A crucial climate change summit will take place in Paris, starting on 30th November. This is the time that New Zealand needs to step up to meet the challenge of climate pollution. But this will mean some changes in the ways that we look at climate change.
Firstly, it isn’t a debate. The scientific evidence is overwhelming. 97% of peer reviewed science says climate change is happening and human activity causes it.
Secondly, it isn’t in the future. It’s now. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world, particularly in the poorest communities of India, Bangladesh and Africa, are already suffering. In my previous role as CEO of Oxfam New Zealand, I saw the ways in which climate pollution-related floods, storms and droughts meant that homes were destroyed, harvests were ruined and water sources were dry. Millions of vulnerable people are affected. As New Zealanders, we need to agree to take action to support people at risk and prevent an even greater humanitarian crisis.
Thirdly, it’s doesn’tjust affect someone else. It’s us as well.This week, a report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment identified 9000 New Zealand homes at risks from storms, flooding and coastal erosion. She called for early action to manage a retreat from high risk areas and to prepare for the impacts. The government dismissed the report as “speculative”, continuing its head-in-the-sand approach to climate pollution. But we need to plan ahead and prepare if we are to avoid houses being uninsurable and communities devastated.
Fourthly, we can take action to prevent the worst impacts. This means we need policies to start the transition to a low emissions economy. Despite our good environmental reputation and a large base of renewable hydroelectric power, New Zealand has done little. Instead of emissions reducing, our emissions have risen by 20% under this government.
Lastly, taking action can be good for us. Countries around the world are investing in solar energy, electric vehicles, public transport and a range of clean technologies that are creating decent jobs in rapidly growing global markets. But New Zealand is being left behind. Low emissions policies would strengthen our economy and make our cities and towns better places to live.
The arguments for action are strong, and the Green Party has been at the forefront of innovative ways for New Zealand to step up to the challenges of climate change. New Zealand needs to do better, urgently. We must do everything we can to reach a good global agreement at the forthcoming climate summit in Paris. There will be a family-friendly People’s Climate March in Auckland on Saturday 28th November, starting at 11am in Albert Park. Please join us.
Barry Coates is next on the list for the Green Party into Parliament. He has been a champion of action on climate change since the Earth Summit in 1992 and will be in Paris for the Climate Summit. The Green Party’s Climate Protection Plan is on our website www.greens.org.nz.