Deep Sea Drilling in Rising Seas

Parliamentary Commissioner for Environment identifies further climate change threats

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's report on the effects of rising sea levels and climate change adds another argument against this Government's expansion of fossil fuel exploration.

With Jan Wright's report mentioning a certainty of total sea level rise of over 30cm by 2050 there are likely threats to public infrastructure from transport to basic storm water control.

Oil Free Wellington spokesperson James Barber says, "this is yet another warning about the urgency of climate change." He continues, "this Government should be keeping the coal, oil, and gas in the ground instead of pushing for further deep sea drilling, mining and fracking."

"There are grassroots groups around the country resisting this mad push for private companies to make a profit out of producing the fossil fuels which are driving climate change. From Cape Reigna to Otago we have seen protests against this both on land and off shore," James says.

"Instead of responding to this concern, the Government has opened up another hundred thousand square kilometers to exploration for deep sea oil. This attitude is allowing companies such as Anadarko, Statoil, Petrobras, Tag, Tod and Shell to make a profit out of causing what is possibly the largest ecological and social threat humanity has seen."

ENDS

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