Free of what Capital ?

The new slogan is out - Pest free capital, predator free. I would prefer a free public transport capital. Or even better a CO2 free capital! Maybe car free capital? How about motorway free capital? Waste free capital? Or as we try to bring New Zealand back to a pre human settlement environment, free of humans capital. Well that is certainly for the birds.

The free options can be extended or discussed at great length. I do like the idea of a pest/predator free Capital. Trapping rats in my own neighbourhood helps towards this goal. Questions are to be asked nevertheless. New Zealand is certainly contributing massively towards global warming through CO2 emissions. Intensification of farming pollutes our rivers and lakes. We produce more rubbish than most developed countries. Our love affair with the car and its pollution is legendary. Just look at the proposals by mayoral candidates. Most seem to scream more cars on more highways. The party seem to go on.

It makes me wonder if this predator free capital is just a feel good campaign. We don’t really have to change our lifestyle. Nothing is really asked of us in the way of change. We can still produce as much rubbish as we like, waste as much water as we feel like and pollute with little personal consequence. It gives us the feel good factor like - clean and green New Zealand, 100% pure and asks for no commitment. With global warming and worsening environment we should care for real policies with consequence. If our seaside suburbs can only be entered by boat or chest waders it will be too late.

ends

© Scoop Media