This really needs to be a top priority for TOP.
New Zealand brands itself as clean and green but it is failing in this aspect (along with many others). In relation to climate change we need to look into the following:
1) Halting all new fossil fuel exploration and excavation.
2) Develop a timeframe to phase out all existing fossil fuels excavation. In doing so commitments need to be made to develop transition plans so that the communities who currently rely on these operations economically can continue to thrive under new industries.
3) Adopt a similar approach for coal and gas power stations
4) Invest money into research for methane emissions from livestock. I’m not proposing another fart tax but we need to commit to reducing or offsetting this somehow.
5) Increase investment into electric vehicles – increase the number of charging stations by starting to look into requiring this through the Building Code and District Plans.
6) Switch transport investment to rail and public transport. A shift to rail for freight (and a lesser extent passengers) over time (not immediately), and a heavy promotion of public transport will help improve our vehicle emissions.

Climate change really is an issue that hasnt been taken seriously enough by anyone but the Greens – we have a unique opportunity to set a benchmark here!

Im desperately hoping this is going to be one of the TOP 3 policies.. and that we seek opportunity for Kiwis in the solution to this problem. We just can not suboptimise , backslide , or leave a single stone unturned to reduce our CO2 emissions nor use every influencing opportunity to encourage every other cou try to reduce their CO2 emmissions also.

The time is RIGHT NOW if we are to survive, it is critical.

97% of climate scientists agree that climate warning trends over the last century are primarily caused by human activity. New Zealand’s record of activity to reduce emissions is shameful. We are the 5th highest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases in the industrialised world and our greenhouse gas emissions have been going in the wrong direction (increasing by over 20% since 1990). At the latest 2015 Paris climate conference, NZ was amongst the 10 countries which offered the lowest carbon emission reduction targets. This was an international embarrassment, and was tagged as wholly inadequate by Climate Change Tracker. A recent IPCC report estimates that globally, the world is NOT on track to reach the 2 degrees maximum temperature increase target of the Paris conference. Massive decarbonisation is required to prevent drastic climate change, catastrophic natural disasters and large costs to the world economy.

essential

I believe this article is terribly important…it addresses climate change BUT more importantly the NEED NOW for a totally new slant for economic survival and prosperity, I believe in the UBI for a start, also free tertiary education, intelligent deflation of the housing ‘bubble’ before it explodes and wrecks everything….please read this:
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/23/donald-trump-climate-change-war?client=ms-android-huawei

Cleaning rivers, planting forestry and continuation of removing pests are priorities. Regarding waste management issues, Sweden offer a great solution – albeit a little expensive.
https://www.buzzworthy.com/sweden-good-recycling-import-trash/

Our water will make our nation wealthy – its time to clean our rivers

Typo.. 50.. 50 perecent !!’ :-) typo

Suggestions: Climate action