Ahead of the curve on climate change

66 comments on “Ahead of the curve on climate change ”

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1. Matthew Hooton 1

   4 December 2012 at 11:27 am

   The graph you have posted suggests the effect of current pledges under the Kyoto protocol is tiny, to the extent of being almost entirely irrelevant. So I am struggling to see the relationship between the Kyoto protocol and the concerns you quote and express. To argue that the Kyoto protocol will have a material impact on reducing the risks the graph indicates, you would have to believe that someone other than (the largely service-based economies of) the EU and Australia (until its government changes next year) are going to sign up to an extension of the Kyoto protocol. I have seen no such evidence that is likely. (Of course, like the TPP, the negotiating text at the Doha talks is not public – that I can see anyway – so perhaps a whole lot of countries are planning to sign up that we don’t know about.)
   • Colonial Viper 1.1

     4 December 2012 at 11:37 am

     The graph you have posted suggests the effect of current pledges under the Kyoto protocol is tiny, to the extent of being almost entirely irrelevant.

     So you’re saying that NZ pulled out of Kyoto because the Government is advocating for something stronger than Kyoto?

     Because you clearly see that there is a serious climate change problem now well in progress.
     • Matthew Hooton 1.1.1

       4 December 2012 at 11:50 am

       NZ hasn’t pulled out of Kyoto. Like everyone except (service-economy) EU and (temporarily) Australia, it is not signing up to a Second Commitment Period.

       I’m not sure I would use “stronger” but “more effective” would describe the wider effort with China, US, India, Russia and Japan.
       • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1

         4 December 2012 at 11:56 am

         FFS the EU is not a “service economy”, how can they be a “service economy” when agriculture and agricultural subsidies are such a huge part of their budgets? And when Germany, the strongest economy in the EU, is a major global manufacturer?
         • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.1

           4 December 2012 at 12:06 pm

           It’s just Hooton getting the facts wrong again to try to prop up his delusional view of the world.
         • Matthew Hooton 1.1.1.1.2

           4 December 2012 at 12:06 pm

           According to wikipedia, “The services sector is by far the most important sector in the European Union, making up 69.4% of GDP, compared to the manufacturing industry with 28.4% of GDP and agriculture with only 2.3% of GDP.” (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_European_Union#Industries )

           I think you may be confusing the EU budget with EU GDP. It is true that about half the EU budget goes to agricultural subsidies (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budget_of_the_European_Union#Expenditure ) which only goes to show how horrendous those subsidies are, given half the budget goes to just 2.3% of the economy.
           • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1.2.1

             4 December 2012 at 12:14 pm

             Meh. The US economy is 77% services by GDP and Japan’s is 75% services by GDP.

             The EU’s 69.4% is lower than those two large economies. You singling the EU out as “services based” while ommitting that the US and Japan are even more so, is disingenuous.
             • Matthew Hooton …

               4 December 2012 at 12:41 pm

               The significance is that total manufacturing has remained far steadier in the EU since 1990, whereas in China it has increased massively and even in the US it has risen 175% since 1990. So the Kyoto system tends to favour the EU against those other countries, which is why the EU is so much keener on Kyoto than anyone else (I know, I know, it should be about saving the planet). I don’t have all the data (the UN site will) but this is a rough summary – http://investing.curiouscatblog.net/2010/06/28/manufacturing-output-as-a-percent-of-gdp-by-country/
       • tracey 1.1.1.2

         4 December 2012 at 12:37 pm

         Not signing up to a second committment period is effectively (if not literally) pulling out of Kyoto unless you kow of something the Government is planning to put in its place for NZ?
         • sweetd 1.1.1.2.1

           4 December 2012 at 5:43 pm

           Not all all. Its not signing up to the second period. We carried out our obligations to what we signed up to. End of.
   • Poission 1.2

     4 December 2012 at 11:42 am

     The KP would have little impact on radiative forcing ,as we in the increase in emissions from china since the GFC being 80% of the global increase.
   • r0b 1.3

     4 December 2012 at 11:47 am

     The graph you have posted suggests the effect of current pledges under the Kyoto protocol is tiny, to the extent of being almost entirely irrelevant

     Yes.

     The solution is not fewer Kyoto pledges. The solution is more Kyoto pledges. Or (even better) a much stronger and more effective mechanism.

     NZs actions weaken Kyoto when we should – as you so correctly point out – be trying to strengthen it by including more countries.

     So I’m not sure why you’re “struggling to see the relationship” between Kyoto and climate concerns, because your question contains its own answer.
     • Matthew Hooton 1.3.1

       4 December 2012 at 11:59 am

       Perhaps, but the fact is there are going to be fewer Kyoto pledges – Japan and Canada, for example, the 5th and 7th biggest emitters, were in CP1 but won’t be in CP2. Of large(ish) emitters, only Germany, the UK, Italy and (temporarily) Australia are in. In the case of Germany, it figures it will be a Kyoto winner because of the effect of economic collapse in the East after Kyoto’s base year of 1990 and the UK is also believes it will be a winner because of decline in its manufacturing after that date. So, yes, I see no relationship between Kyoto and climate concerns, because Kyoto, even when more countries were involved, was not going to achieve much at all, and now will certainly not achieve anything.

       (The counterfactual to this, is that NZ agrees to do CP2 and that inspires China, the US, India and Russia to sign up to the Kyoto system and for Japan and Canada to remain in. That is the case you have to make to argue that NZ signing up to CP2 would influence the graph Anthony has posted.)
       • r0b 1.3.1.1

         4 December 2012 at 12:17 pm

         NZ on its own has very little influence to inspire other countries.

         But “very little influence” is not “no influence”.

         What influence we have we are morally obligated to use for good – the good of the environment, the good of our children.

         In all these countries that aren’t in Kyoto there are shills like Matthew Hooton who are making the same arguments. It’s too hard. No one else is doing it. Our contribution won’t make any difference. Let’s not bother.

         Imagine if they all STFU and the countries of the world could get on with doing something together. We might even solve this problem, and leave a sustainable future for our kids.

         Yeah I know – what a bunch of childish idealistic claptrap. Instead let’s be smart, sophisticated, greedy, and let’s all burn together. Top of the world!
       • tracey 1.3.1.2

         4 December 2012 at 12:39 pm

         Matthew, are you suggesting national has pulled out because it’s not effective enough to make worthwhile?

         If you are saying this, then what plans do national have to replace it (we can do stuff in NZ without others doing stuff intheir countries).
         • Matthew Hooton 1.3.1.2.1

           4 December 2012 at 12:48 pm

           Yes – if China, US etc were in, and Japan and Canada staying in, then I am sure NZ would have signed up for CP2.

           In answer to your question, NZ has by far the world’s most comprehensive ETS (the EU one does not cover as much of its economy as our one does) and launched the Global Research Alliance (see http://www.globalresearchalliance.org ) the largest GHG-reduction science project I am aware of, based on the particular excellence of our agricultural science sector, and now involving more than 30 countries, more than the number of Annex 2 Kyoto countries (see http://unfccc.int/essential_background/convention/background/items/1348.php )
           • mike e 1.3.1.2.1.1

             4 December 2012 at 5:17 pm

             Matthew pootin over 40% of the US is signed up to Kyoto while the federal govt has its hands tied by the gerrymandering right , State by State the US is working inevitably towards a form of ETS.
             While our govt lets us subsidise polluters!Corporate communism you RWNJ’s call it!
             • Matthew Hooton …

               4 December 2012 at 7:11 pm

               I think you will find that efforts in the US to set up ETSs and introduce other GHG-mitigation schemes are entirely independent of the Kyoto protocol. Just as our ETS, the most comprehensive in the world, will continue whether or not we sign up for CP2.
         • MrSmith 1.3.1.2.2

           4 December 2012 at 1:06 pm

           Matthew is playing the same card his mates have been playing since taking office: 3 of spades “Dolittle and Delay”.

           http://scienceblogs.com/denialism/2007/05/04/denialists-deck-of-cards-the-3/
2. vto 2

   4 December 2012 at 12:06 pm

   .
   This government, and the thinking that supports them, places the economy above the environment as if the environment is a result of the economy.

   I know, absurd isn’t it. Strange times we live in.
   • Draco T Bastard 2.1

     4 December 2012 at 12:27 pm

     And a few people think that the economy is purely due to them. These few delusional people are called capitalists and bankers.
3. felix 3

   4 December 2012 at 12:44 pm

   I see Matthyawn is spending a bit of time here today. Odd, considering that he regularly derides this site in the media, only yesterday calling it “bizarre”.

   Guess this must be an issue close to his wallet.
   • geoff 3.1

     4 December 2012 at 12:59 pm

     Every time I, or anyone else, have asked him why he comments so much on this site he doesn’t answer the question.
     • Matthew Hooton 3.1.1

       4 December 2012 at 7:15 pm

       For fun. Mainly because of how funny the reactions are when I mention a few facts.
       • geoff 3.1.1.1

         4 December 2012 at 7:22 pm

         Aw, that’s a bit sad. I almost feel sorry for you.
       • felix 3.1.1.2

         4 December 2012 at 7:25 pm

         “when I mention a few facts”

         I eagerly await the day.

         I actually quite enjoy your regular daily presence here, for similar reasons.

         (As long as people are aware that you’re here as a paid lobbyist, that is.)
         • Matthew Hooton 3.1.1.2.1

           4 December 2012 at 7:55 pm

           But I am not here as a paid lobbyist. None of my company’s clients could give a fuck what anyone says here, sorry to tell you.
   • Red Devil 3.2

     4 December 2012 at 1:42 pm

     Perhaps Mr Hooten is advising Shearer, he posts here every week but never reads anything on left wing blog sites.
4. joe90 4

   4 December 2012 at 1:47 pm

   Tim’s introduced the Inhofe manoeuvre to his repertoire.

   “I was actually on your side of this issue when I was chairing that committee and I first heard about this. I thought it must be true until I found out what it cost.”

   http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/03/16/446008/inhofe-maddow-global-warming/
5. Steve Wrathall 5

   4 December 2012 at 2:46 pm

   Note how the idiot “scientist” you quote blames capitalism and free markets. Yet socialist countries use fossil fuels far more wastefully. Typical ignorance that exists within the warmist bubble of delusion.

   Anyway, shouldn’t you all be out feeding some oats to your ride home?
   • One Tāne Huna 5.1

     4 December 2012 at 2:51 pm

     “…blames…”

     No, he doesn’t. He cites them as examples of things which are not “forces of nature”.

     Comprehension fail. Blow harder.
   • vto 5.2

     4 December 2012 at 2:52 pm

     What on earth are you talking about Steve Wrathall? Why don’t you actually punch out a proper point for a change instead of silly one-liners that have about as much use as a schoolyard argument. You sound like John Tamihere.

     Say something useful
   • MikeD 5.3

     4 December 2012 at 3:17 pm

     Socialist countries? This is all Cuba’s fault somehow?
   • Neoleftie 5.4

     4 December 2012 at 5:07 pm

     Trouble is there is a whole swag of the electorate who has the same opinion based on little understanding i.e ignorance and lack any ability or will power to find evidence for or against their position.
     • MrSmith 5.4.1

       4 December 2012 at 6:48 pm

       Meet them all the time Neoleftie and it never ceases to amaze me how a lot of these people managed to make so much money and then manage to hang onto it, altho a few have been fleeced by the the finance companies lately.
       • Neoleftie 5.4.1.1

         4 December 2012 at 7:00 pm

         The amount of people including multi millionaires and business leaders I know won’t or can’t recognise or acknowledge the basic fact that Cullen under Helen Clark govt paid down debt levels whilst growing the economy is simply beyond understanding.
         I’m the very odd one out in my extended circle a neo socialist green way believer.
6. BLiP 6

   4 December 2012 at 7:16 pm

   .

   Meanwhile, since being elected to power in 2008, the John Key led National Ltd™ government:

   has been caught out repeatedly lying in the run up to and during the election campaign about its real intentions in relation to the environment

   celebrated the opening of the foreign-owned Pike River Coal Ltd mine on DOC land adjacent to the Paparoa National Park from which 1 megatonne of coal will be extracted per year for the next 20 years – Pike River Coal Ltd has announced that it has found additional coal in the national park

   cancelled a proposed efficiency standard (MEPS) on incandescent lightbulbs

   reversed a moratorium on building new gas/oil/coal power stations

   removed the bio fuel subsidy

   scrapped the scheme that would have penalised imported vehicles producing high emissions

   removed regulations for water efficient new housing by Order in Council

   renewed leases on sensitive high country farms which were meant to return to DOC

   reversed restrictions on the freeholding of vast swathes of land on the edge of the Southern Lakes

   arbitrarily excised 400 hectares from the brand new Oteake Conservation Park, including the most important and, ecologically, the rarest part of the new Park, the tussock and shrubland that went right down to the banks of the Manuherikia River, to enable future access to lignite

   said nothing to say in regard to the World Commission on Protected areas of IUCN’s severe criticism of its intention to investigate mineral resources and mining opportunities in protected conservation areas including our three UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Te Wahi Pounamu-South West New Zealand, Tongariro National Park and the Sub Antarctic Islands

   approved two prospecting permit applications lodged by Australian iron-ore giant Fortescue Metals Group subsidiary FMG Pacific lodged in June – areas covered by the two-year permits include an 8204-square-kilometre area of seabed adjoining the west coast from Cape Reinga to the Manukau Harbour and a 3798-square-kilometre prospecting area of land from Cape Reinga to the Kaipara Harbour including Ninety Mile Beach, the west side of the Aupouri Peninsula, Kaitaia and the Hokianga.

   approved an additional prospecting permit for Fortescue Metals in relation to 3568sq km right next door to the Kahurangi National Park where the Heaphy Track is

   was forced to release its Ministry of Economic Development (MED) report under the Official Information Act that proclaims “significant mineral potential” in the Fiordland, Kahurangi and Paparoa national parks – the report said the Waitutu area of the Fiordland National Park had sufficient petroleum reserves to be “worthy” of inclusion in a review of conservation land protected from mining

   secretly granted the minerals industry the right to veto proposed National Park boundaries and permission for any such vetoes to be kept confidential – in spite of recommendations from its own officials against any such a veto

   Minster of Conservation Tim Grosser, on 29 August 2009, called for caring New Zealanders to halt their “emotional hysteria” and recognise that conservation land should be mined for minerals and went on to say “Mining in a modern, technological way can have a negligible effect”

   Associate Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson, in an interview in “Canterbury Farming” (June 2010 issue now offline) rubished her own department, DOC, suggesting it was incapable of looking after the high country reserves and parks under its control

   gutted the home insulation scheme

   pulled $300 million out of public transport, walking and cycling schemes and added it to a pot of $2 billion to ‘upgrade’ state highways

   changed the law to provide billions of dollar in subsidies for polluters via the ETS casino which is now a target for scamming by international criminals

   begun a process of gutting the Resource Management Act to make it difficult/impossible for the public to lodge appeals against developers

   removed the ability of Auckland to introduce a fuel levy to fund planned public transport upgrades

   left electrification of the Auckland rail network up in the air without promised funding commitments and then came through with a dodgy loan scheme and then unilaterally reorganised the local government structure before finally setting about the privatisation-by-stealth model when busting KiwiRail.

   removed the programme to make Government Departments ‘carbon neutral’ and also began its first wave of public sector redundancies starting with the Ministry for the Environment which was responsible for the scheme.

   removed funding for public tv advertising on sustainability and energy efficiency

   pulled funding for small-town public litter bin recycling schemes

   displayed cabinet ministers expressing public support the bulldozing of Fiordland

   reduced Department of Conservation funding by $54 million over three years

   canceled funding for the internationally acclaimed ‘Enviroschools’ programme

   usurped the democratic role of local Councils of determining policies for their citizens by requiring the abandonment of the efficient and well-established tree protection rules for urban areas

   set about revamping Auckland governance in a way that is likely to greatly reduce the ‘Environmental Watchdog’ role of the the current Regional Council (since completely fucked it up with the SuperShitty)

   removed Auckland’s metropolitan limits and opened the gateway for unfettered urban sprawl

   defended internationally the importation of rain-forest-wrecking palm kernel and stood silent while Federated Farmers called Greenpeace “terrorists” and criminals.

   stood silent while Godfrey Bloom, a Member of the European Parliament and infamous Climate Change Denialist, publicly rejoiced in the 1985 bombing of the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior – who was doing so while standing on a dock next to the replacement vessel

   took a 0% emissions reduction target to Copenhagen. Yes, seriously, that isn’t a misprint – that was the lower bound of their negotiation platform – then missed the 01/02/10 deadline for commitment to action it had agreed to – meanwhile 55 of the 80 countries which attended did make the deadline

   secretly cancelled the internationally recognised scheme for the mandatory labelling of exotic woods to ensure the timber has not been taken from rain forests in direct contradiction of its own statements made at the 13th World Forestry Congress in Argentina

   supported the Department of Conservation’s decision to open up the pristine Cathedral Cove to an ice-cream franchise

   gave the Department of Conservsation $1.7 million to further develop commercial activities on DOC land and started an “off set” plan allowing company’s to damage the conservation estate if they agree to improve land elsewhere – no monitoring regime has been suggested on put in place

   left DOC director-general Al Morrison to announce that DOC is to charge for services that had been free and, to soften the public up to the idea that there will be more “energy generation schemes” operating on DOC land

   took no action to reduce existing pollution pouring into the Manawatu River and is “leaving it up to industry” to come up with solutions to heal the river which was described by the Cawthorn Institute as “one of the worst polluted in the Western world”

   announced a $1.69 million industry subsidy to kick start marine farming without identifying no-go areas nor putting in place a consultation process for individiuals, communities, and other general coastal users

   was forced to release documents under the Official Information Act which confirm that DOC has “giving up” on ecologically valuable high-country land in the Mackenzie Basin because of funding cuts. The released documents cite “statements made by ministers”, “diminishing funding” and the Government’s new high-country policies as reasons for the changed stance – the comments from DOC were made after Land Information New Zealand (Linz), which manages the tenure review process, ignored DOC’s previous conservation recommendations for the farms

   used former National Party minister and current director of Open Country Cheese – a company convicted of filthy farming practices and found by the supreme court to be a dodgy employer – Wyatt Creech to head up an enquiry into Environment Canterbury which had been standing up the dairy farmers’ demands for more and more water resources and less and less regulation. The Creech report recommended the Environmental Canterbury be sacked and replaced with government appointments and the voters of Canterbury do without democracy until the water situation had been resolved. The Canterbury area holds 50 percent of New Zealand’s fresh water reserves and 50 percent of the water required for hyrdo energy. The Creech report said Environmental Centerbury put too much focus on the environment.

   Was subjected to international condemnation for knowing next to nothing about the parlous state of the New Zealand fisheries,

   bucked international trends and poured more acid on the 100% Pure brand and increases the bluefin tuna quota.

   Squirmed when New Zealand is subject to international criticism for its backing of commericial whaling which National Ltd supports

   Funded Government-owned company Solid Energy runs an essay competition entitled “ The role of coal in sustainable energy solutions for New Zealand” for school children. First prize is a trip to New Zealand’s largest coal customer, China.

   Supported access fees for entrance onto DOC walkways – fee introduced following cuts to DOC’s budget.

   Pressed on with PR bullshit about how New Zealand’s environment would profit from mining national parks, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

   Department of Conservation director-general Al Morrison said the conservation estate created “opportunities to do a whole lot for a lot of different people . . . we’ve got to get away from this idea that somehow we have to protect one-third of New Zealand for a certain constituency and put it in a jar of formaldehyde and leave it.”

   Created random fantasies of abundant wealth to promote all forms of mining

   Ignored reports on sustained non-compliance with resource consents and worsening pollution of water ways.

   Ignored its own Ministers possible conflicts of interest

   Did nothing as both its own SOE Meridian and the Department of Conservation to withdraw appeals against an 85m high damn with a 14km long reservoir on conservation land.

   Granted Energy Resources permission to ship Australian yellowcake uranium ore through New Zealand.

   Apologised but does nothing else for breaching the Treaty of Waitangi by granting a mining exploration permit to Brazilian company Petrobras

   Continued to remove environmental protection powers from local authorities

   Totally reversed gains made in the protection of National Parks and other high-value conservation areas in the South Island.

   commenced a divide-and-rule strategy by attempting to paint New Zealanders interested in protecting the environment as outside of the “mainstream” and in defence of the fact that the media is catching to its bare-faced lies in the lead up to the 2008 election.

   Carried on with more lies by talking about modern mining like that at Reefton being carried out by Oceana Golds as being like “key hole surgery”

   Appeared to believe that the tourists it is attempting to bring to New Zealand are all blind and won’t see for themselves the impact of the dairy farming it is subsidising to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars

   Appeared itself to be blind when it comes to the Chairman of Fonterra

   Supported the Commissioner for the Environment’s decision to delay the release of a report into the ramifications for climate change in regard to lignite mining and proposals to convert the lignite into diesel.

   Employed financial sleight of hand in shuffling funds towards business interests and away from community groups looking to protect the environment

   Made more empty promises when a report showing that a third of New Zealand lankes have poor quality water is released.

   Backed down on promises to protect New Zealand children (and the environment cleaner by more informed disposal) from harmful chemicals by improving labeling and imposing mandatory standards on containers

   Ignored the findings by attacking the messenger when a World Health Organisation report confirms that New Zealand’s main centres have the worst air in Australasia and Auckland is the most polluted with twice the concentration of damaging airborne particles as Sydney.

   Studiously ignored so as to take piss about dire warnings concerning the quality of drinking water in Reidstone.

   Didn’t mention in its 100% Pure promotions that visitors to the Kerikeri Basin near the Stone Store – one of Northland’s iconic tourism and heritage sites – could come face-to-face with warning signs telling them the water is polluted.

   Didn’t mention in its 100% Pure promotions that tourists in the Coromandel could come face to face with New Zealand’s environmental standards when finding hundreds of dead snapper washed up on Beaches.

   Presented bogus evidence concerning air pollution

   Made more empty promises in relation to air pollution while also extending deadlines for local councils to reduce air pollution.

   extended deadlines for businesses previously require to reduce air pollution by 2013.

   Put tourism operators in Akaroa at risk by refusing to make the harbour a marine reserve . . . and then rubs salt into their wounds

   Done nothing after the United Nations finds that National Ltd™’s targets for reducing pollution are not consistent with the measures put in place to achieve those targets:

   Attempted to defend the Emissions Trading Scheme from comparisons with the Australian model while Environment Minister Nick Smith indicates there’s little chance of the two schemes being integrated any time soon.

   Then further slowed down the implentation of New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme:

   Allowed major retailers to reap the benefits of its earlier and secret decision to abandon the mandatory labelling of exotic woods after it is found that the retailers are contributing to the death of native Australian forests despite an independent, year-long investigation which finds otherwise.

   tried to keep a meeting between John Key and mininng company Anadarko’s boss secret. The company is responsble for a massive oil spill and is looking to to start drilling off New Zealand soon.

   Continued to ignore yet more evidence of farmers failing to comply with environmental regulations

   handed over $400 million to farmers to extend water storage and allow for more land to be used for dairy farms. No mention or provision is made for additional protections required to deal with the increased pollution.

   Didn’t point out in its 100% Pure promotion that tourists (and locals) should avoid the Opihi River along State Highway 1 because of the risk of exposure to toxins from phormidium.

   Didn’t point out in its 100% Pure promotions that tourists arriving at New Zealand’s “nuclear free” sea ports will be sharing the environment with up to 5,000 tonnes of radioactive yellow cake uranium.

   Lied about how bad the RMA is

   ignored top scientists and academics who point out that its underfunding of the Department of Conservation will send more species into extinction and hurt its 100% Pure image.

   Ignored John Key making an international arse out of himself in regard to New Zealand’s 100% Pure image:

   Carried on with its lies as New Zealand is identified as jeoparising its good name by allowing us to become one of a small number of states stalling progress in forming an international climate agreement.

   Kept stringing us along even after Next thing, New Zealand received the 2nd place Fossil Award for “proposing the most Flexible Mechanism imaginable with no oversight or review. Bring on the wild west. They want to be able to use any market mechanisms they wish with absolutely no oversight or international review! There would be no way to ensure that the units from one mechanism have not been sold two or three times to another such mechanism. This would likely unleash a wild west carbon market with double or triple counting of offsets and a likely increase of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.”

   Stood silent when Fonterra was caught out lying by overstating its farmer’s compliance on excluding stock from waterways by 100%.

   Put World class surfing waves and Maui’s dolphin’s at Raglan at severe risk by encouraging a proposed iron ore seabed mining in New Zealand’s coastal waters:

   Never followed up after the scientific models created by New Zealand and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to allow fishing are called into question:

   Sets the scene for our children heading down to the park to find an overseas’ owned company had set up a dairy farm in one corner. Over time the shit builds up

   Ignores data which shows the expansion of fish-farming in the Marlborough Sounds could cause unacceptable changes in the coastal environment.

   Strategically removed the word “environment” from the lexicon of local and central government.

   Didn’t tell the tourists it hopes to attact with its 100% Pure campaign that every year, New Zealand drops huge quantities of poison-laced food into its forest ecosystems; enough poison to kill its human population 4 times over, every year. No country has ever done anything remotely similar, on such a scale

   Didn’t tell the tourists it hopes to attract with its 100% Pure campaign that more than a third of Auckland’s beaches fail water quality checks and are closed for swimming

   Still ignored the closing of the beaches, this time as extremely high concentrations of the bacteria enterococci are identified.

   Still ignored Ministerial conflicts of interest, this time involving John Key who is identified as shareholder in the Bank Of America which is backing mining in New Zealand and Australia . . . even when more information is made available . . . and more information . . . and more information

   Pressed on with additional policies that move away from the protection of the environment towards exploitation

   Limited , as part of its effort to cash-in on the environment, access to some of New Zealand’s most endangered species and isolated islands only to those who those who contribute financially displacing conservation staff and scientists.

   ignored a World Wildlife Fund report, Beyond Rio, which makes clear New Zealand now risks some of the highest rates of biodiversity loss on Earth unless urgent action is taken.

   Fonterra director Colin Armer is convicted and fined $72,000 for “fouling” a Bay of Plenty waterway after a judge found he could have prevented the pollution were it not for his “systemic” failure to monitor what was happening on his company’s farm.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pollution/news/article.cfm?c_id=281&objectid=10815436

   National Ltd™ lies when it says New Zealand has the environmental laws and regulations to control oil and gas development on the continental shelf because thereis no equivalent of the Resource Management Act to control oil and gas activity outside of the territorial sea (12 nautical miles offshore).
   http://www.eco.org.nz/key-issues/oceans.html

   lied when it had already agreed coastal plans to allow marine farming consent holders in the Waikato and Marlborough to move from mussel farming to finfish farming without considering the additional environmental effects imposed.

   Put short-term business interests ahead of long-term consequences to New Zealand’s environment, particularly biodiversity by allowing damage in one area on the condition that it be “off set” in another creating a dangerous precedent in that such a provisin means that one part of biodiversity can be wrecked in return for “protecting” an area that was never under threat anyway.

   Promoted proposals that include include a plant producing about 2 billion litres of diesel per year, using at least 12 million tonnes of lignite per year and another producing 3 billion litres using 12-17 million tonnes of lignite annually. A further project would produce by 2016 1.2 tonnes of the nitrogenous fertiliser, urea, using 2 million tonnes of lignite annually.

   Documents obtained under the Official Information Act have revealed that DOC was intending to turn down Meridian (application to buils a damn on the Mohikinui River) and believed “the public conservation land within the Mokihinui River has such high value that it is most unlikely to be suitable for exchange at all.
   http://www.eco.org.nz/key-issues/energy.html

   National Ltd™ continues to ignore the slow-motion extinction of Maui’s dolphins:
   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1206/S00386/protection-measures-for-mauis-dolphins-fall-short.htm

   Significant cuts to the Ministry for the Environment in the 2012 Budget are not publicly detailed or announced by Minister Amy Adams. She prefers to hide. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1205/S00478/cuts-to-environment-budget-explain-the-missing-minister.htm

   National Ltd™ ensures that New Zealand continues to ignore its international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to “protect and preserve” the martime environment.
   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00267/eez-bill-fails-to-protect-the-environment-and-nz-reputation.htm

   Despite long-standing recommendations from the Land and Water Forum, National Ltd™ continues to avoid setting national standards for water quality even after the Greater Wellington Regional Council released its state of the environment report. The report highlights the poor quality of many urban, lowland and Wairarapa waterways, and some rivers and aquifers being at their allocation limit.
   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1206/S00207/strong-national-standards-needed-to-clean-up-rivers.htm

   National Ltd™ further weakenes protection for wild rivers in Canterbury with the ECan Act and indicates that further weakening will follow.
   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1205/S00550/green-party-welcomes-pce-call-for-improved-river-protection.htm

   The Environmental Protection Authority rubber stamps a motorway project with no economic benefit and likely to waste over $1 billion of tax payers’ funds. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1206/S00336/epa-rubber-stamps-dead-duck-motorway.htm

   National Ltd™ is forced to admit that it has spent $1.67 million in a survey of minerals on the West Coast of New Zealand, including within the Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand world heritage area. Te Wahipounamu is one of 183 natural heritage properties which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.
   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1206/S00355/world-heritage-areas-should-not-be-open-to-mining.htm

   National Ltd™ secretly ordered that world heritage sites on the West Coast be surveyed as part of a $3 million mineral study spanning more than 16,000 square kilometres. The survey was only puiblicy revealed after Green MP Catherine Delahunty asked for details in a parliamentary question:
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/7168686/Mineral-study-marked-Coast-sites\

   The former interests of members appointed to the Establishment Board for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) make them unsuitable candidates for the job
   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1103/S00071/epa-board-members-unlikely-to-protect-the-environment.htm

   Inexperienced managers, poor policy decisions and falling staff numbers are threatening New Zealand’s biosecurity.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7175215/Biosecurity-fears-voiced-in-staff-letter

   An independent report on the PSA virus outbreak was commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) following the devastation caused by the virus in the Bay of Plenty orchards with an estimated cost of $400 million. The report found New Zealand’s biosecurity system is fundamentally flawed and there is no way of identifying how the virus got into New Zealand and, thus, no way of preventing it from happening again.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/7224595/Govt-ignored-biosecurity-warning-Labour

   John Key hands over another $80 million to business and farmers to subsidise their pollution.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7208247/Nats-soften-emissions-blow-for-businesses

   National Ltd™ Minister Kate Wilkinson fobs off Save Fiordland protesters who point out that had the government’s own guidelines been followed consent for the Milford Dart tunnel and Fiordland Link Experience would never have been granted.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/7222907/Stop-the-Fiordland-tunnel-Wilkinson-told

   A National Ltd™ appointed advisory group has recommended a significant rewrite of the Resource Management Act, removing references to the protection of coastal areas, wetlands, lakes and rivers and indigenous flora and fauna.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10817613

   Documents pried from National Ltd™ under the Official Information Act show that senior government officials with serious concerns over projects in the Mackenze Basin and Waitaki Valley and hands out $180,000 of taxpayer cash. The decision to hand over the money was made by Nick Smith. More than half the cash went to environmental consultants – including about $88,000 to Ecologic, a firm run by Dr Smith’s friend Guy Salmon. Mr Salmon is also linked to the National Party ginger group the BlueGreens. The money trail shows: Ecologic consultant Guy Salmon: received $88,010 (includes $682 in restaurant and bar charges), Whanganui-based consultant Richard Thompson received $13,130 (includes $149 in restaurant and bar bills), the Environment Defence Society received $2256. Other expenditure included: restaurant and bar charges (at May, June and August meetings): $5495, and $30,800 for the production of two reports.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7327570/Money-for-mates-claims-to-be-probed-says-PM

   A further weakening of the already gutted resource consent process is being considered for foreign-owned mining companies, according to Energy and Resources Minister. Phil; Heatley.
   http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/resource-consents-mining-might-be-speed-heatley-ck-124676

   New Zealanders are locked out of the consultation process on the alloting of areas being made available by the National Ltd™ for resource exploration.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7366483/Oil-firms-first-to-seek-information

   National Ltd™ scraps government grants for solar water heating and Parliamentary Commissioner comes out against them:
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10822323

   National Ltd™ use the Navy along with police and Crown Law to bully environmental protesters in a legal case they knew could not be won.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10822405

   National Ltd™ puts out an international call for foreign companies to drill for oil and gas in 23 blocks of deep and wild waters east of Wellington and Dunedin.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10811689

   National Ltd™ consultants do a u-turn on the economic benefits of additional roading and then get handed a $200 million contract for further consultation work.
   http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/doubts-worth-holiday-highway-4992534

   The Department of Conservation grants foreign-owned multinational mining company OceanaGold permission to destroy 55 hectares of beech forest so as to extend its Reefton mine to a total 81 hectares without public notification:
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/minerals/news/article.cfm?c_id=259&objectid=10818463

   As National Ltd™ prepares to ease the resource consent process for mining companies, the Minerals Industry Association starts putting pressure on local authorities to step aside.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10823321

   Economic commentator Gareth Morgan details National Ltd™’s ramshackle collection of underfunded agencies with no direction or policy for dealing with the vast marine resources of New Zealand:
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10823294

   A further erosion of New Zealand’s bio-security is highted when Christchurch Airport is found to have failed a survey:
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10823549
   National Ltd™ ignores Open letter to Minister for the Environment from the Environmental Defence Society, Forest and Bird, Fish and Game, Ecologic, Greenpeace, and World Wildlife Foundation New Zealand. Inter-alia, the letter points out that the removal of the directive terms “protect”, “preserve”, “maintain” and “enhance” from the RMA fundamentally weakens the legislation and introduces confusion as to its overall intent.
   http://www.eds.org.nz/content/documents/pressreleases/ENGOs%20letter%20re%20TAG%20report.pdf

   National Ltd™ ensures that New Zealand tax payers continue to subsidise 95% of big polluters’ emissions.
   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1209/S00143/ets-changes-a-farce-environment-commissioner.htm

   Proposed marine reserves off the West Coast have been drastically reduced in size so much so that one advocate says they are “an insult” to those who spent years trying to establish them.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10835374

   National Ltd™ instructs its delegates at the world’s largest conservation conference, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s conference in Korea, to oppose any further measures to protect Maui and Hector dolphins in defiance of 117 other countries and 460 environmental organisations requesting New Zealand ban gill and trawl nets in waters up to 100 metres deep.
   http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/116332/nz-votes-against-protecting-dolphins

   Emergy Minister Phil Heatley is caught out lying about the environmental impact of fraking.
   http://www.3news.co.nz/Taranaki-gas-field-contaminates-soil/tabid/1160/articleID/269871/Default.aspx

   Regional council are caught out not enforcing regulations, Government says no action is required
   http://www.3news.co.nz/Fracking-in-Southland-exposed/tabid/423/articleID/259325/Default.aspx

   National Ltd™ ignores concerns about fracking which has seen the practise banned around the world.
   http://www.tv3.co.nz/Mar-18—Meet-The-Frackers/tabid/2059/articleID/76270/Default.aspx

   National Ltd™ Minister Stephen Joyce twists the knife by exploiting news of redundancies at Solid Energy in a statement which claims opponents to a proposed mine are “getting in the way of” potential jobs.
   http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/publications/media-release/forest-bird-rejects-inappropriate-request-withdraw-appeal

   A High Court decision says the effects on climate change cannot be considered under the Resource Management Act (RMA) as updated by National Ltd™. The Court decision came after an appeal was made against an earlier decision to allow Australian-owned mining company Bathurst Resources (also known as Buller Coal) to build a 200-hectare open-cast coal mine on the plateau and mine 80 million tonnes of coal that, when burnt, will release about 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
   http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/publications/media-release/forest-bird-disappointed-climate-change-ruling

   The extinction of New Zealand sea lions is further ensured after fishing restrictions announced by the National Ltd™
   http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/publications/media-release/squid-fishery-decision-won%E2%80%99t-save-sea-lions

   The Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf Bill, as reported back from select committee fails to protect New Zealand’s marine environment and ignores our international legal obligations.
   http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/publications/media-release/eez-bill-bad-news-both-industry-and-the-environment

   More than half of monitored recreational sites on our rivers are unsafe for swimming, a report has revealed.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10841013

   Submissions to a select committee considering the Emissions Trading Scheme by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright’s, and those of thers, to a select committee reviewing the Emissions Trading Scheme are ignored resulting in a Trading Scheme which “will have very, very limited effectiveness and has locked in subsidies to to the worst emitters indefinitely.”
   http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/118536/commissioner-dismayed-by-emissions-report

   Environment Minister pulls out of participation in legal action to prevent more pollution being poured into New Zealand’s fresh water supplies.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7824674/Fish-Game-gets-hooks-into-minister

   National Ltd™ seeks changes to the law which will make it more dificult to get consent to build a deck onto a house than it is to drill for oil.
   http://www.3news.co.nz/Consent-for-oil-drilling-exploration-could-get-easier/tabid/1160/articleID/273254/Default.aspx

   New Zealand continues to avoid its international obligations “to ensure the conservation and management of sharks and their long-term sustainable use” while its fishers carry on with the barbaric practise of shark finning.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/in-our-nature/7848342/Shark-finning-a-national-disgrace

   Recent survey results show that two thirds of New Zealanders believer spending on environmental conservation is a good use of tax payers’ money. National Ltd™ responds with further cuts to the Department of Conservation budget.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/in-our-nature/7807524/Endangered-rangers

   Signatures from 30,000 people in a global email petition urging Prime Minister John Key to save the endangered Maui’s dolphin are ignored by National Ltd™ while the World Wildlife Fund points out that New Zealand was the only country to vote against more protection for the species at the world’s largest conservation summit.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/7793952/Indifference-to-dolphins-seen-as-blot-on-NZ-image

   Finance Minister Bill English begins the process of further gutting urban environmental protection legislation to speed up the building consent process for developers.
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7874263/RMA-changes-mooted-to-speed-up-building

   The Government is stopping the five-yearly State of the Environment report. Put together by the Ministry of the Environment, the report is the largest stock-take of trends relating to land, water, air, plants and animals. The next report was expected in December, but the Government has decided instead to look at the basic data for each area.
   http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/119350/state-of-the-environment-report-stopped

   New Zealand abandons the Kyoto agreement
   http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/john-key-defends-kyoto-decision-5209727

   A government lobbyist who attacted a prominent New Zealand scientist for speaking truth about New Zealand’s environment remains unrepentent in his efforts to silence the accurate reporting of scientific evidence.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10849308

   The New York Times highlights the fact that the pristine landscape featured in The Hobbit and used as the basis for the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign as fantastical as dragons and wizards.
   http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/business/global/new-zealands-green-tourism-push-clashes-with-realities.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0

   An international study measuring countries’ loss of native vegetation, native habitat, number of endangered species, and water quality reported in the journal PloS One shows New Zealand is 18th worst out of 189 nations when it came to preserving its natural surroundings. John Key remains relaxed.
   http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0010440

   Pulls out of Kyoto just weeks after the OECD reports that global greenhouse gas emissions could rise 50 per cent by 2050 without more ambitious climate policies, as fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy mix.

   New Zealand has received two “Fossil of the Day” – first-equal and second place – awards on the first day of international climate talks in Doha, Qatar.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10850322

   Hobbiton – Waikato – is a major source of pollution within the Hauraki Gulf yet is at the centre of the John Key led National Ltd™ government’s 100% Pure campaign
   http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/representativesbodies/haurakigulfforum/Documents/hgfstateoftheenvreport2011.pdf

   The use of the “fraking” technique in oil and gas drilling/exploration is given the go-ahead by National Ltd™ despite the Parliamentary Commissioner for the environment pointing out there exists no effective regulations in case of disaster nor the ability to enforce what regulations are available. Instead, monitoring and reporting and adherence to existing legislation is being left entirely up to foreign-owned multinationals doing the drilling.
   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10850431

   http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-fact-and-fantasy/?p=276592#post276592

   http://garethsworld.com/blog/enviroment/david-carter-minster-mouthpiece-for-dirty-dairy/
   • infused 6.1

     4 December 2012 at 7:57 pm

     Copy and paste somewhere else retard. It’s been pasted so many god damm times. Google bomb somewhere else.

     [RL:Yes it’s been posted several times. It’s BLiP’s own list and each time it gets longer. I personally released it from moderation where it landed because of it’s length. Of course if John Key’s National government didn’t hand BLiP quite so much material to work with…]
     • felix 6.1.1

       4 December 2012 at 8:17 pm

       Err, this is BLiP’s own list. He’s been diligently compiling and regularly adding to it for three or four years.
   • RedLogix 6.2

     4 December 2012 at 8:14 pm

     On Monday I briefly heard part of a news item on RNZ talking about a secret investor putting up $220m for a “road between Westland and Fiordland”.

     Is this another reincarnation of the Cascade Road through the World Heritage Area project that’s been repeatedly proposed and protested for decades now?
     • vto 6.2.1

       4 December 2012 at 9:52 pm

       It is still high on the drawing board of the neanderthals and being pushed hard.

       This should be at the top of the radar for environmentalists in NZ as it is being pushed hard. The currently proposed dart tunnel and monorail pale into insignificance in comparison with this environmental destruction. Even raising Lake Manapouri pales into insignificance in comparison.

       The biggest story.
     • vto 6.2.2

       4 December 2012 at 9:59 pm

       Here it is http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/122487/backer-found-for-fiordland-toll-road

       This is the epitome of dumb.

       On every single level.

       I urge everyone to stick this right on top of your watch and action lists.
       • RedLogix 6.2.2.1

         4 December 2012 at 10:13 pm

         Thanks vto for doing the homework I should have done for myself.

         This is …insert exceedingly intemperate rant here. (There are things I want to say right now, but can’t because I’d never be able to moderate another comment again in my life.)

         This is beyond ‘lie down in front of the fucking bulldozer’ stuff as far as I’m concerned.
         • vto 6.2.2.1.1

           4 December 2012 at 10:22 pm

           Yep. It is in fact bulldozer meet bulldozer.

           Part of the last mad lolly scramble on the cusp of disintegration.
           • Adele 6.2.2.1.1.1

             4 December 2012 at 10:42 pm

             Kiaora VTO

             This truly does suck. I am however impressed with the level of commitment many people of Te Waipounamu have towards protecting and preserving the unique character and wonder of their back yard. Kia kaha.
         • vto 6.2.2.1.2

           4 December 2012 at 10:36 pm

           For those interested in time travel, herewith… a portal back to colonial times….

           http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-the-Haast-Hollyford-Highway-HHH-/109447249085413
         • vto 6.2.2.1.3

           4 December 2012 at 10:57 pm

           And check this. Mr BLiP and his long time dedication to all things environmental.

           How prescient is hisher comment given Key’s recent utterances – third one down …. sheesh …..

           http://thestandard.org.nz/brownlee-bulldoze-road-through-fiordland/comment-page-1/#comments
           • BLiP 6.2.2.1.3.1

             5 December 2012 at 12:12 am

             .

             Thank youse, all. I do only add my wee list to environmental-type posts and try to wait until the comments thread has dwindled before jumping in, but pissing off InConfused is a bonus in this instance. I know there’s stuff missing and appreciate these latest items for addition. And, yeah, that “I’m lovin’ it” stuff from Key was very interesting, especially as how its been one of my regular throw away lines for ages when dissing him . . . nice to know: from my keyboard to his lips.
             • felix …

               5 December 2012 at 4:19 am

               The bastard ignored your ™ too. 😀
       • BLiP 6.2.2.2

         5 December 2012 at 12:16 am

         .

         From the link:

         . . . He says a $20 toll would be charged and after 30 years it the road would be transferred to council ownership . . .

         . . . transfer to council ownership just when the road will require major maintenance work. Not silly those foreign-owned multinationals, not silly at all.
7. infused 7

   4 December 2012 at 7:34 pm

   And yet anything NZ will do will have no impact on the world. Council just ditched free recycling, something that Wellington will follow.

   There goes all my recycling in the trash
8. Macro 8

   4 December 2012 at 9:33 pm

   “And yet anything NZ will do will have no impact on the world.”

   How imbecilic can one get?? Did you really mean what you wrote there infused?
   Of course what NZ does has an impact. Votes for women 40 hour week – etc etc had NO impact on the rest of the world??
   We are one of the most carbon emitting countries in the world per capita. By choosing NOT to join the second Kyoto period and then trying to defend that position Grocer’s actions have earned our country it’s 5th Fossil of the Day award.
   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1212/S00026/nz-gets-its-fifth-fossil-of-the-day-placing-at-cop-18.htm
   That’s the sort of effect we are having now, and it’s hardly one of which to be proud.
   • infused 8.1

     4 December 2012 at 10:58 pm

     Yeah no. Totally different mate. If you can’t see that, you’re an imbecile.
     • Colonial Viper 8.1.1

       5 December 2012 at 12:19 am

       Whether we have an extra 20 people die on the roads over the holiday season compared to last year makes totally no difference to the world population either mate.
     • Macro 8.1.2

       5 December 2012 at 11:42 am

       Hmmm why am i not surprised? I expected such a reply. You have no idea of what you are talking about. Con instead of In is the appropriate prefix fused.
9. Draco T Bastard 9

   4 December 2012 at 9:35 pm

   Greenland glacier melting 5 times faster than in 1990s

   And yet our government decreases environmental protections, slashes the ETS and looks to dig up as much oil and coal as possible.
   • RedLogix 9.1

     4 December 2012 at 9:38 pm

     The problem DTB is what do you do in the face of this evil?
10. Colonial Viper 10

    4 December 2012 at 11:36 pm

    John Michael Greer is right I reckon. Political parties will not be able to generate effective or politically credible responses to energy depletion and climate change. Lip service and nice gestures are going to be the best we can expect, and sometimes (like from this current Tory Govt) not even that.

    Personal and local community action is going to be the way to go.
11. BLiP 11

    5 December 2012 at 12:50 am

    .

    Finally read the link in the OP. How can Groser get away with this bullshit? New Zealand is already a party to the FCCC – it predates the KP!!11!! The KP sprung up because the FCCC was symbolic then and still is. Un-fucking-believable what National Ltd™ can get away with.
12. Robert Atack 12

    5 December 2012 at 7:05 am

    We are past the point of no return, we have triggered about 8 positive feedback’s according to the people I listen to, it wouldn’t matter now if we went back to the cave, 7 billion humans = extinction … starting about now, ending in about 20 – 40 years
    Not having children helps me understand these facts.
    • Neoleftie 12.1

      5 December 2012 at 7:10 am

      Oh mate so this is the beginning of the end is it or due to the coming crunch the beginning of the new beginning.
    • RedLogix 12.2

      5 December 2012 at 7:21 am

      Probably Robert is correct. The chances are that within the lifetime of our children at least 90% of the human population will die off.

      There may be a very short window of opportunity to prevent this, maybe five years. But the science has always been optimistic, in hindsight the problem was always worse than we had anticipated. So probably there is no window; probably we are committed to the 6 degC or more of warming and the catastrophe that this implies.

      And so far governments have proven incapable of responding; the only hope … and it’s a slim one…. is for a series of storms and disasters on the scale of Sandy or larger within the next few years that compel a global response.

      Personally I think that the time for taxation, trading schemes and footling around the margins is passed. We had that opportunity, but the deniers took it from us. The tobacco smoker was warned for several decades to quit voluntarily, now the cancer leaves us with no choices. Surgery or die.
      • Draco T Bastard 12.2.1

        5 December 2012 at 8:00 am

        And so far governments have proven incapable of responding;

        And the reason why they have been unable to respond is because they’re too busy trying to protect business and profits. Everything else, including people, comes a distant second to that.
      • Colonial Viper 12.2.2

        5 December 2012 at 8:25 am

        Probably Robert is correct. The chances are that within the lifetime of our children at least 90% of the human population will die off.

        I suggest it’ll be more like a 50% event from peak population (which might get as high as 8B or 9B before it occurs).

        But a vastly changed life for everyone who remains as well. Expect mass migrations of desperate people before its all over.
        • MrSmith 12.2.2.1

          5 December 2012 at 11:50 am

          Brings to mind a Dead Kennedys song kill the poor.

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgpa7wEAz7I
13. MrSmith 13

    5 December 2012 at 11:56 am

    The lyrics

    DEAD KENNEDYS

    “Kill The Poor”

    Efficiency and progress is ours once more
    Now that we have the Neutron bomb
    It’s nice and quick and clean and gets things done

    Away with excess enemy
    But no less value to property
    No sense in war but perfect sense at home…

    The sun beams down on a brand new day
    No more welfare tax to pay
    Unsightly slums gone up in flashing light

    Jobless millions whisked away
    At last we have more room to play
    All systems go to kill the poor tonight

    Gonna
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Toni-ha-ha-hight
    Ha-ha-ha-hight

    Behold the sparkle of champagne
    The crime rate’s gone feel free again
    O’ life’s a dream with you, Miss Lily White

    Jane Fonda on the screen today
    Convinced the liberals it’s okay
    So let’s get dressed and dance away the night

    While they
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Toni-ha-ha-hight
    Ha-ha-ha-hight
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Toni-ha-ha-hight
    Ha-ha-ha-hight

    Behold the sparkle of champagne
    The crime rate’s gone feel free again
    O’ life’s a dream with you, Miss Lily White

    Jane Fonda on the screen today
    Convinced the liberals it’s okay
    So let’s get dressed and dance away the night

    While they
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Toni-ha-ha-hight
    Ha-ha-ha-hight
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor
    Toni-ha-ha-hight
    Ha-ha-ha-hight
    Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill
    Kill The Poor

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