This is a sound and sensible article for our times and certainly not alarmist. Anyone with even half a brain can see the effects of climate change but unfortunately such people don’t exist at the Oz, where CC is just a construct of the green/left media. I’m glad you mentioned the ridiculous abuse that Pat Cummins copped for his reasoned stance on CC. Try getting a letter or even a comment published in the Oz that defends Cummins or is critical of one of their stable of climate deniers.
Prove to me that carbon dioxide has any effect on temperature. No one has ever been able to do so. It's just another giant hoax, a bit like the covid scam and the domestic violence hysteria.
Ian Plimer is worth listening to, as is the founding father of Greenpeace.
The last three summers in Oz have been non-existent and yet we're meant to believe the place is getting hotter. Spare me this bollocks. for god's sake.
Jack, the world's climate science is summarised by the IPCC into its synthesis reports. There have been six of these to date (most recent at https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/). They are copiously researched and referenced and many thousand scientists contribute to them. The fact that they have not managed to convince *you* does not mean they are wrong, unfortunately.
While climate science is complex temperature observations (https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/) are much more straightforward. They show that global average temperatures have been increasing at an alarming and accelerating rate. This trend is in line with the predictions that climate models have been making, with ever-increasing accuracy, for decades.
Hope you are well. Enjoying the cricket EtAl work that you are all putting out there.
Just read your piece on climate change, which was excellent.
You raise the point about lights - several years ago CA put out a directive on more lighting - they were offering to fund it , but they had created an Australian Standard for Lux required for lighting, which blew out costs. They then ducked for cover funding wise, driving it more to Premier Grade clubs , not council grounds.
Having been an administrator in the game for many years , the NIMBY effect on lighting is a massive thing. Councils know they will get big blowback if they propose lighting, so it generally sits at planning stages.
And having coached schoolboy cricket for the last 10 plus years, heat issues are coming into play, with hot weather policy. I know a few rounds of school cricket were called off in Brisbane a few years ago based on a 40 degree forecast.
And in my real job, I am a risk manager for Allianz, where we review flood and bushfire mapping, and that is looking more foreboding each summer.
Nearly all the clubs in my old suburban cricket comp have moved over the last 15 years or so to a variety of grass which is far more heat and drought tolerant. The grass stays green in summer, requires less watering but turns distinctly yellow in winter, which must be a bit of a turn off for footballers. It has more even coverage and doesn’t get clumpy like other grasses, which makes fielding easier (and safer!)
As for lighting a couple of footy clubs have installed new lights recently and these do not seem to have attracted community opposition, but aren’t generally used by cricket clubs given daylight saving.
I think the local policy is to call off games when the temperature is forecast at 38 or above. Never happened in my day, but then again it rarely got that hot either.
Its interesting that you speak of people complaining about the number of games getting cancelled mean its not worth paying the subs anymore. I think that is becoming true across all sports and climate change in parts has something to do with that. My partner plays soccer and in the past season I think more games were cancelled then were played due to rain making fields unusable. There isn't a simple solution but its great to see cricket trying to be part of a solution.
Unfortunately, it's always been a major (and frustrating) problem with cricket that it can't be played in substantial rain, like the football codes can. A little bit of light rain is okay, but heavy rain, no go. Then you have the issues with the pitch getting wet. Then you have the drama over bad light, another issue test cricket has to deal with. Floodlit cricket, like T20, alas, doesn't have the problem. And you can't put a roof over every ground, as it's really only cricket that needs it.
This is an excellent piece about a hugely important subject that doesn't get anything like the attention it deserves. Of course, The Oz would never have published it, so, if nothing else, it's a justification for your escape from Murdoch's clutches, Peter! It's sad and frustrating to see there are still so many who continue to stay in denial, pulling the sheets over their heads and just hoping that it will somehow miraculously go away. collective constructive engagment is our only real hope, or we will just fall deeper int the morass we are creating for our children and grandchildren.
This makes a lot of sense. If anyone has actually played cricket in the heat of a Brisbane summer they will know it can be dangerous, and not just for Joe Root!
Thanks Peter for writing this. I have watched test cricket in India and the UAE and can attest to some of the unbearable heat and air pollution you have described. I am also an avid listener to cricket and other sports on the ABC and don't think I have ever heard climate change mentioned. Pretending that climate change isn't happening only guarantees that we'll continue to be unprepared for its impacts.
As someone who has grown up in Brisbane I've always thought it made more sense to play cricket here in winter. It's simple insane to spend a whole summer day in the sun up here. And the fact that we hardly ever get any rain in winter (as opposed to frequent storms in summer) offsets any worries about less sunlight in winter (which isn't as much a factor as down south given we are closer to the Equator).
But of course this practical solution isn't at all practical unless the rest of the country follows suit!
Greg, sorry, I accidentally deleted your comment. I’m having a ‘mare here.
Apologies to anyone who received this with the typo in the first par and then some. I’m a fool.
This is a sound and sensible article for our times and certainly not alarmist. Anyone with even half a brain can see the effects of climate change but unfortunately such people don’t exist at the Oz, where CC is just a construct of the green/left media. I’m glad you mentioned the ridiculous abuse that Pat Cummins copped for his reasoned stance on CC. Try getting a letter or even a comment published in the Oz that defends Cummins or is critical of one of their stable of climate deniers.
Prove to me that carbon dioxide has any effect on temperature. No one has ever been able to do so. It's just another giant hoax, a bit like the covid scam and the domestic violence hysteria.
Ian Plimer is worth listening to, as is the founding father of Greenpeace.
The last three summers in Oz have been non-existent and yet we're meant to believe the place is getting hotter. Spare me this bollocks. for god's sake.
Jack, the world's climate science is summarised by the IPCC into its synthesis reports. There have been six of these to date (most recent at https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/). They are copiously researched and referenced and many thousand scientists contribute to them. The fact that they have not managed to convince *you* does not mean they are wrong, unfortunately.
While climate science is complex temperature observations (https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/) are much more straightforward. They show that global average temperatures have been increasing at an alarming and accelerating rate. This trend is in line with the predictions that climate models have been making, with ever-increasing accuracy, for decades.
Ed,
how many jabs have you had?
It's amazing how credulous our mainstream hacks are.
From a dm with permission. Thanks Damian.
Hi Pete,
Hope you are well. Enjoying the cricket EtAl work that you are all putting out there.
Just read your piece on climate change, which was excellent.
You raise the point about lights - several years ago CA put out a directive on more lighting - they were offering to fund it , but they had created an Australian Standard for Lux required for lighting, which blew out costs. They then ducked for cover funding wise, driving it more to Premier Grade clubs , not council grounds.
Having been an administrator in the game for many years , the NIMBY effect on lighting is a massive thing. Councils know they will get big blowback if they propose lighting, so it generally sits at planning stages.
And having coached schoolboy cricket for the last 10 plus years, heat issues are coming into play, with hot weather policy. I know a few rounds of school cricket were called off in Brisbane a few years ago based on a 40 degree forecast.
And in my real job, I am a risk manager for Allianz, where we review flood and bushfire mapping, and that is looking more foreboding each summer.
Hope this is of some assistance.
Damian
Nearly all the clubs in my old suburban cricket comp have moved over the last 15 years or so to a variety of grass which is far more heat and drought tolerant. The grass stays green in summer, requires less watering but turns distinctly yellow in winter, which must be a bit of a turn off for footballers. It has more even coverage and doesn’t get clumpy like other grasses, which makes fielding easier (and safer!)
As for lighting a couple of footy clubs have installed new lights recently and these do not seem to have attracted community opposition, but aren’t generally used by cricket clubs given daylight saving.
I think the local policy is to call off games when the temperature is forecast at 38 or above. Never happened in my day, but then again it rarely got that hot either.
Its interesting that you speak of people complaining about the number of games getting cancelled mean its not worth paying the subs anymore. I think that is becoming true across all sports and climate change in parts has something to do with that. My partner plays soccer and in the past season I think more games were cancelled then were played due to rain making fields unusable. There isn't a simple solution but its great to see cricket trying to be part of a solution.
One of mates said his kid’s soccer fees were $300. They got 3 games in. $100 a game!
Unfortunately, it's always been a major (and frustrating) problem with cricket that it can't be played in substantial rain, like the football codes can. A little bit of light rain is okay, but heavy rain, no go. Then you have the issues with the pitch getting wet. Then you have the drama over bad light, another issue test cricket has to deal with. Floodlit cricket, like T20, alas, doesn't have the problem. And you can't put a roof over every ground, as it's really only cricket that needs it.
This is an excellent piece about a hugely important subject that doesn't get anything like the attention it deserves. Of course, The Oz would never have published it, so, if nothing else, it's a justification for your escape from Murdoch's clutches, Peter! It's sad and frustrating to see there are still so many who continue to stay in denial, pulling the sheets over their heads and just hoping that it will somehow miraculously go away. collective constructive engagment is our only real hope, or we will just fall deeper int the morass we are creating for our children and grandchildren.
This makes a lot of sense. If anyone has actually played cricket in the heat of a Brisbane summer they will know it can be dangerous, and not just for Joe Root!
Thanks Peter for writing this. I have watched test cricket in India and the UAE and can attest to some of the unbearable heat and air pollution you have described. I am also an avid listener to cricket and other sports on the ABC and don't think I have ever heard climate change mentioned. Pretending that climate change isn't happening only guarantees that we'll continue to be unprepared for its impacts.
Excellent read, Pete.
As someone who has grown up in Brisbane I've always thought it made more sense to play cricket here in winter. It's simple insane to spend a whole summer day in the sun up here. And the fact that we hardly ever get any rain in winter (as opposed to frequent storms in summer) offsets any worries about less sunlight in winter (which isn't as much a factor as down south given we are closer to the Equator).
But of course this practical solution isn't at all practical unless the rest of the country follows suit!