UNICEF’s Kiwi Climate delegates are making waves in their local communities! Abby and Travis, our two Nelson delegates will be meeting their local MP and Minister for the Environment, Hon Dr Nick Smith this Friday (14th August) to discuss the Government’s recent announcement of a conditional 10-20% emissions reduction target.
What do you think Abby and Travis should say when they meet Hon Dr Nick Smith on Friday?
"I'm a UNICEF supporter, and I'd love you to join me."
4 Comments
10-20% REDUCTION
not good at all! we all know that 40% should be the target and that we as a
country can reach it!
if 40% isnt good enough how about 5% each year? till 2020…that means by
the time we get to 2020 we would have reduces our carbon emissions by 50%
and thats better than 40% aye! there are many options that the governement
can take but its whether they want to take them is the question!
my final thoughts 40% reduction!
10-20% is the cheap way out, further destabilising our Earth’s future and leaving the job to future generations. We need a decent target NOW! 10-20% is an embarrassment for NZ at Copenhagen. “If you think mitigated climate change is expensive, try unmitigated climate change”
I agree Erana!
I think it is really important for Nick Smith to hear again that over 90,000 kiwis have signed on to Greenpeace’s goal of 40% by 2020! Setting the 10 – 20% goal that he has set for New Zealand is almost embarrasing, considering the clean green image that we promote. If we do not take the chance to act now, there will be serious consequences. Not acting is an action in itself. Even without the Government’s support we can all make a difference daily, by reducing our own carbon footprint and that of our families, schools and places of work. For the time being, I think that is an important goal, a small step that each of us can take.
A 10-20% reduction target is a start but no where near as big as what the planet and its residents (us) need.
the government has essentially shot themselves in the foot with this target as, although it is a good start, its not enough to slow down climate change and prevent devastating ‘positive feedbacks’. NZ has the opportunity to take the lead on this; we are a relatively small nation known for our innovation. So what’s stopping us? Nothing. The young people of NZ are full energy and creative ideas that can prevent catastrophic climate change. But we need our government to get off there comfy arm chairs and listen to what we have to say and take it into account when making decisions about our future. As yet they haven’t done this and as a result they say that it will cost too much to have a 40% reduction by 2020. This is simply not true. If we all work together we can easily achieve this target and save money. A target of 40 by ’20 will benefit our economy and allow us to boost our ‘clean green’ image.
I like Erana’s idea of 5% per year that sounds way less daunting and will achieve a better result in the long run.
My message for Abby and Travis to take to Nick Smith: “Get your head out of the sand, look at the bigger picture, read the email I sent you weeks ago, think about what the world will look like for the young people of the world when we are your age and take this into account when you change your target from a measly 10-20% to over 40% by ’20. Thanks.”
Good luck Abby and Travis.
Rick Zwaan