If you take a core sample of a tree, you can identify periods of drought (narrow growth rings), periods of high rainfall (wider growth rings) and some components of the atmosphere at the time of each growth spurt.   

This process known as dendoclimatology, can identify climatic conditions with some degree of accuracy over the last 200 years.

Since the 1950s ice cores of ever increasing depths have been drilled in Antarctica and other sites.   

These ice cores contain minute air bubbles that are trapped in place when snow falls rapidly.   

These air bubbles can be examined to determine what greenhouse gasses were present going back over the last 10,000 years.   

This is a simplified version of the exciting branches of climate sciences.

I'm sorry Robert Bom, (North West Star letters November 3) the science is in and is irrefutable.

Alexander Pope, writing "An Essay on Criticism" in 1709, must have had climate change deniers in mind when he wrote "A little learning is a dangerous thing".  

George Harley 

Mount Isa

This Sunday for Remembrance Day we’ll be standing alongside Australians for a minute of silence to recognise and honour those who have served. 

We encourage all Australians to get behind the #1MS campaign, led by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and share who they will be thinking about for the minute’s silence held at 11am on November 11. 

Let’s band together to honour our veterans and mark this significant milestone – a centenary of the First World War Armistice.

For us, this day is also a time to reflect on all veterans and how we can best support them and their families for years to come.

At Mates4Mates we provide support and rehabilitation services to current and ex-serving Defence Force members who are wounded, injured or ill, and their families.

We know that many veterans face challenges as they transition to civilian life, and long into the future, so it’s imperative they have access to support in times of need.  

Current or ex-serving Defence members, and their families, can phone 1300 4 MATES for confidential support or information about our services.

Alternatively, reach out to Open Arms on 1800 001 046 for 24/7 counselling or Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support and suicide prevention.

Troy Watson,

CEO, Mates4Mates

Irrigation customers will pick up the bill for the state’s dam safety and flood mitigation costs through price increases on water if the Palaszczuk Labor Government gets its way in the Queensland Competition Authority review.

The inclusion of dam safety and flood mitigation costs in the referral notice to the QCA for its review of irrigation water pricing will have significant implications for Queensland farmers.

The LNP is extremely concerned that Annastacia Palaszczuk has opened the door to significant water price increases.

Early estimates show that given the significant dam safety costs in the pipeline for regional irrigation schemes, some price increases will put in jeopardy the future of irrigation in certain regions.

The LNP is calling on Labor to rule out passing on these costs.

Whether it’s creating barriers to water access through high electricity and water costs or just removing the water altogether, Labor’s agenda hurts regional Queensland.

Dale Last

LNP Shadow Natural Resources Minister