Use of hydrogen offers a solution to our warming climate he says.

Yet whilst developed countries are forging ahead in their embrace of new clean-energy technologies (including hydrogen), we in Australia are languishing in the past, and clinging onto old technology ultimately at great cost to individual taxpayers.

Instead of an orderly transition away from coal, we have a the federal government that just last week promised $4 million for a feasibility study into a coal-fired power station in north Queensland, an $11 million 'handout' for repairs to prolong the operation of the Vales Point coal generator, and continuing support for Adani, even though the related summer bushfires caused an enormous devastating economic hit of $4.4 billion.

By supporting more coal generation we are indirectly fuelling more wildfires and worsening droughts in the years ahead.

Politically, we are being held back by a group of ultra-conservative climate change deniers at great cost to our economy and the environment.

By voting for these ill-informed and non-visionary politicians we are unwittingly contributing to a future of extreme heat, more wild-fires, more flash flooding, higher insurance premiums, and higher food prices as regular supply of food becomes more difficult.

Continuing down this path will result in a much destabilised economy and a more difficult and insecure future for each and every one of us.

Clearly, a clever country we are not!

Great to hear of your Greening Bendigo tree planting plan.

I Hope it is passed.

Visiting Bendigo as I do yearly is such a pleasure. There's a lot of beautiful shady trees and strolling through Rosalind Park is a treat.

I've been doing it for 40-plus years and enjoy it more every time.

Wishing you success in this very worthwhile endeavour.

Each week one submission judged the Letter of the Week will win its author two tickets to Bendigo Cinemas.

Winners will be announced in each Saturday edition of the Bendigo Advertiser, and online at www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au

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