Youth urge Dunne to save climate action from oblivion

Tuesday 6 November , 2012
Press release – Generation Zero

Youth organisation Generation Zero is urging Peter Dunne to use his one-vote majority to be a climate hero when the Government’s Bill to amend the Emissions Trading Scheme has its last session of Parliamentary debate this evening.

Generation Zero is calling for him to at least support amendments from MPs Moana Mackey and Kennedy Graham to legislate a 50% upper limit on the use of international emissions units in the ETS, in line with the EU and Australian schemes.

“The unlimited use of foreign carbon offsets is a critical problem with the current ETS, and if not fixed it will mean New Zealand’s only sliver of climate change action will be essentially worthless for the foreseeable future,” said Generation Zero policy coordinator Paul Young.

“If Mr Dunne supports the amendment to implement a cap on foreign carbon offsets, he will be rescuing New Zealand’s climate change response from oblivion.”

Last week Generation Zero released a parody video clip of the song “Single Ladies” by Beyonce, with the message to the Government that “if you like [the ETS] then you better put a cap on it”. The video has attracted over 2,000 views.

Mr Young said the group had been working hard over the last several months to fight the weakening of the ETS but the Government has not listened to their concerns, which are shared by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, environmental organisations, the carbon forestry sector, or opposition parties and the Maori Party.

Generation Zero’s actions have ranged from an 11-page submission to select committee to a ‘chainsaw massacre’ demonstration at Parliament to highlight the risk of a new wave of deforestation if the changes go ahead as planned.

“The Government needs Mr Dunne’s support on this Bill, and he has the unique opportunity to put his foot down and demand an immediate cap on foreign carbon credits,” said Mr Young.

“Minister for Climate Change Issues Tim Groser has made it very clear that the National Party will not do so of their own accord.

“This is Mr Dunne’s chance to be our climate hero and stand up for responsible action on climate change for the sake of today’s young people.

“The Government’s backwards plans for the ETS are now attracting international attention. The world is watching and they are not impressed.

ENDS

ABOUT GENERATION ZERO:

Generation Zero is an independent youth organisation seeking to catalyse action on climate change and work towards creating a zero carbon Aotearoa. For more information see:
www.generationzero.org.nz
www.facebook.com/GenerationZero

MORE INFORMATION:

Previous Generation Zero press releases on the ETS amendments:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1210/S00386/youth-protest-changes-to-ets-with-chainsaw-massacre.htm (24/10/12)
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1210/S00328/facts-before-falsehoods.htm (19/10/12)
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1210/S00290/b-grade-ets-sets-stage-for-chainsaw-massacre-sequel.htm (18/10/12)
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1209/S00368/generation-zero-supports-foresters-demands-to-fix-ets.htm (27/9/12)
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1209/S00249/ets-needs-to-phone-home-select-committee-told.htm (19/9/12)

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