank Nicklason
West Hobart
