Keeping it pure

Posted by on 15 October 2011 | 0 Comments

In today's world it is all about the global economy and global environment, but I think we must start being aware of possible issues in our own country first. New Zealand is sold overseas as 100% Pure, but that marketing slogan is very much at risk.

We are a wealthy country compared to the third world and we should be looked upon as leaders. I believe strongly we are only borrowing the land from future generations and as such, the resources we are so fortunate to have in Southland do not have to be used by this generation. In the future I am sure we will come up with alternative energy sources which are environmentally friendly.

New Zealand is responsible for only 0.2% of global greenhouse emissions, but that is still quite high per head of population, compared to other countries. We cannot expect to continue to market our agricultural exports to the rest of the world, using our clean green image to promote them, unless we show some commitment to reducing those emissions.

Of grave concern to me personally and to many others I talk to in Southland is the mining of our lignite resources. I know there are sceptics in the world who do not believe in climate change and the effects on our environment, but why take the risk.

Lignite mines of the scale proposed will be visible to any visitor and will affect our landscape and reputation to tourists and consumers in our overseas markets.

I guess it is hard to believe on a beautiful day in Southland that there are problems, but I am equally certain in the reality of climate change, particularly after the large number of in-depth studies on climate change and the various side issues, including fuel use, that surround it.

Not least in this list of studies is that recently released by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright. Lignite and climate change: The high cost of low grade coal discusses lignite as a resource, New Zealand's climate change obligations, options to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of lignite use on those emissions.

In her overview, Dr Wright states that the Government agreed to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions to between 10% and 20% below the 1990 level by 2020. At the rate we are going at the moment, the emissions are on track to be 30% above the 1990 level by 2020. "The production of diesel from lignite on the scale contemplated would increase New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions, significantly," she says.

The report goes on to say that lignite is a carbon-intensive energy source and large-scale lignite use can result in greenhouse gas emissions much larger than other fuel sources. However, the production of diesel and urea from lignite are both new activities that could qualify for support from the Government in the form of free carbon credits. "But it makes no sense that the Emission Trading Scheme rules would lead to taxpayers subsidising, even at a modest level, new investment in outdated dirty technology," the report summarises.

Dr Wright goes on to make recommendations to the Government, but I want to emphasise to all Southlanders that if they do not want large-scale lignite mining, they need to voice their opinion to Central Government now.  

Importantly lignite will not deteriorate while left in the ground until future generations discover technology to use it with less environmental impact.

For the present we need to capitalise on our New Zealand Pure image to maximise returns for the food products that we produce so efficiently from our land here in Southland for markets around the world.