Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

The Eliminate Dioxin Drive

CHRISTCHURCH: Greenpeace has today launched its Eliminate Dioxin Drive which will highlight the extent of dangerous dioxin pollution around New Zealand, and call on the government to eliminate dioxins.

"The Eliminate Dioxin Drive has been launched at one of New Zealand's many dioxin polluting sites, the Christchurch Medical Waste Incinerator operated by the Medical Waste Group. The nine-centre tour will highlight dioxin polluting sites around the country to show New Zealanders just how widespread the problem is," says Greenpeace Toxics Campaigner, Sue Connor.

Dioxins are some of the most dangerous chemicals known - they cause cancer, birth defects and infertility.

"Greenpeace will be encouraging people and communities to join with it in calling on the government to agree to eliminate dangerous dioxins. At present the greatest obstacle to protecting New Zealanders, the environment and future generations from dangerous dioxins is the New Zealand government," says Connor.

"Only a handful of nations involved in developing an international toxics treaty have so far refused to aim to eliminate dioxins. New Zealand is one of those. The vast majority of countries have agreed to eliminate dioxins - and at present New Zealand is undermining that global aim.

"Dioxin elimination is the only way to protect future generations and the environment," concludes Connor.

Greenpeace today also launches the Toxics-Map website which highlights 40 dioxin polluting sites around the country. The web site will allow people to take immediate action to call on their member of parliament and the Minister for the Environment, Marian Hobbs to urge the government to stand up for New Zealander's health and environment and aim to eliminate dioxins. Check it out on

www.greenpeace.org.nz/toxics-map

To interview Sue Connor please call her on 025 269 5001 or Auckland-based Media co-ordinator, Margaret Taylor, phone 09 630 6317

media co-ordinator, greenpeace


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.