Govt. says we have to destroy the environment in order to save it

Gerry Brownlee’s address to the petroleum industry reveals a stubborn determination to deny the obvious: a healthy economy relies on a healthy natural environment, said the Green Party today.

The Minister of Energy and Resources gave the opening address to the New Zealand Petroleum Conference today. He argued that we needed to dramatically expand the mining of fossil fuels in order to save the environment.

“Our Minister of Energy and Resources seems to have learnt nothing from his recent about-turn on mining in our National Parks,” said Green Party Co-leader, Dr Russel Norman.

“New Zealand’s clean and green environment is the basis of our economic success and not the other way around. No environment, no economy. If mining leaves our coasts covered in oil, or releases masses of greenhouse emissions, our economy will suffer along with people and the environment.

“John Key’s Government seems intent on mining and petroleum activity at all costs. This outdated exploitative approach to resource management involves taking huge risks with our environment, the climate, and our 100% Pure brand. Our clean and green brand is worth billions to New Zealand yet the Nats are happy to risk it all.

“A better recipe for economic prosperity would be to invest in clean-tech and green-tech industries. This Government can build on our strengths as a clean green exporting nation rather than undermine our economic foundations by promoting mining coal and fossil fuels with little oversight or regulation to ensure this happens safely.

“When we look after our environment, we look after our economy,” said Dr Norman.