22 August 2008

Landslide response to Greens' call for ETS input

The Green Party is facing a busy weekend at the computer as views from the public on their ETS decision flood in.

Yesterday, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons held a press conference calling for public input on whether the Green Party should support the ETS legislation or not, given the areas where it had been possible to achieve change, and the areas where it had not. The Greens' support is vital for the legislation to pass.

"By 4 pm yesterday we had received dozens of responses to our ets@greens.org.nz account; this morning it is over 300 and they are still arriving faster than we can read them" Ms Fitzsimons says.

"I'm delighted that so many people care about our response to climate change and are willing to give us their thoughts about the changes to the bill that are important to them.

"I am personally committed to reading all the arguments put forward.

"So far we have not been able to look at all of them but it appears that they are split for and against.

"Some are commenting just on whether emissions trading is a good idea or not, but others are responding specifically on the relative importance of the areas where we have been able to achieve positive change, and the areas where we have not."

"We will consider all the arguments carefully and a summary will be prepared for our caucus on Tuesday."

People can email their opinions to ets@greens.org.nz

ENDS

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