Andrew von Dadelszen assures us (The Weekend Sun, December 4) rising sea levels are not a threat because there has been little sea level rise in Tauranga over 42 years.

Apparently the evidence of melting glaciers and sea ice, a global temperature increase of one degree, and increasing rates and intensity of natural disasters are not good enough for Andrew.

The reality is climate change and its predicted consequences are happening. There is some lag because the planet is a big place, but personal responsibility as advocated by Andrew is not a solution.

It is councils that approved, and continue to approve, subdivision on low-lying land. Those same debt-laden councils will bear the brunt of the court cases and costs as houses go under and insurers walk away.

National government has its head in the sand and continues to use the tried and failed tobacco company gambit to protect the status quo (the evidence is still unclear). The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is realistic. Nine thousand houses are at immediate risk, including 1,000 in Tauranga. Councils must heed that warning. It is irresponsible to argue otherwise.

Dr Ian G McLean, Tauranga City.