Government must make link between drought and climate change

With the declaration of drought in the South Island, its time the National Government acknowledged the link between climate change and increasing hardship for farmers and our economy, the Green Party said today.

“New Zealand farmers are on the frontlines of climate change. Unfortunately, this is not a one off event. Out of the various effects of climate change, droughts will have one of the largest and most immediate effects on the New Zealand economy,” Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

“The 2008 and 2013 droughts cost our economy billions. Scientists are clear that droughts will increase in New Zealand due to climate change.

“The Government must put two and two together and make climate adaptation a priority in order to help farmers, and work with industry groups and local authorities to investigate long term adaptation options.

“By putting policies in place that are set to increase our emissions by 50 percent in the next decade, the Government is contributing to the problem instead of playing its part to mitigate climate change and reduce the financial blow to farmers and our economy.

“The Government is right to be offering assistance to farmers facing hardship this summer. In order to show its commitment to reducing further hardship, it must acknowledge the link between climate change and drought and start working to adapt to and mitigate the risks,” said Dr Norman.

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