Climate change

This Government is not treating climate change as an emergency. Yesterday it was announced that the release of the Emissions Reduction Plan has been delayed by half a year, with Covid and alignment with the 2022 budget as the main reasons.

I’m not sure what the definition of ‘‘emergency’’ is in the minds of the Labour Government. I’m sure the Greens are pushing for faster and harder, but they have no real power (not enough votes), and a National-led government would most definitely do much worse.

Under the Covid emergency, we pulled out all stops – and thanks for that – but we are still pussyfooting around a much bigger emergency. Media hardly pay any attention to this. If this is an emergency, why don’t they spend an equal amount of time in prime time, compared to Covid coverage, on climate changerelated matters? Following criminal cases in detail appears to be way more important. All of this is putting us, our children and the environment at huge risk. Criminal!

The Cambridge Dictionary definition of emergency is: ‘‘Something dangerous or serious, such as an accident, that happens suddenly or unexpectedly and needs fast action in order to avoid harmful results.’’

Jan Heijs

Ma¯pua, September 20