We feel so anxious about the consequences for our lives and families, that we avoid talking about climate change and don’t know what to do to relieve our emotional tensions.

While further denial is the usual defence, the Melbourne group ‘Psychologists for a Safe Climate’ advocate that the only remedy for emotional relief is some form of concrete action to combat climate change.

The many types of ‘climate action’ available for citizens include reducing CO2 emissions at work or in travelling, using and advocating for renewable energy, eating more local food, divestment from fossil fuels, and making our homes more energy efficient. 

As most homes in Ballarat are extremely inefficient in terms of energy use, this offers major prospects for reducing emissions, as well saving owners hundreds of dollars in annual energy bills.

Well designed modern houses can even be net generators of electricity.

So in efforts to enable Ballarat residents to improve their home energy efficiency, Smart Living Ballarat is running a series of free workshops, with support from the City of Ballarat.  

The second of these workshops is on Wednesday 15th March at 12.30 – 1.30 pm in the Ballarat Central Library.  This talk and workshop will be led by an experienced home energy assessor Sue Harling, and is entitled “DIY Home Energy Assessment”.

Information provided should be valuable to everyone wanting to reduce their gas and electricity bills and CO2 emissions, that is owners and renters of older homes as well as families seeking to renovate, or to buy new homes. For information see http://BREAZE.org.au.

John Petheram, Smart Living Ballarat

The recent article by Peter Martin reported that "Melbourne booms while the rest of Victoria wilts, and it'll only get worse". 

This is a damning indictment on Regional Development Victoria and its Melbourne-centric view of the regional areas of the state.

Just what infrastructure investment is taking place, particularly in Ballarat? We will be told Eureka Stadium and the hotel and convention centre proposed for the Ballarat station precinct. These projects will only provide short-term employment, not sustained full-time jobs, if they proceed.

Ballarat must secure opportunities for its growing workforce, particularly in light of the fact that many people now and into the future will rely on work outside of our city.

Fast, efficient rail and bus services are essential for these future employment opportunities; however, the state government's plans don't include either as stated in the Saturday 4 March report in The Courier.

What do we have to do to get this state Labor government to listen to our community and deliver, first, an integrated transport hub at the Ballarat Rail Station and, second, 45-minute peak-hour express train services to Melbourne and efficient bus services across our city.

Mr Andrews, there is only 18 months until the state election.

Ron Egeberg, Soldiers Hill

How utterly irresponsible are our governments; state and federal. Our taxi industry drivers and owners have worked many years and long days to have this government devalue their assets and labour in such a manner.

I wonder how our politicians would feel if we devalued their payouts?

Carolyn Downes, Wendouree