This, from Don Nicolson, president of Federated Farmers, appropriately titled In denial over denial, slipped under the radar last week while I was watching the ACT car crash.
Recently Climate Change Minister Dr Nick Smith added another target — a 50 percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2050. When these targets are missed I doubt reporters will be doorstepping octogenarian ex-cabinet ministers for a ‘please explain’.
I agree that the targets will probably be missed. And I too would like to be able to ask the hard questions in 2050. But the explanation is not too hard to find. Farmers, amongst others, get free credits with no incentive to reduce emissions. Idiot/Savant at No Right Turn has done the legwork here, here, and here . Don Nicolson continues:
There is one way to get emissions 73 percent below current levels and that’s to turn the clock back to 1946. A time when there were 1.7 million New Zealanders, fewer motor vehicles and overseas travel was by flying boat or ocean liner. Let’s focus on what we can control — efficient resource use.
I agree that more efficient resource use is required Don. Furthermore I am delighted to infer from your comments that no goad or incentive is required and that purest altruism will drive farmers towards that efficiency. As Charlie Pedersen, previous president of Federated Farmers, said: You are all climate change heroes.
From the release, “Given New Zealand is apparently producing 23 percent more emissions than in 1990, the latest target means a 73 percent reduction below current levels”
Sorry Don but reducing 123% to 50% is a 59% reduction – still no small task.
Interesting Doug – yep I took a look at Nicolson’s piece – and whilst you mention altruism as the (tongue-in-cheek) farmers’ driver in such matters as greater resource efficiency etc – I’m inclined repeat a longheld belief that free marketers utterly fail to see their greatest flaw: belief in perfect human beings’ behaviors. Buyers, sellers = markets etc.
Confronted with this rod for their own backs denial in so many otherwise constructive relational aspects is hardly surprising.
A concern I’d suspect the broader federated farmers community capable of. Seen for what it is, as I say.
Sadly I don’t think FedFarm et al will knuckle down until driven to it by endless weather disasters that are just so god-awful and in their faces they can no longer ignore the evidence. Unfortunately, they will probably put us past several tipping points.
If we aren’t already…. 🙁