Are NZers ready for Climate change and higher oil prices

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Are New Zealanders ready for Climate change and higher oil prices?

With global oil prices pushing toward $118 a barrel and the International Energy Agency (IEA) warning that high oil prices are a concern for the global economic recovery, it seems like a timely reminder to ponder the implications of indefinitely high oil prices. Nearly all of New Zealand’s export-generating industries such as tourism, timber, dairy and meat are highly reliant on cheap oil. Traditionally in times of economic weakness the oil price falls as demand declines, this however is not the case at the moment. As most economies around the globe are flat or in recession, this begs the question, is the so called energy revolution that is taking place across the globe a red herring? As most of the cheap and easy to get oil has already been extracted it looks like high oil prices are here to stay.

Climate change and Peak Oil are two of the biggest challenges humanity faces, yet most people are blissfully unaware of seriousness of these two crisis. Andrew Martin, author of One ~ A Survival Guide for the Future…, examines how humanity has disengaged itself from nature and placed itself above all else. A lot of people are holding out in the hope that technology will save us or the government will come to the rescue. After looking at the facts and working through many of the issues Martin believes that our best chance is to work together as One, hence the title of his book.

Martin who now resides in New Zealand spent decades working with some of the world’s leading investment gurus and analysts. Along the way he experienced many life changing events. “I wanted to produce a handbook, a kind of self-help guide for everyday living. As my research continued I realized that many of the problems we have created and face as a species, are a result of our out-dated thinking. We are attached to certain ideas and thinking that are leading us down the road to self-destruction. As a society we need to re-examine what we want from life and what is really important. It is clear that many of our economic, social and environmental issues are caused by our lack of awareness and lazy thinking. We have disconnected ourselves from our environment and as a generalisation much of society is obsessed with entertainment and distraction.”

In his book Martin offers practical solutions for individuals to move forward in a more sustainable way highlighting the importance energy plays within society and the current economy. “There must be a shift in how we do things, from our economy to agriculture, as both are clearly unsustainable.” Martin believes New Zealand is well positioned to weather the climatic, economic and energy challenges that lay ahead due mainly to its mild climate, geographic isolation, low population and relatively fertile soils. There are some good things happening at a grass roots level in New Zealand which is encouraging. Ultimately increasing awareness within our communities is crucial to being able to understand and tackle the challenges we face.

BOOK TITLE : One ~ A Survival Guide for the Future… PUBLISHER: Oneness Publishing

AUTHOR: A. D Martin DISTRIBUTION in NZ: Akasha Books, Marbecks and Oneness Publishing

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