NZ: Climate change news
IN DECEMBER the world will debate the sequel to the 1991 Kyoto protocol on climate change. A current assesment of the science requires an 80-90% cut in Western emissions by 2050 beginning with intermediate targets for 2020 to avoid 2 degrees of global warming.
The United Kingdom has already outlined an energy revolution aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 34% by 2020 and set a course for an 80% cut by 2050. This is before the Copenhagen conference which may demand stricter targets still (see www.350.org).
With its economy based on agricultural exports and long-haul tourism, New Zealand is sensitive to oil price increases and additional costs on transport through emissions trading or direct taxation.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, therefore, the news coverage tends to headline the negative:
The Press reportsKiwis might lose $60 a week if New Zealand opts for a tough approach to greenhouse gas emissions.
The "Emissions target is too expensive," claims The Herald, carrying quotes from the Climate Change Minister, Nick Smith.
Attempting to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020 would cause too much economic hardship.
While using a similar headline to The Press,The Dominion Post makes the point that NZ's failure to keep in touch with international efforts may cause more harm than good.
There are already signs that countries will use the failure of their competitors to make meaningful cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions as a trade barrier the United States may impose tariffs on goods from countries that don't match its own climate change efforts.
Meanwhile comedian Rhys Darby, from Flight of the Conchords, has released a video in support of the Greenpeace Sign On campaign.
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