Like most things, people’s opinions can vary one way or the other, and usually the facts end up somewhere in the middle of both arguments.
Climate change is a prime example.
It is a very emotional topic and, like extreme weather, people’s views can be so far apart.
Some have their heads buried in the sand and ignore the high tide.
Others are convinced the world will be ending in the near future unless we stop cows farting.
If you believe the Greens (who basically say no to everything), we are in dire trouble.
Some days, I am a strong believer in climate change and other days, not so strong.
That’s particularly true when I look back over my nearly 70 years on the Sunshine Coast, remembering some really big weather events.
Either way, I do have to wonder about my intelligence.
Having lived here for so long, you would think I would live on a hill – somewhere safe from an extreme weather event or, in fact, climate change.
But no, I live at the beach in what was probably a swamp 50 years ago.
If we ever get a king tide and a cyclone at the same time, I reckon I will be swimming – climate change or not.
But that is something I have accepted, as I love living where I live.
Recently, though, if you believe the media, there is a chance I will be sharing that swamp and swimming with southern-bound crocodiles, which apparently do believe in climate change and are heading south for cooler weather.
That news didn’t make me particularly happy.
The closest I have come to a croc is at Beerwah (Australia Zoo).
However, I did share an old shipwreck with one in Papua New Guinea a few years ago.
But at the time, I didn’t know it was there until I got out of the water, or I would have had to have changed my budgie smugglers.
That particular snorkelling expedition started with me, a mate and a guide pulling up in a boat at the wreck and this idiot just diving straight in without checking for any marine creatures.
I must say, crocodiles are not on my favourite creatures list.
Hopefully, they will go straight down the highway to their cousins at Australia Zoo.
That’s of course if someone fixes the Bruce Highways traffic flow.
Crikey, that sounds like a plan.
If not, maybe I better start looking for a hill.
Ashley Robinson is chairman of the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball, and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.
