AS each day passes, media and financial institutions are warning of a downturn regarding the economy. Nobody will be exempt from this circumstance. Climate change is the elephant in the room. It has been described as the most serious challenge of our time. Sceptics and "lay authorities" retain a positive following via the media. I am reluctant to accuse the Newcastle Herald of right leaning bias and note that Donald Mennie 'Science isn't opinion' (Letters, 19/6) suggests this could be so. John Arnold has taken up the banner for children protesting with his letter 'Raising climate scientists' (Letters,19/6) explaining the urgency to demonstrate. Robin Hopps from Singleton's letter 'Global guessing game' (Letters, 18/6) is a perfect example of somebody "stuck" in a bygone era, grabbing at straws by denigrating Stephen Schneider's mid-1970s prediction, and how later in 1989 he (Schneider) confessed some glaring deficiencies within his theory. Scientific studies mean that a subject is peer reviewed and examined by as many opposing and variable aspects as possible to determine a satisfactory result. I excuse Robin's speculation that the "global warming fallacy" was to influence a few green votes. The ABC's Q&A (17/6) demonstrated what scientific research has discovered. Five renowned scientists, who have been studying this possible calamity, were guests on the program. I recommend the segment be viewed by anybody seriously interested in what might happen to planet Earth. Robin and Brad Hill (from Singleton) should get out more and clear their minds of that coal dust around Singleton. I lived there 55 years ago and the town water was horrible, and now it seems the coal dust is affecting the residents' thought processes.

EVEN as we now learn that Arctic permafrost is thawing 70 years earlier than climate models have predicted, letters from deniers and sceptics continue to be published with monotonous regularity. Australia ranks in the top five countries in the world for the extent of such ignorance, which refuses to surrender in the face of escalating scientific evidence. Rather, it mounts a dogged and staged retreat. That retreat will proceed with something like this:

1. CO2 is not actually increasing (the original denialist position dating back 30 years).

2. Even if it is, the increase has no impact on the climate since there is no convincing evidence of warming.

3. Even if there is warming; it is due to natural causes.

4. Even if the warming cannot be explained by natural causes, the human impact is small, and the impact of continued greenhouse gas emissions will be minor.

5. Even if the current and future projected human effects on Earth's climate are not negligible, the changes are generally going to be good for us.

6. Whether or not the changes are going to be good for us, humans are very adept at adapting to changes; besides, it's too late to do anything about it, and/or a technological fix is bound to come along when we really need it.

It seems that currently in Australia, the deniers are broadly in the 2-4 range, but falling back steadily towards 5 and 6. Our country is fast becoming a laughing stock. While much of the rest of the world simply gets on with the task of transitioning to a post-carbon future, Australia continues to have a ludicrous "debate" about where and when we should build publicly-funded coal-fired power stations. We are rapidly being left behind by countries which long ago worked out that the denialist rump will never go away and so should be ignored.

IN the face of the latest UN Human Rights report on the possible involvement of the Saudi Crown Prince in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi ('Aust to look closely at Khashoggi report', theherald.com.au, 20/6), as well as previous evidence of the Saudi slaughter of innocent Yemini women and children, reported by Save the Children Fund, why does Australia continue to export weapon systems to Saudi Arabia? Surely there is sufficient proof of the human rights atrocities committed by our ally in the Middle East conflict to cease the export of the EOS Remote Weapon Stations and Oshkosh Light Tactical Vehicles, as reported by our Foreign Affairs Minister at Senate Estimates hearings. It is now time to place an embargo on any further weapons exports, as has been done by several European nations.

THE Screaming Jets and Kiss concert at the Sportsground sounds like a good idea. Concert goers might well visit Darby Street for refreshments and help boost the coffers of the cafes and restaurants there. Given the drain on their businesses, and most other small business in the CBD during the three months Supercars is in town, they will appreciate this. I'm wondering though, why no other promoter has thought to hold concerts at this location. Unlike Supercars, who are actually paid a 'hosting fee' by ratepayers to use our parklands, city streets and other facilities, would other promoters actually have to pay council to have this venue?

I AM very upset to think that Danny Levi could be replaced by the Newcastle Knights. Not only is he a great hooker, he is an incredible tackler and also keeps the game flowing, never taking a backward step and really only needs a good back up while he is best hooker in the premiership proving himself over and over again. Don't let him go to another club please as he is a great asset to the Knights as starting hooker.