In 2020, the agency estimates that 7.8 billion people will call Earth their home, with humanity thought to approach 11 billion people by 2100. Biodiversity is threatened as billions of people subscribe to ever increasing living standards and transient consumer trends.

In 2019 the UN estimated that around 25 per cent of species on earth are at risk within plant and animal groups. Changing land and sea use, climate change, pollution and invasion of alien species are identified as significant factors.

One million species "face extinction" within decades, unless coordinated action is taken to halt the predicted loss of biodiversity.

More than 1 billion animals in Australia are conservatively estimated to have perished so far in the current bush fire season. There is an urgent need for federal, state and local governments to develop best practice policies, which protects our communities, infrastructure and environment.

Development and protection of wildlife are not mutually exclusive; they can co-exist with appropriate policy settings that involves genuine consultation with stakeholders.

We are ephemeral custodians of planet Earth, who share responsibility to protect our planet for future generations. Otherwise, "further acceleration" in the global rate of species extinction will become our new norm.

In memory of former Councillor, Geoff Dingle.

Also read: Letters to the Editor, February 6

A short survey; what would you rather have?

1. A fully government funded and equipped Rural Fire Service in NSW. Or, 2. A new stadium in Sydney?

You can let the government know your preference at willoughby@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Recently I have been compelled to find reasonable, alternate accommodation in the Nelson Bay area and have been horrified at the amount of rent being demanded by either owners or agents for one or tow-bedroom units.

I was advised by one agent that I was unacceptable because my income did not meet their criteria that only 30 per cent of income be spent on rent.

Owners, think of offering permanent rentals at affordable prices to those on limited incomes instead of targeting holiday renters who damage your homes and annoy your long-suffering neighbours.

Also read: Letters to the Editor, January 30

Yes, it should have been done long ago - Ben Boyd Oval should have been considered when all the millions of dollars were, in my opinion, wasted at 'club Medowie'.

Just as damning to me is the amounts going to Lakeside because that's where our boom-time Section 94 funds went - leaving East Ward yet again out in the cold.

Peanuts spent here. Tomaree Sports Complex gets $100,000 and Boyd Oval upgrade gets $850,000. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Where are you East Ward Councillors?

Now we have Foreshore Drive closed for six weeks to do half a job. The culvert is not going to be replaced, only maintained.

I am just disgusted at how East Ward is being completely done over. The Foreshore Drive fixing has been on the council list from the 2014-15 year and only now something is happening - but it's still going to be unsafe as the pinch point will still be there.

This road gets used by thousands each day. All the attention seems to be on other roads in the west that have a handful of users each day. Where is the justice?

Add to that, Conroy Park continues to fall into the ocean. Not even sandbags to help.

Not happy.

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