ISSUE
Friday, August 22, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 73
When the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment brought out a paper calling for serious planning against the threat of rising sea levels, the government took little notice.
As an independent advisor we would expect the government would listen and act on her well-evidenced and carefully thought through views.
She said there was no need to panic but carbon emissions must come down and money put aside to deal with any future crises.
With the Paris Climate Change Conference soon to get under way the timing of her report on sea level rises was appropriate. But Minister of Climate Change Issues Tim Groser revealed only a smugness about his knowledge of the issue, and would not take her warnings on board.
At the same time, Finance Minister Bill English claimed her advice, based on science, was speculation. He was contradicted by several mayors who said they had already started planning for changes along our coastlines which might affect homes.
The commissioner warned that the current government’s advice and direction is not up to it. Remember she said it is not a time to panic but rather a time to look at serious plans here and overseas to either mitigate change or in some areas accept it.
But this is typical of this National government; it’s planning by the day, by the issue. Putting out fires as they spring up, but with no vision for what might lie ahead.
As far as climate changes goes overseas experience suggests some of the changes can be handled and some may not be able to be. But doing nothing is not an option.
Even President Obama said sea level rise was a threat to people’s safety, infrastructure and the American economy. He has had his ears and mind open to his advisers, something this government is not doing.
One wonders why a government would bother to have eminent people, like Dr Jan Wright, holding the position of Commissioner if they are not going to heed their advice.
It will be embarrassing indeed to be part of this government in Paris. What does the Minister say when someone asks him why he isn’t listening to the advice of the Parliament Commission for the Environment?
When the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment brought out a paper calling for serious planning against the threat of rising sea levels, the government took little notice.
As an independent advisor we would expect the government would listen and act on her well-evidenced and carefully...
When the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment brought out a paper calling for serious planning against the threat of rising sea levels, the government took little notice.
As an independent advisor we would expect the government would listen and act on her well-evidenced and carefully thought through views.
She said there was no need to panic but carbon emissions must come down and money put aside to deal with any future crises.
With the Paris Climate Change Conference soon to get under way the timing of her report on sea level rises was appropriate. But Minister of Climate Change Issues Tim Groser revealed only a smugness about his knowledge of the issue, and would not take her warnings on board.
At the same time, Finance Minister Bill English claimed her advice, based on science, was speculation. He was contradicted by several mayors who said they had already started planning for changes along our coastlines which might affect homes.
The commissioner warned that the current government’s advice and direction is not up to it. Remember she said it is not a time to panic but rather a time to look at serious plans here and overseas to either mitigate change or in some areas accept it.
But this is typical of this National government; it’s planning by the day, by the issue. Putting out fires as they spring up, but with no vision for what might lie ahead.
As far as climate changes goes overseas experience suggests some of the changes can be handled and some may not be able to be. But doing nothing is not an option.
Even President Obama said sea level rise was a threat to people’s safety, infrastructure and the American economy. He has had his ears and mind open to his advisers, something this government is not doing.
One wonders why a government would bother to have eminent people, like Dr Jan Wright, holding the position of Commissioner if they are not going to heed their advice.
It will be embarrassing indeed to be part of this government in Paris. What does the Minister say when someone asks him why he isn’t listening to the advice of the Parliament Commission for the Environment?
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