Kiwis & "Carbon Miles"

As a country, New Zealand has made significant progress in political, social and economic, liberalisation in the last few decades, transforming us from a tired rural dominated and oriented society, to an economy more dependent on niche product and niche entertainment.

When foreign tourists comment on New Zealand, especially from Asia, Europe and North America, they have come to see the alpine and adventure attractions, not to count sheep. And we have done very well out of that. But this tourist market is at risk, along with much of our farm produce, due to the conveniently developed concept of "carbon miles", essentially meaning that buying New Zealand produce, and visiting here is bad for the planet, whereas voyages to destinations, and products created closer to home are more environmentally sound.

While it may be tempting to respond by stating that this is just a ruse covering "protectionism", we must remember who New Zealand's tourists are, either middle-aged couples essentially on a second honeymoon, young adventure and adrenaline seekers, or students on their overseas experience (whether that be prior to, after, or studying here). These people will not be persuaded to continue coming here by such a hackneyed argument. We need something better

We have been repeatedly described, by foreign observers, and even by own leaders, as a social laboratory. So in this tradition, our PM, Helen Clark and the Labour caucus have decided to make New Zealand "carbon neutral", in the hope that travellers to NZ and foreign buyers of our produce will be tempted in a further niching. But what will "carbon-neutral" mean, and how can we actually achieve it?

It will take a combination of both small and large steps to make New Zealand carbon neutral. Currently, our biggest sources of carbon emissions are animal effluent, coal-furnace power plants, and vehicle emissions.

Suggested solutions:
1/. A reduction in New Zealand's power usage. The scheme envisaged by the government and various local authorities of placing solar power units on roofs for water heating is a first step. An example of a carbon-neutral NZ would have to include people that were prepared to generate own entire power source. As minaturisation improves technology, the home will be able to use less power - compulsion of energy efficient lighting, double glazing, and interior housing and water cooler insulation.

2/. A carbon-tax rather than emissions trading. If an emissions regime comes into place, companies will be assigned arbitary limits under which emissions reductions are not required, and money paid by the worst polluters will not necessarily contribute to the further reduction of carbon. Taxes collected could be partially invested in a portfolio where technology companies therein were developing products that further reduced energy usage.

3/. Incentives for carbon-small options/Disincentives for carbon big options. Reduce vehicle ownership taxes on energy efficient cars such as the Toyota Prius and Ford Explorer; offer free public transportation for people under 18. Increase vehicle fees for SUV's and their gas-guzzling ilk, assist in re-establishing rail as a viable transportation.

4/. Big projects. We wont be able to stop climate change with half-measures. Our global problem is on a huge magnitude, and it requires a huge response. And not just in New Zealand either, for example, invest in a high-speed electrified rail network from Asia to Europe, so that less produce required transportation by ship/air and travelled smaller miles in doing so, and environmentally conscious people could travel by rail to Asia, and then on to New Zealand. Within New Zealand itself, development of an electrified high-speed rail-network between all cities.

5/. Projects like development of ethanol from corn and canola waste might be socially responsible and reduce dependency on Middle Eastern oil sources, but it is missing the point. We need to develop methods of energy usage and possibly storage that don't involve the combustion engine. If we are to source this energy from the domestic power grid, we must also take care that the energy from this grid is also created in a sustainable fashion.

6/. Nuclear power. While this is not an option within New Zealand, because of political conditions, and scale, in foreign countries, development of nuclear power may be a way to end excessive reliance on coal-fired power. But we must also remember that uranium itself is also a limited resource, and we must not simply trade one unsustainable source of power generation for another, not to mention all of the extra risks associated with nuclear power generation.

7/. Expand sustainable generation. This one is pretty self-explanatory, build more wind-powered plants, perhaps tidal current and wave turbines. Even limited further development of hydro-electric schemes may have to considered. And for what we are burning, perhaps we should be ridding the planet of our waste and rubbish before we burn virgin coal.

Your thoughts and replies are most welcome.
Parrot out.