The courage of their convictions

Written By: - Date published: 11:21 am, February 26th, 2012 - 68 comments
Categories: activism, Conservation, Mining - Tags: , , ,

While most of us talk about “saving the world” some people act.

I have a lot of respect for the Greenpeace activists, including headline-woman Lucy Lawless, who are occupying a Shell Oil drilling ship, to prevent its departure to start drilling operations in the Arctic.

Now in their third day of occupation atop a high tower, and attracting international attention, the six remaining activists are hanging on in dangerous and difficult conditions.

They planned their protest carefully so as not to endanger others, or interfere with the operation of the ship. But they are breaking the law, and thus all willingly risking the legal consequences (and possible career damage etc).

Of course many from the right wing of politics will condemn them as law breakers. But what is a sane person to do when the law is an ass, and the world has gone mad? In my opinion the actions of these protestors are fully justified, entirely rational, and very very brave. From the guilty comfort of my ergonomic chair and the safety of my keyboard, I salute you all.

68 comments on “The courage of their convictions ”

  1. Anne 1

    Hear, hear… I salute their bravery.

    These are the kind of people whose names will be writ large in the history books.

  2. ianmac 2

    Very true. Courage of convictions and action to go with it. Of course the breaking of law (lawless?) can be a problem. We make laws to protect people and property – don’t we? And breaking laws is always wrong – isn’t it? Remember that the main reason that National Standards were supported by many seemed to be that to not do as the Government said, was breaking the law and lawbreakers should be sacked. Yes?
    In both cases the protests seem to be legitimate. When Authorities appear to ignore concerns (Asset Sales, Crafar Farms, Arctic drilling, National Standards) then the brave must be supported. Go Lucy, lawless or not!

  3. fender 3

    Apparently if Shell have a stuff-up and their oil well starts pumping oil into the Arctic sea just prior to a northern winter theres nothing they can do until the following summer. This means billions of crude could be leaking for months without anything being done to stop it. This would be the real crime and the damage would be far worse than anything we have seen before.

  4. Let the boat sail today as planned with them on board – that’s dedication.
    Has the Welsh Greenman Gareth Hughes joined them yet ? – he said he would today.

  5. Wayne 5

    Firstly why is drilling in the Artic necessarily bad?

    Secondly it has nothing to do with courage, but everything to do with attention seeking by rich Westerners with nothing else to do with their time.

    Most people are working hard to barely make ends meet.

    It is only people with enough financial security, who have time for such self-indulgent nonsense.

    • ron 5.1

      That’s one of the funniest things I ever read this week, Wayne. You’re seriously asking why there ,might be concerns about drilling in the Arctic? I’ll let you look that one up.
      And you’re dismissing the protest because the people protesting have the resources to protest. I agree. I watched a bunch of middle class people wasting their time indulging themselves last night – it was disgusting. Most people are struggling to make ends meet and yet here were all these people in a big stadium wasting their time. The only reason they were there is because they could afford to be self indulgent and waste their time. And as for the players! What a joke. Why weren’t they doing something useful? Like…I dunno…..working to create a safer, more sustainable planet…..?
      Are you suggesting that the only people who should be allowed to protest are poor people who can’t afford to protest? Or are you suggesting that no-one should protest anything?

      • Macro 5.1.1

        He can’t read ron.
        Not even the comment above his own….

        • McFlock 5.1.1.1

          Be fair – it might not have been posted when he started the comment.
          I wouldn’t be surprised if it took him 45mins to look up “self indulgent”.

  6. Wayne 6

    I say the authorities should indulge these protesters wish to be seen as brave, and chase them off the ship with police dogs and batons. Crack their fucking heads.

    • felix 6.1

      Wayne, I wish to apologise.

      In previous threads I’ve called you a racist, a f@cist, a cultural imperialist, a philistine, a homophobe, a hateful little fuck, a totalitarian, an authoritarian, and a number of other unkind things.

      The more you comment here, the more I see that you’re not like that at all.

    • fender 6.2

      You are a total prick Wayneker. You are everything Felix says you are and more.
      Why don’t you get back on your mountain bike and practice your back-flips off the Kelburn Viaduct, and don’t bother wearing a crash helmet as your brain couldn’t become any more damaged than it already is.

    • Macro 6.3

      gezz I never knew dogs were so clever!
      They can abseil an all!
      What an idiot!

      • Wayne 6.3.1

        whoops!

        Maybe then take the tops of their heads off with a 7.62x51mm M40 sniper’s rifle?

        See how long they can continue their protest with half their heads missing. If they can manage that, all power to em!

        God…these types of people make me sick.

        [lprent: Banned permanently. Giving space to such an idiot is making me feel sick. Another fucking gutless armchair warrior without as much intelligence as a rabid dog, and no understanding of what makes a democracy work. Shooting protesters? ]

        [Thanks Lynn. As mentioned before I’ve been tempted to ban this guy repeatedly for some weeks now; instead I fell back on the ‘givem enuff rope’ principle, however sickening it got. In one sense he rather fascinated me. He isn’t a troll in the usual sense, nor is he uneducated or an ‘idiot’.

        Usually trolls know they are being idiots; Wayne on the other hand will make an apparently outrageous statement… and then proceed to defend himself with considerable depth and some skill. He really believes in what he says.

        I took the trouble of showing some of Wayne’s contributiuons to a Chinese colleague of mine last week; her response came in two parts.. one was yes he is almost surely a Chinese national, and two the country is full of these noxious Little Emperors. She thought it was not so much the effect of being a single child, but a whole generation of young men brought up with an aggressively privileged outlook on life. Then she quietly said… “Why do you think I live in this country, so far from my parents?”….RedLogix]

  7. Carol 7

    And this was tweeted by Lawless today:

    http://twitter.com/#!/RealLucyLawless

    RadioNZ has informed us that a Petrobras tanker ran aground off Antarctica 12/11. Cover-up. Follow this story. @GreenpeaceNZ #SaveTheArctic

    And there are also updates on the occupation being tweeted here:

    http://twitter.com/#!/GreenpeaceNZ

  8. grumpy 8

    Sea Shepherd are brave, these are just attention seeking morons chasing a lost cause. Faded TV stars looking for relevance.

    • infused 8.1

      Pretty much. Altho her titties are nice in Spartacus.

      Reading her twitter I am shacking my head. What rubbish.

      • seeker 8.1.1

        infused- you should be very ashamed of this tacky, debased comment about a very courageous and principled mother.

        • grumpy 8.1.1.1

          Nah, nothing she has done (especially Sparticus) has led me to believe she is anything other than an airhead who gets her top off.
          Who next??? Paris Hilton, Britney Spears???????

          • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1.1

            Paris Hilton has already been seen climbing atop a pole.

          • Carol 8.1.1.1.2

            Actually, Lawless is not a great actress, but I don’t believe she is an airhead. She’s OK in certain acting parts, but she can be quite sharp in interviews. She may turn out to be better in the political arena than as an actor.

            PS: most Hollywood actresses, starlets, airheads and minor celebrities, would make a big effort to avoid being in the public eye in a hard hat and overall, without all the plastic make-up, designer clothes etc., and unable to shower for a few days on end.

            • infused 8.1.1.1.2.1

              She is a good actor. She is great in Spartacus. One of the best shows I’ve seen since Boardwalk Empire.

              It was some just tongue in cheek. Don’t stress guys.

    • fender 8.2

      Yeah looking for relevance grumpy….relevance for the planet to sustain humans in the future, despite the irrelevance of many of those very humans e.g: grumpy, infused (jerking off over Lucys chest), wayne (good riddance wayneker) gosman et al

  9. I have plenty of respect for Lucy Lawless as an actress but none for getting on a ship, and hiding behind slogans. It’s sad she is so dedicated but she doesn’t realise she’s a skirt to hide behind and is probably being used by others the visibility her fame and money brings to the political cause.

    • Macro 9.1

      Talkabout absolute nonsense! Yes LL’s presence gets media attention both in NZ and around the world.. But she stands up for what she knows is right, and has done so for some years now.
      This protest is not about slogans, it’s about drawing attention to the environmental dangers of oil exploration in the Arctic, and the consequences to global warming of trying to continue with business as usual.

    • muzza 9.2

      Or maybe she actually gives a fuck, and understands that her “being well known” will gain more peoples attention, than if she were a nobody…..sad as that might be, given the importance of the cause/message I wouls say that more attention would be preferred to less!

      Lets get a piece going about who on the boards actually actively participates somehow other than blog…

      Off you go Monique!

      • Colonial Viper 9.2.1

        Hey don’t grumble, Monique is doing her bit by providing “a skirt” for Peter Dunne and Pete George to hide behind!

  10. Good on you Lucy, I admire your courage.

    BUT, even if every human left the planet tonight, the environment will still hit temperatures that will lead to the extinction of all manuals. We are locked into runaway GW now, peak oil is just the icing on the cake, go home and relax, it is all to little to late, the human experiment is just about over, and in several million years time, life will carry on, without us.

    Watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOMWzjrRiBg An animated documentary about resource depletion & the impossibility of infinite growth on a finite planet…. or why KiwiSaver will never payout, at least to people under 55 😉

    Greenpeace like the green party are part of the problem
    watch this to understand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hx-G1uhRqA even Capitan Paul Watson agrees

    • McFlock 10.1

      even if every human left the planet tonight, the environment will still hit temperatures that will lead to the extinction of all manuals.

       
      at least the automatics will be okay, then. I was worried for a moment.

      • grumpy 10.1.1

        Well spotted McFlock. However, it’s a bit obvious how desperate the AGW flat earthers are getting now their “science” is being blown apart – from both sides…..

        • McFlock 10.1.1.1

          “blown apart”? In your dreams.
           
          I just disagree with the concept of futility of action.

          • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1.1

            Its the futility of inaction which is going to get us. Mind you, I dont think climate change is the problem our civilisation faces. That’s 100 years down the track. Significant energy depletion is a mere 5-10 years away, and the early crests of it are already buffetting us.

        • Robert Atack 10.1.1.2

          Not that I should be replying to a non person, but just for the record I bet the ten year old kid who spotted the kings naked butt, and spoke up about it, couldn’t spell to well?
          But good laugh anyway )
          McFlock
          Bailing steerage with a thimble wouldn’t be a futile action to you?
          We are passed the point of no return, the ice berg is in the rear view mirror, you can dream as much as you like about ‘positive action’ it doesn’t matter, the only thing you can do is discourage any new children, and that is not to make the environment better, or even slow what is under way, it will just mean every child NOT born is one that will not suffer what is already in action, and that is as positive as I can be. Hence my middle name.
          Even the occupy movement was about just getting a bigger cut of the pie, which is in fact the planet.
          So do whatever cranks your handle, but don’t fool yourself that it will change a bloody thing.

          • McFlock 10.1.1.2.1

            Meh.
             
            In that case I might as well grab a laugh where I can – you’re the one who suggested we should be relaxed about it!
              
            Interesting philosophical point about hether not living is better than living in the next 70 years. Should we all just suicide now?

            • Grumpy 10.1.1.2.1.1

              The more I think about it, Tamar Iti had the right idea…….

            • Robert Atack 10.1.1.2.1.2

              70? more like 25years )
              http://www.youtube.com/user/oilcrash1#p/a/f/0/yOq2A_SGTYA
              http://www.youtube.com/user/oilcrash1#p/a/f/1/q4Czw3Y_ARE

              Suicide, will only reduce personal suffering, many many people will choose this option though. Better to top yourself than be stored for food … ala The Road.
              It is not my fault in anyway, I do not have children, as much good luck as good management.All I’m doing is pointing out the facts, you can get as insulting and cry baby as you like, throw as many tantrums as you like, it still doesn’t change a thing, ‘we’ didn’t deal with reality when it might have done some good, so now it is reality’s turn to deal with us.
              If you have children then bad luck, but again it is not my fault, if you have children under 10 then I guess if I had done a better job maybe I could have saved you some heartache, but alas I was just one broken arssed nut job back then.
              http://oilcrash.com/articles/struggle.htm

              • McFlock

                tantrums? I just made a joke based on a typo. And really, if it’s all futile and we’re all dead within 25 years, who gives a shit whether we go there laughing or just constantly saying “but we’re all doomed, you know”.
                       
                I just think the real terror of existence is turning up to a dinner party to find you at the table.  

                • Draco T Bastard

                  And really, if it’s all futile and we’re all dead within 25 years, who gives a shit whether we go there laughing or just constantly saying “but we’re all doomed, you know”.

                  The most important thing now is to pass along how we screwed up and how some people didn’t want to listen.

                  • McFlock

                    But if Robert’s right, there’s nobody to pass it on to.
                    What are we going to do- etch a message for aliens or intelligent dinosaurs “it wasn’t me”?
                         
                    And if we go to Mad Max, they won’t give a shit. They’ll have other things to worry about.
                          
                     

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Very doubtful that the population of the planet will fall under 1.5B or maybe 2.0B under all but the very worst case scenarios. Humans are pretty damn good at surviving.

                    • McFlock

                      I tend to agree, but think that’s probably a low count. But better than zero.

                • Sorry McF not talking about your manual comment as a ‘tantrum’ I’m talking about things like protesting, the ‘Arab spring’, people going out on strike for better conditions, the occupy movement, etc,
                  Thinks are fast going to crap, that is what post peak oil looks like, it will only get worse, it has to.
                  Lets pretend that ‘we’ could reverse what is in motion, to even come close to changing what is in motion we would need something like 80% unemployment, no personal cars, no flying, no luxury cruses, and a moratorium on new children.
                  Now I know no one is going to go along with voluntary destitution, Key and co are heading in the right direction as far as slowing down the insane breeding numbers in NZ, but it is just not enough.
                  And when I started trying to wake up the general dumb public 12 years ago, I thought all I needed to do was show people the facts, alas people just did not want to know, and it was an utter waste of $25,000+ and thousands of hours of effort.
                  Just for fun I would love to hear what you have been up to over the past decade, and what you plane to do to inform people?
                  This was my attempt http://oilcrash.com/articles/struggle.htm now you do better. .

                  • McFlock

                    What have I been up to in the last ten years? Getting drunk, smoking, and working on safety issues in my local community, among other things.

                    I think what we’re seeing now aren’t so much the effects of peak oil (although it’s helped with food prices) as the transition from global dominance of one power into the commercial and military dominance of another power.

                    But there will probably be water wars in the next twenty years. Personally I’m wondering if Israel will take a bit more of Syria and Lebanon in the period after Assad tumbling (not 100% that he will fall, but it will jiggle the board in interesting ways if he does).

                    I think NZ will miss most of the interesting times in the short (decades) period, though. We’re nice and far away, with enough places in between us and anyone else that other powers will step in before the imperialist armies get here.

                    It’s the AGW and ocean acidification that have potential to screw us.

                    $25k? Should have spent it on whiskey.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      I think what we’re seeing now aren’t so much the effects of peak oil (although it’s helped with food prices) as the transition from global dominance of one power into the commercial and military dominance of another power.

                      And that is a power transition driven by many factors, including energy prices. Higher fuel costs is effectively a tax on every dollar of GDP that the productive economy produces.

                      I’d also argue that for the US, Iraq and Libya were projects partly driven by peak oil (a lack of cheaper easier oil reserves); and the massive cost and logistical complexity of the Afghanistan war is absolutely to do with fuel supply shortages.

                      You can see the US military urgently moving to low fuel foot print technologies, surgical drone strikes instead of massive strategic bombers and this is one of the driving motivations. Interestingly, the US military is way ahead on peak oil thinking. They have to be since an armored division can chug down a million litres of fuel a month without blinking.

                    • McFlock

                      Fuel costs hit China, too. Not as badly because of the trade surplus with the US, but still there.
                          
                      Libya and Iraq definitely involved oil, but I think more as cash for the corporate interests than oil scarcity per se. Afghanistan was largely an afterthought operation, as indicated by the priority given it compared with Iraq by the Bush presidency.
                         
                      Drones are popular because they’re cheap and hard to detect, compared with a B52. That’s why they’re especially useful in precision operations and going across borders – the old “whoops, we accidentally lost contact, fucking microsoft” excuse, with no Francis Gary powers to contradict you.
                       
                      They still used the full spectrum of aircraft. And they still run tanks with jet engines.
                       

      • felix 10.1.2

        It’s always polite to leave a manual in the glove box for the next species who gets to drive your planet.

        Although you’d expect them to know the basics like checking the oil and keeping an eye on the temperature.

  11. Drakula 11

    I love Lucy!!! Good on you, may a thousand fortunes fall on you, you are showing the world what a dangerous and stupid risk these oil companies are prepared to take for the sake of the old retrograde technology and the almighty dollar!!!!

  12. james 111 12

    Would be really great if the ship weighs anchor and steams off with them up the mast all the way to Alaska.
    Then make them fly back at their own cost after slapping them with a very hefty fine for tresspass absolute muppets, not getting the media exposure they want all going a bit pear shape really

    • Galeandra 12.1

      Still looking for some strictly biological satisfaction then, James? A bit of really visceral hate– better than sex, eh?

  13. Gosman 13

    It be interesting to see a list of the laws that people here deem confortable with breaking. I suspect it would fit nicely with their ideological bias. I presume it wouldn’t include tax evasion or people refusing to follow regulations regarding their private property.

    The trouble is if you decide which laws to follow and which to ignore you open yourself up for a world of unintended consequences.

    I have no problem with lawful protests but if you disagree with a law work to get it changed to something you would prefer. That is after all what democracy is all about.

    • McFlock 13.1

      The sound of a tool who’s “just following orders”

    • Pascal's bookie 13.2

      Gossy, civil disobedience is a profoundly democratic act, and one that at heart relies quite precisely on a deep respect for the rule of law.

      the point you seem to miss is that people engaging in civil disobedience are not asking to be able to ‘do whatever they want’. Nor are they saying that ‘the law shouldn’t apply to me’.

      The main thing they doing is saying ‘arrest me, and see how it works out for you, politically speaking’.

      They may or may not be wise in such a request. That goes without saying. But id sdoesn’t change the fact that what they are doing is democratic in nature. they are throwing themselves against the state, and seeing if the demos will stand with, or against, them. You can’t get much more democratic than that.

      ‘Do as you’re told’, isn’t actually a very democratic way of going about protest.

    • fender 13.3

      Yes you are so right Gosman;
      It would be far better to donate large sums of cash to the Nact cause in order to change the laws, how silly are these protesters don’t they know the appropriate RWNJ method of change(?).

  14. I’m not saying it’s a good idea to frig around in the Arctic. I am saying if you are going to enter politics make sure you’re not being pimped out for no real gain.

    http://nowoccupy.blogspot.com/2012/02/strange-men-take-advantage-of-lawless.html

  15. grumpy 15

    I understand the boat is moving now – probably to refuel. Further, that if they stay on the boat after it sails, the offence is piracy.

    She will be arrested and we can only wait to see if the resulting charges are enough to interfere with her immigration status in the US. Might be a career ending protest.

    Well done to the slogan spouting air head.

  16. Bored 16

    Lucy’s presence has been worth the media cover for her cause….now its time to get off the boat and leave.

    In case anybody is unaware that I am decidedly sympathetic with the message of the protesters here is the downside. Lucy will no doubt travel to Auckland across bitumen roads in a petroleum guzzling vehicle which has a few hundred barrels of embedded oil energy contained in its manufacture. And when she makes her next Hollywood movie its off on a petroleum product consuming aeroplane.

    Nice protest but the issue is so much greater than saving the Arctic or a few whales. Its systemic, and whilst awareness gets raised it offers the general public (you and I with our petroleum based lifestyle) nothing but warm fuzzies.

  17. Kevin 17

    Ms Lawless is now the poster girl for Greenpeace and no doubt we will hear more from her in the future.
    The issue which she is campaigning against, oil exploration in the Arctic Circle, has been under way for many years:
    http://en.mercopress.com/2011/08/31/exxon-clinches-arctic-oil-exploration-deal-with-a-russian-government-company
    http://www.industryweek.com/articles/study_urges_canada_to_suspend_arctic_oil_exploration_due_to_disaster_risk_25563.aspx
    Therefore Lucy’s protest is relatively late to the issue.

  18. johnm 18

    Good on Lucy Lawless! Though for a ageing 60s person like me it seems all too late.Whatever happens climate change will process on, I think we need to predict and adapt including voluntary population reduction. However:

    Really great article about these issues for those who can’t be bothered to worry about them too much!Only limited time to consider. Shows the position we are now in as a global civilisation.

    “climate change, Peak energy & resources” by Alice Friedemann

    “Until a miracle happens, scientists and some enlightened policy makers are trying to extend the age of oil, reduce greenhouse gases, and so on. But with the downside of Hubbert’s curve so close, and the financial system liable to crash again soon given the debt and lack of reforms, I don’t know how long anyone can stretch things out.”

    Refer link:http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2012-02-25/peak-energy-resources-climate-change-and-preservation-knowledge

    “The 1% can’t justify their wealth or the current economic system once the pie stops expanding and starts to shrink. The financial crisis will be a handy way to explain why people are getting poorer on the down side of peak oil too, delaying panic perhaps.
    Other evidence that politicians know how serious the situation is, but aren’t saying anything, are Congressman Roscoe Bartlett’s youtube videos (Urban Danger). He’s the Chairman of the peak oil caucus in the House of Representatives, and he’s saying “get out of dodge” to those in the know. He’s educated all of the representatives in the House, but he says that peak oil “won’t be on their front burner until there’s an oil shock”.

    Fossil fuel age – fossil energy based civilisation – by product: emissions and climate change with temporary exponential growth now at an end plus environmental destruction – hubbert downside = dramatic decline of the previous. Very different World heading our way! Sorry if that’s scary! Really!

  19. Conway Captain 19

    Once again we have the hypocritical attention seeking Z lister star protesting about oil drilling.

    This is a person building a huge mansion in Orakei using cranes, concrete etc, flies around the world making movies that use a lot of natural resources, drives bug flash cars and then prptests about oil drilling.

    Wears synthetic fibres, natural fibres that have been grown using oil based fertilisrers etc and then grand stands.

    • felix 19.1

      I drive a car.

      Does that mean I’m not allowed to complain about the oil industry? What about the motor industry?

      If I drive on roads, am I not allowed to complain about the government?

      Please explain the rules, I’m finding them confusing.

    • fender 19.2

      ey ey captain, cant protest these things if you dont live a stoneage existence.

      get real captain con way

  20. johnm 20

    Climate Change is happening and if we burn the rest of the Oil and Coal Climate Hellish disruption at the least can be expected.

    “Why Britain could face years of freezing winters because of the dramatic decline in Arctic sea ice
    There is less Arctic sea ice now than there has been at any time in the past 1,450 years.

    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2107255/Why-Britain-face-years-freezing-winters-dramatic-decline-Arctic-sea-ice.html#ixzz1ncRUyouO

    “Imagine the Arctic as a (huge) domestic freezer with the thermostat keeping the freezer well below freezing. Now turn off the power (and probably add warmth from climate change). When frozen solid, the freezer would keep most of it’s cold in a small area……but now, as it warms, very cold water (and air) begins to spread out. In terms of your domestic freezer, there’s now a spreading puddle of melting ice on the floor. Makes sense therefore that the chilling effect will move away from the poles – albeit to a lesser degree as it comes across warmer climates to the south, giving us some quite nasty winters to come.”

    But if we go cold turkey on fossil fuels our ancient sunlight civilisation crumbles back to to an 18c energy diet without the small population of that time. We are darned if we do and darned if we don’t.

    When is the return of a AFewKnowTheTruth going to happen; he’s pretty clued up on all this?

  21. johnm 21

    Again showing Lucy Lawless and Greenpeace are right: Part of the devastation of fossil fueled climate change will be even bigger forest fires :

    “There Will Be Fire: The ‘Carbon Bomb’ ‘Waiting to Be Ignited’
    Scientist: With climate change fires will become more frequent, more intense and harder to stop.”

    refer link: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/02/27-2

    “I am not a religious person, but I do see this as punishment for stupidity and greed. We have dishonored God, which to me is the gift of the life-giving planet earth and the ability of people to act with intelligence and love. Sadly, as always, it is the innocent people and creatures who will suffer the most. To me, the most important thing we can do is to cut down on fossil fuels IMMEDIATELY. That will mean confronting the corporations who are so heavily invested in this and drastically revising what we think we need. I truly do not see any other path for the viability of most life on earth. ”

    To me, the most important thing we can do is to cut down on fossil fuels IMMEDIATELY. That will mean confronting the corporations who are so heavily invested in this and drastically revising what we think we need. I truly do not see any other path for the viability of most life on earth.

    The above is the point of the protest

  22. johnm 22

    Must be all Sci-Fi surely? Climate Change can’t really be that bad ,anyway it hasn’t happened yet.

    “Crossing the line as civilization implodes”

    “Humanity is putting its foot on the accelerator even though the world’s top scientists and governments have repeatedly explained we are headed over a cliff. The people who will suffer the most are people who have not contributed to this impending catastrophe — future generations and the poorest among us.

    This is such a colossally immoral and unethical act — collectively and in many cases individually — that most people, including the overwhelming majority of the so-called intelligentsia, simply choose to ignore it on a daily basis. That won’t save a livable climate, however, nor it will stop future generations from cursing our names.”

    Refer link:http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2012-02-27/crossing-line-civilization-implodes-heartland-institute-peter-gleick-and-andrew-r

    The issue is a bit more important than a charge of trumped up “Burglary” on an oil derrick.

    “Even the formerly reticent Lonnie Thompson explained why he and other climatologists are speaking out: “Virtually all of us are now convinced that global warming poses a clear and present danger to civilization.” He continues:

    That bold statement may seem like hyperbole, but there is now a very clear pattern in the scientific evidence documenting that the earth is warming, that warming is due largely to human activity, that warming is causing important changes in climate, and that rapid and potentially catastrophic changes in the near future are very possible. This pattern emerges not, as is so often suggested, simply from computer simulations, but from the weight and balance of the empirical evidence as well.”

  23. johnm 23

    James Hansen explains the grave consequences of not tackling Climate Change. To charge Lucy Lawless with burglary is a sign of the incredible petty mindedness even imbecility of our leaders.

    Link: http://www.commondreams.org/video/2012/03/07-0

    Hansen dramatically explains that due to the forcing of increasing co2 levels the Earth is picking up and retaining the energy equivalent of 4000 Hiroshima bombs every day 365 days a year. He also talks of positive feedback loops such as melting tundra and permafrost and ice sheet melt.

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  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
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    1 day ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
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    1 day ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
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    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
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    1 week ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
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    1 week ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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