At the most recent United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26), we were told that "coal was being consigned to history". But here in "clean, green" Aotearoa we keep burning the stuff like crazy: based on the latest available data (from 2018), our gross carbon emissions ranked 24th among the "developed" countries and our emissions per person were the sixth highest in the world per capita.
Our first Emissions Reduction Plan is out, and the government has allocated money in the Budget to help businesses ditch fossil fuels. But it's not happening fast enough.
Our largest company, Fonterra, uses about 500,000 tonnes of coal each year across many of its manufacturing sites to turn liquid milk into powder. This produces more than one million tonnes of CO2, which, according to respected scientific journal Nature Communications, is enough to kill 226 people by 2100 due to heat-related causes.
In 2017, Jacinda Ardern called climate change "my generation's nuclear-free moment". A "climate emergency" was declared, but the coal keeps on burning. Some of it is mined locally but a lot is now imported from Indonesia, even as we continue to export coal.
This story is from the May 28 - June 3, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 28 - June 3, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The rest is history
Rest - both sleep and non-sleep - is essential to help our overstressed bodies and minds repair themselves. But many of us remain in a constant state of 'fight, flight or freeze'.
Right and power
Israel is profiting financially and extending its global technological influence in response to the October 7 massacre, says investigative journalist Antony Loewenstein.
Dolphins be damned
Is SailGP's future in this country really under threat because of an at-risk marine mammal?
Orwellian irony
Our thinking about one of the 20th century's best-known writers is being challenged by the 'smelly little truths' Anna Funder uncovered about George Orwell's marriage.
The alchemist
Talent and a little magic have taken state-house kid Moses Mackay to the heights of Italian opera. He's coming back to sprinkle some of his gold dust around.
Good Lord, he was scandalous
Lord Byron still fascinates 200 years after his death, but more for his bohemian lifestyle than his poetry.
Stars in their eyes
Debut novel a heady mix of grief, astronomy and love.
Dark matter
Ngaio Marsh-style whodunnit set among academia attached to the Mt John Observatory.
Mirren's mirror on Meir
Dame Helen talks about playing Golda Meir, Israel's iron lady, during a pivotal chapter in the controversial politician's long career.
Game, set and match
Love, sex and great tennis take centre court in this highly charged drama.