100% Pure no joke
Like most Kiwis I’m proud of New Zealand’s strong tradition of conservation and environmentalism.
From the heroic efforts to save the Chatham Islands’ Black Robin, to our world-leading Nuclear Free stance and our opposition to whaling, New Zealand has always fought to protect the environment.
That’s why it was so disappointing to hear the Prime Minister dismiss New Zealand’s 100% Pure brand by comparing it to a McDonald’s marketing slogan. John Key might think protecting our environment is a joke, but I don’t.
100% Pure should be more than just a slogan. Our environment must be a driver of our economic success and our economy must keep our environment clean.
Unfortunately, we don’t always live up to our reputation as one of the most pristine places on earth. Too many of our waterways are polluted and this Government has all but given up on battling climate change.
National has gutted the Emissions Trading Scheme. It no longer creates any meaningful incentives to change behaviour and reduce emissions, and taxpayers are being left to pick-up the tab for major polluters.
And it is shameful that the National Government is pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol. New Zealand should be leading the charge on climate change – instead we are now seen as one of the world’s climate wreckers.
Starting in 2014, the next Labour Government will make restoring our environmental reputation a priority. Labour will fix the Emissions Trading Scheme and return New Zealand to the Kyoto fold.
I believe our future lies in developing a smart, green economy supported by a hands-on Government. Labour will use the levers of government to back not just our workers, families and businesses but also to protect our environment.
We owe it to ourselves and future generations to start taking the 100% Pure ideal seriously.
Cheers
David Shearer
Leader of the Labour Party
Powered by WPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress