More droughts, erosion if no progress at Cancun

We can expect more erosion and dry spells like the one affecting growers around the country if no progress is made at Cancun, said the Green Party today.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) warned yesterday that Northland could be in official drought by Christmas. The same day, a Landcare Research report confirmed major erosion was taking place all over Mt Taranaki and blamed increased frequency and severity of storms due to climate change.

“If we are to avoid dangerous planetary warming, we need a fair and binding international commitment to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions,” said Green Party spokesperson on international climate change negotiations, Dr Kennedy Graham.

“While no single flood or drought can be linked with perfect certainty to human-induced climate change, we know that there will be more extreme weather events.

“We cannot afford to delay any longer, continuing to do nothing will cost us dearly. The only way to safeguard the global and domestic economy is to take action on climate change now.”

Yesterday, environment officials and ministers kicked off the two week UN climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico, which will continue efforts towards a global agreement to succeed the Kyoto protocol.

“After the failure of Copenhagen to deliver a binding commitment, the 2010 Cancun meeting is crucial for the future of global negotiations,” said Dr Graham.

“Only a United Nations framework that includes vulnerable developing countries can deliver for those that need it most, and we need to play our part.

“We have one of the highest per capita emissions in the developed world. Per head of population New Zealanders emit nearly twice as much greenhouse gases as the British and almost five times as much as the Chinese.

“The Government needs to call strongly for a binding commitment and work constructively with other nations at Cancun to ensure that the global community moves forward with a plan to reduce emissions and create a binding framework to replace Kyoto,” said Dr Graham.

Link to article about LandCare Mt Taranaki Erosion Report:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10691052&ref=rss

Link to article about drought in Northland:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/63013/drought-threatens-as-dry-weather-continues