Climate Change Report Needs Urgent Action
Denis O’Rourke
Spokesperson for
Climate Change
27 NOVEMBER 2014
Climate Change Report Needs Urgent Action
New Zealand First says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report on Changing Climate and Rising Seas released today is extremely disturbing and needs urgent action by the Government.
“Irrefutable evidence of significant sea level rise shows that most of New Zealand’s main population areas are at risk, and some, such as Christchurch's suburbs which sank by over half a metre during the 2011 earthquakes, are at serious and potentially catastrophic risk, says Spokesperson for Climate Change Denis O’Rourke.
“New Zealand First wants to see the urgent development of a national strategy on climate change effects, and an action plan with government funding for mitigation measures for the most vulnerable communities. Local government in particular needs guidance from central government.
“In addition, people need much more information and clear advice on the choices they should be making to avoid the worst effects of climate change and sea level rise, especially where residential development should be continued or not,” says Mr O’Rourke.
ENDS