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| Fri, 25th Dec 2020 19:00:00 |
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New Zealand readers say 'everything' must be prioritised in battle against climate change |
Reducing emissions from transport and agriculture topped the list but readers also believe there are no easy answers
After prime minister Jacinda Ardern declared a climate emergency this month, we asked you what New Zealand should prioritise to meet its climate change goals.
The responses varied widely, although there was broad consensus that more needed to be done to reduce emissions from agriculture and transport. Some of you argued for better urban design, while others advocated the introduction of a carbon tax, investment in renewable energy and more sustainable housing, efforts to reduce plastic waste and an increase in the planting of native trees.
Many of you also urged Ardern to exhibit the same leadership she showed during the Covid-19 crisis, to be brave in making decisions and honest with New Zealanders about the changes required to meet her government’s goals.
Here is a selection of your answers:
‘No easy fix’
Like the rest of the world it [NZ’s climate response] needs to do everything. Climate change is complex and there’s no easy fix. The solution is to reduce emissions across the board, and that means moving away from a lifestyle based on individual “success” to one based on collective wellbeing. That means bigger government, with more regulation and a stronger influence on what people and businesses do. It means a fairer distribution of wealth, better education, better public facilities (including transport), more emphasis on quality of life and less on material wealth, less “development” and more “conservation”. To put it simply, less greed and more sharing. It means changing society, and you can’t do that by focusing on one or two things.
David Briggs, 72, Mapua
‘Farmers need time and support to change their practices’
It’s very hard to choose any one priority because we need to do EVERYTHING we can. I do, however, see a big opportunity in the agricultural sector that is being neglected. Farmers need time and support to change their practices. We have one of the top agricultural universities in the world and the government needs to start working with our local experts to solve the problems of agricultural emissions in a fair way that does not make farmers pay the bill. This is a time to be brave and start early, not avoid difficult decisions.
Krista, 40, Auckland
‘Invest in public transport over highways and roads’
The government should invest heavily in New Zealand’s public transport systems which have been underfunded for decades. Public transport should be prioritised over highways and roads. With projects including light rail, busways and cycleways within the country’s cities and intercity high-speed rail connecting them. This should be done to remove the necessity to own a car in New Zealand and allowing for the goal of banning all non-electric car imports by 2030 at the earliest.
Ethan Maxwell-Garner, 19, Auckland
‘Remove our money from those that supply or support fossil fuel industries’
New Zealand should focus on transitioning to lower emissions transport choices, including private vehicles and freight. There should also be more focus on our buildings and construction sector to make our long term infrastructure fit for the future.
For individuals, one of the best things we can do is remove our money from those that supply or support fossil fuel industries. Moving our KiwiSavers and other investments into carbon neutral or carbon negative industries. This divestment should be done across public and civic institutions, with a heavy move by responsible private entities to do the same.
The farming industry needs to be brought on board, but with a strategic plan and adequate support to transition their practices. That may mean more use of offsetting emissions, if they aren’t avoidable.
Jade Kasoof, 27, Auckland
‘Bins are getting bigger and bigger as we waste more’
I would like us to focus on reduction of waste. I think it’s crazy the amount of stuff that gets made as packaging or single use products that is then just thrown in a hole in the ground ... We never actually address the fact that manufacturers just don’t seem to care about it ... the energy the raw materials etc etc that are all used and then just dumped ... yet we focus on farmers or single use plastic bags at the supermarket … but I tell you what, my wheelie bins were never full of “single-use plastic bags” and its only getting worse ... bins are getting bigger and bigger as we waste more and more ... this consumer economy based on an endless supply of cheap crap is really scary.
Ben Wilden, 41 , Central Otago
‘We need the government to be brave’
I think the government’s recent pledges are good but agriculture must be pressed to make the necessary changes. Some farmers will need financial incentives to change from the dairy and meat industries.
Transport is another high priority – getting rid of diesel vehicles and subsidising public transport further. Housing – all new housing should have solar power and water collection and the renovation of existing homes to follow suit.
We need the government to be brave and lead the way – but also that individuals need to recognise that we must all do our bit to reduce our carbon footprint. We don’t have time to dither – we need to recognise this as a real threat to our very existence.
Bob Gray, 60, Auckland
‘Start leading’
If the government of NZ has declared a climate emergency then they need to start leading by telling everyone what we need to be doing. They were extremely effective in communicating what we needed to do with Covid. Now they need to do the same with the climate emergency. Treat it as an emergency. What are we all doing to combat this crises. Come on Jacinda – step up, front up like you did with Covid.
Ruth Caisley, 67, Northland
‘Stop allowing fossil-fuel-derived carbon to be offset with trees’
Put a meaningful price on carbon, that reflects the true damage costs: somewhere over $100 / tonne of CO2. Stop subsidising companies with free carbon credits. And stop allowing fossil-fuel-derived carbon to be offset with trees, as they are not equivalent – unless you can guarantee your forest will stand untouched for the next 100 million years! Many companies say they’d love to operate more sustainably, if only the price signals were there.
There’s a reluctance to raise carbon prices, because of the perception that end consumers would have to foot the bill. But why not simply return all the proceeds to consumers via a citizens’ dividend? Most people would end up better off, unless they’re very frequent flyers or own a large boat.
The idea of saving us money by doing nothing is appalling. It’s like ignoring debt with an enormous interest rate. We and our children will pay dearly for it later.
Ben Whitmore, 43, Raglan
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