Finally, confirmation of what was inevitable. Of course it is good that the PM will be there, but that he has been dragged there is an indictment of his and National’s real views on climate change and a terrible look for a country that prides itself on its green credentials. Not to mention going there with a deeply flawed ETS and an emissions reduction target that makes the phrase “ambitious for New Zealand” a sick joke.
Archive for the 'Climate Change' Category
Key Government: All Map, No Compass
November 30th, 2009If I was a betting man (which in fairness I am at the races from time to time) I would put my money on John Key going to Copenhagen. As Audrey Young points out
Attendance of leaders has become a matter of symbolism, a symbol of commitment to a positive outcome. Key looks like that is not important to him.
But that will be the only reason he goes. Not because he believes that the world desperately needs to come together to address a major environmental issue, or that for the future of New Zealand and our region we desperately need to be part of a positive solution. Goodness, earlier in the week Murray McCully was complaining about climate change taking too much time at CHOGM. Earth to Murray, its kinda the biggest show in town right now.
My prediction is that Steven Joyce will tell Key the optics look bad, and he had better get over there. I am sorry to sound so cynical but this is a bit of a pattern.
Today John Key has dismissed the 2025 taskforce report, in part on the basis that National needs to keep its promises to the electorate on keeping Labour programmes such as Working for Families and Interest Free Student Loans. Great, but we all know what Key and National actually think of those programmes- “communism by stealth” anyone? Its not that Key actually believes this is socially responsible policy, he’s just stuck with it.
Returning to Copenhagen the risk for New Zealand is that all this naked pragmitism is going to be seen as just that. Again to quote Audrey Young
No one will give Key credit for parachuting in for a photo-op once others have done the hard work
Therein lies the problem for New Zealand. Beyond any straight environmental motives, from an economic point of view being dragged kicking and screaming to Copenhagen is a terrible look for an isolated trading nation that has prided (and marketed) itself on its clean green image. Its probably already too late on that score.
I accept that John Key’s pragmatism is playing well with New Zealanders at the moment. Its all very well having good political anntennae, but the long term future of New Zealand suffers if you don’t have a plan as to where you are going. All map, no compass is a very bad recipe for New Zealand.
Another good reason to live in Wellington
November 28th, 2009The Wellington City Council is beginning work on how to encourage the uptake of electric cars. Wellingtonians are already among the most sustainable transport users in NZ, with more people walking or taking public transport to work than any other city in New Zealand. There is a long way to go here, but this is a positive step to a more sustainable future.
Phil Goff’s Speech
November 27th, 2009A lot of media comment today on Phil’s speech to Grey Power in Palmerston North. Some of it does not bear much relation to the actual content. It is vital that we can have a mature debate about difficult and challenging issues, and the media have an important role to play in that. This does not mean agreeing with every word, just that it is reported fairly. Please do follow the link above, have a read for yourself and make up your own mind.
For an example have a look at Gordon Campbell’s take on the speech. He does not agree with all of it, but he debates the substance. A sample
The one area where Goff’s speech did hit home cleanly was over the failure of the ETS deal to meet the environmental challenge. The rewards for big polluters, Maori and pakeha, are indefensible. So however is the response that calls Goff’s speech an instance of ‘playing the race card.’ Unlike Don Brash at Orewa, this speech dealt with specific and substantive issues – and if its faults are also substantive, they should be attacked on those terms.
After all, if the Maori Party are going to become the kingmakers in future New Zealand elections, they – and we- are going to have to learn how to debate their shortcomings without being called racists for doing so. The fact racists will undoubtedly prey on such criticism is not a reason for remaining silent, or for giving the Maori Party a free pass.
The real cost of the ETS
November 16th, 2009Charles may want to do a full post on this later, but it is worth noting that Treasury’s estimate of the cost of the ETS to taxpayers has doubled. To quote from the Dom Post story
The Government’s plans to combat climate change will add $110 billion more than expected to New Zealand’s debt, a report out this morning has revealed.
The select committee report into National’s proposals to change the Emissions Trading Scheme says Treasury now estimated that proposals to allow much higher allocations of free carbon credits to big polluters would increase government debt by 13-17 per cent of gross domestic product by 2050.
That was about twice the 6 to 8 per cent of gdp that had previously been advised to the Cabinet.
As Phil Goff has pointed out that is like a $92,000 burden for each New Zealand family to pay for their plan. What is more the stuff up over the cost has typified what has been a shambolic and fundamentally anti-democratic process followed by National in rushing the ETS bill through. We will all pay for the botched process, literally.
