Global Warming in New Zealand
Five Prominent New Zealand Scientists Say Global Warming is Real - 5/7/08
The Heartland Institute has named five New Zealanders in a list of 500 scientists whose published research is alleged to undermine support for the idea that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, largely fossil fuel burning, is warming the globe.
The five scientists concerned are Associate Professor Chris Hendy (University of Waikato), Dr Matt McGlone (Science Team Leader, Landcare Research), Dr Neville Moar (retired DSIR,), Dr Jim Salinger (Principal Scientist, NIWA) and Dr Peter Wardle (retired DSIR, FRSNZ). Other eminent scientists around the world, also included in the list of 500, have publically distanced themselves from the Heartland statement. While the Heartland Institute is entitled to make what it will of their research, these scientists strongly object to the implication that they support Heartland's position.
The scientists fully endorse the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as to global warming and its causes. Much of their work has been concerned with climate change over many thousands of years, which, while supporting the idea that climates have fluctuated in the past and have at times been warmer than now, does not in any way weaken the conclusions reached by the IPCC about recent changes.
Dr Wardle has led investigations into the effects of warming on New Zealand tree lines. Dr McGlone coauthored a book published in 1989 warning of the possibility of warming-related changes in New Zealand. Dr Salinger has documented climate warming in New Zealand and the South Pacific, and published a book in 1990 outlining the impacts global warming could have on New Zealand. Dr Salinger and Dr McGlone have also been involved in the preparation and review of IPCC Assessment Reports.
Global Warming Threatens New Zealand "dinosaurs" - 6/4/07
It has survived ice ages, volcanic eruptions and the intrusion of humans on its South Pacific island home, but New Zealand's last survivor of the dinosaur age may become extinct due to global warming.
Mounted with spiny scales from head to tail and covered by rough, grey skin that disguises them among the trees, the tuatara is one of the world's oldest living creatures.
"They've certainly survived the climate changes in the past but most of them (past climate changes) have been at a more slower rate," said Jennifer Moore, a Victoria University researcher investigating the tuatara's sexual behavior.
But New Zealand today is known as a leader in wildlife conservation, saving the likes of the Chatham Islands black robin from extinction. In 1980 there were just five black robins, now there are about 250.
Once found throughout New Zealand, the tuatara is now limited to around 30 isolated islands. Alarmed by the rapid decrease, New Zealand has listed the tuatara on its endangered species list and has bolstered their numbers through artificial breeding and returning them to uninhabited islands eradicated of predators.
New Zealand's Global Warming Tax - 5/9/05
New Zealanders will pay an extra NZ$2.90 (US$2.12) a week for electricity, petrol and gas when the country becomes the first in the world to introduce a carbon tax to address global warming.
It is expected to add about 6% to household energy prices and 9% for most businesses but will help the economy in the long run, according to Pete Hodgson, the minister responsible for climate change policy.
The tax goes into effect April 2007. The Labour government estimates it will cost consumers US$150 per year (though that figure is disputed). The tax makes New Zealand the first country to begin writing guidelines set out in the Kyoto protocol into its tax code.
The tax goes into effect April 2007. The Labour government estimates it will cost consumers US$150 per year (though that figure is disputed). The tax makes New Zealand the first country to begin writing guidelines set out in the Kyoto protocol into its tax code.
"The reality is that this tax makes New Zealand less attractive as a destination for investment," said Julia Hoare, leader of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Climate Change Services team.
Other Countries: Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom.
