2 August 2013

Need for low-carbon economy highlighted: Generation Zero

The report from the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor on the effects of climate change on New Zealand reaffirms the serious risks presented by the changing climate and highlights the need to urgently move beyond fossil fuels to a low-carbon economy, says climate change action group Generation Zero.

The report by Sir Peter Gluckman outlines the substantial challenges New Zealand will face to its industry and infrastructure, including land based primary industry, tourism, biosecurity and health, and energy, as a result of climate change.

It finds that any benefits from a warmer climate will be clearly outweighed by the negative impacts of climate change.

“The risks posed to New Zealand’s key sectors are clear and compelling evidence that it is time to get serious about building a low-carbon economy and moving beyond coal, oil and gas,” says Generation Zero spokesperson Paul Young.

“We have heaps of opportunities to get moving on this. While other countries, such as Denmark are moving forwards, implementing smart, low-carbon solutions, New Zealand is stuck in the past with dinosaur thinking and outdated policies,” says Mr Young.

Leading up to the report’s release, Generation Zero has been on a nationwide speaking tour – What’s the Holdup? - showcasing the solutions available to move New Zealand to a low-carbon economy.

“The report really does come at a fitting time,” says Mr Young. “We’ve been travelling around the country for two and half weeks talking to hundreds of New Zealanders, and the mood out there is for New Zealand to wake up and take action.”

Part of the tour’s focus is gathering support for the Government to move some of its transport investment away from the Roads of National Significance, a series of large motorway projects around the country, and balance the transport budget by investing in low carbon transport infrastructure including public transport, walking and cycling, and rail and coastal shipping.

The Gluckman report directly highlights the effects and the uncertainty of the changing climate on infrastructure with long lead in times, such as large-scale transport projects.

“The excessive spending on motorways is locking us into a future of reliance on fossil fuels and, as the report shows, by failing to act now and take up the low-carbon solutions available we are increasing our risk to the effects of climate change,” says Mr Young.

The report also refers to action at the local government level. Generation Zero is running a local body election campaign motivating young people to vote and providing voters with information on candidates’ stances on climate issues.

Mr Young says: “The release of the Gluckman report also reaffirms the importance and relevance of Generation Zero’s local body election campaign. Local government needs to step up and take the lead on formulating and implementing sensible policies that reduce carbon emissions and limit the effects outlined in the report.”

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 about Generation Zero and ‘What’s the Holdup? which still has events in Auckland, Waiheke and Wellington see:
http://generationzero.org.nz
www.facebook.com/GenerationZero
http://generationzero.org.nz/whatstheholdup

ENDS

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