Environmental Issues and Debates: Massey talks Sustainability

There is little doubt New Zealand will have to adapt to climate change related impacts over the next few decades, yet exactly how much sea levels will rise, extreme weather effects will occur. or agricultural production be affected remains uncertain. Mitigation options such as renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency are available and well understood, and others such as biochar and reduced methane emissions are developing in order that we can meet our Kyoto obligations to return to 1990 greenhouse gas emission levels during the 2008-2012 period. Yet this target is unlikely to be met, even with our carbon absorbing plantation forests offsetting some fossil fuel emissions. Yet, we still are discussing turning lignite into fuels and nitrogen fertilizer at the high costs of carbon emissions and exploring for oil. The emission trading scheme is in place but hardly making any impact, carbon dioxide capture and stor-age remains elusive, those advocating nuclear power for NZ have probably become quiet after recent events, and the age of cheap conventional oil has gone. This presentation discusses possible future op-tions for New Zealand – the choice is to lead or lose.

Prof Ralph Simms:
Climate Change and New Zealand— leader or loser?