Your say: week beginning October 12

From the Editors

Notes from The Conversation newsroom

Every day, we publish a selection of your emails in our newsletter. We’d love to hear from you, you can email us at yoursay@theconversation.edu.au.

Monday October 12

“In response to the article ‘Our research found a new reason to keep teachers happy – it’s linked to how well students do’, my experience has shown that teachers who are more positively motivated in their role have students with more positive outcomes. However, rather than teacher wellbeing influencing student outcomes, should we not also acknowledge that engaged and successful students create teachers who are more confident and motivated themselves? As a teacher, I know my mental state can fluctuate throughout the day. Classes where students are engaged, academically driven, and/or treat me with respect are more motivating and uplifting than classes where students are disrespectful, unmotivated, and refuse to engage in the work. We need to have a larger conversation about the role that students play in creating a positive work environment for teachers.”

Naomi Watson

Tuesday October 13

“In your article ’Pacific climate voices were clear and strong this week – and we’re listening’, it is so good to hear there is real concern for Pacific Island people. I would like to know strategies for keeping temperature down in a divided consumer world. Thank you for the hope.”

Leila McClelland

“Regarding your article ‘Hoping for a ‘new normal’ climate is pointless. We must learn to adapt’: it seems that the main culprit of our environmental woes, including climate change, is our pursuit of economic growth. I think just switching to renewables will not be sufficient to curb the trajectory to higher temperatures, let alone the damage being done to our biodiversity, water resources etc. There needs to be a fundamental rethink. Countries like the United States and Australia with huge environmental footprints need to reduce their consumption to allow developing nations to reach a sustainable level. The West should be helping the other countries not only switch to renewables, but also allow them to develop without overstretching Earth’s resources. Too much to ask? No doubt, but without this balancing act, I’m pretty pessimistic about our future.”