Consumers International (CI), the global coalition of consumer groups, is calling on governments to set scientifically sound targets for greenhouse-gas reductions.
The organisation, of which Consumer NZ is a member, has joined the “TckTckTck” campaign. The campaign name is intended to signal that “time is running out”.
TckTckTck is lobbying for an ambitious, binding and international climate-change agreement to emerge from UN negotiations in Copenhagen in December.
The Copenhagen talks are expected to draft and ratify a treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol. CI wants governments to implement mandatory targets for major and sustainable reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions. The starting point “must be scientifically sound targets for emission reductions across the economy and a commitment to broader sustainable human development”, it says.
This means a shift to a low-emissions future that includes radically higher levels of energy efficiency and radically lower use of fossil fuels. CI says the consensus is resoundingly clear: climate change is real, it’s caused predominantly by human activities and it will have far-reaching consequences for the environment and human lives unless we act swiftly to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
To find out more about the TckTckTck campaign, go to www.tcktcktck.org.
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When snow closed the Desert Road at the beginning of October and 700 travellers were stranded, (and it's still snowing), does that mean we're now heading for an ice age - global freezing? For those proclaimed "scientists", if you haven't already done so I suggest you read Ian Wishart's book "Air Con..." Not only is the book informative and eye-opening, the scientific references would no doubt make interesting reading for you as well.
Can anyone, please, explain why it is that:
if we, as a country, create too big a 'footprint', we pay money (to whom???) when we need those very dollars to help get our own 'act into order' so that we can reduce our emissions to 'an acceptable level'.
To me it makes no sense. But then neither was I clever enough to dream up such a wonderful money-making scheme that has everyone so bamboozled that they dare not ask questions for fear of being shouted down in flames, and pilloried for being non-environmental.
All human-caused CO2 emissions ending up in the atmosphere add up to less than 2% of the natural emissions from oceans, volcanoes etc. Yet CO2 is still only a trace gas in the atmosphere - less than one-tenth of 1%, or 4 parts per 10,000. So it's absurd to insist that reducing or adding to 2% of a trace gas has any effect on climate change. But the profits from carbon trading will be real enough - at our expense.
Yes one more scam, perpetuated by the likes of Al Gore.... Worst is, poor New Zealanders, they are walking to the slaughter house as their sheep and cattle do since the time farming began on this lovely Islands. Guess what, Al Gore and his ilk will be laughing to the bank. When will this country grow up and stand on it's feet?? Look at China and India and we still call them third world. There are more pressing issues... improve the standard of education for one. If we do not wake up, in next 20 years Fontera will be history and we will be importing milk and meat from China or India.
I strongly support Consumer NZ's stance on this issue. I have two young kids and would like to think that they would have the benefit of as nice a planet to live on as I have enjoyed. As a scientist I have read and reviewed a wide range of the research on this topic. We need to act now.
I'm all for protecting mother earth. How we do this the most effectively is the question? If we are to spend millions of dollars in carbon taxes, what will the money be spent on? Why don't all the goverments of country's that care agree to put massive funding into new technologies that supply mankind with the energy it requires without requiring mankind to give up anything that we now consider a life essential (Beer fridges & large TV's). Why haven't we developed any new more effective energy sources since nuclear power? Lack of money or Greed from those who control the power? I believe we have a strong instinct for survival.
Hi Elderly bloke (I'm also one of those). See my comment below. I suggest you read "Thin Ice" by Mark Bowen for the real science.
Just check the ratio of for vs against replies to this blog.
It is my contention that the issue is being foisted onto an UNWILLING public!