It says that coal-generated electricity must be phased out globally by 2050 if the world is to avoid catastrophic global warming, including worsening food insecurity, wildfires and the total destruction of the Great Barrier Reef by as early as 2040. The report distils more than 6000 scientific references, yet, this is unlikely to convince opponents of renewable energy. This is precisely why such people have no place as policy makers at any level of government.

At the forthcoming Victorian State Election this November, voters have a clear choice and opportunity to vote for candidates who represent a party with a comprehensive plan and policies to address the urgent, existential challenge which climate change presents.

Australia is a wealthy nation with extensive renewable energy resources that should be used to benefit all Australians, and it should become a world leader in addressing climate change. Failure to transition to a low-carbon future will have devastating effects upon our economy, and the science on this is very clear. Australia has the capacity to ensure that our employment and energy needs can be met through renewables, however, it is increasingly clear that this will not happen whilst climate-change denying politicians and policy-makers continue to do the bidding of the fossil fuel industry.

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In November, I will be voting for the party which has a plan to transition Victoria to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030, and to bring our energy system back into public hands where it belongs.

I’ll be voting for the party which recognises that many of the harshest impacts of climate change disproportionately affect those already experiencing disadvantage, and addressing climate change and building a just society go hand in hand.

The Victorian Greens want an orderly phase out of fossil fuel mining, fossil fuel based electricity generation and consumption of fossil fuels consistent with an emissions reduction plan.

A just transition to a net zero carbon economy through a range of mechanisms including a plan to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy through strong regulatory intervention and a strong, effective price on carbon.

I will also be voting for the party which does not accept funding or donations from the fossil fuel industry. That party is the Greens.

I am bewildered as to why people do not use a lead on their dogs when they decide to walk them in public areas.

Strathfieldsaye provides wonderful walking tracks and when walking my neighbors dog – on a lead I may add –  I was confronted with a wandering dog and an abusive owner. I was endeavoring to cross a small bridge and when I asked the owner –  who was on his mobile phone and taking up half the width of the bridge –  to move his dog away from me and my leashed dog, I was bombarded with foul language and abuse and a suggestion that he didn't have to have a lead on his dog.

Really? I really don't understand why this happens. Are some of these owners precious and the by laws of the council mean nothing?

Read more: Too cute! Celebrate national dog day | Gallery

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