"Environmental campaigners disrupting oil exploration off the East Cape are standing in the way of "better jobs and better incomes" for New Zealanders, says Prime Minister John Key" (John Key)
"I think that we should look at tapping our natural resources like coal, gas and oil in a way which minimises any damage to the enviroment (farming probably causes more enivornmental damage!). Althought oil exploration could create jobs on the rigs and associated jobs and industry on the mainland, how much of this new generated wealth will actually flow out of NZ" (User Comments)
"Why shouldn't the new oil be used to run our own cars and industry at cheaper prices rather than be sold on the international market where we have to compete in a spot price market. And will any compensation be given to the local iwi and local community" (User Comments)
"The value to NZ in this is very minimal short term gain. I note National have commented that the mining of this area is "worth the risk", most likely referring to BP's recent diaster in the US. Key has been told by Crosby Textor to use the line that they (Greenpeace) are standing in the way of jobs for New Zealanders. The group that Key is referring to is a very small number of job oppurtunities, who will be paid NZ rates, which according to English are 30% lower than Aussie and that's good for business.The real issue is a continual lack of NZ production and initiative by the Key Government to create production. Handing out an exploration licence for a minimal fee is lazy government. Giving away a precious resource to a foreign owned interest is criminal" (User Comments)
I personally believe we should be investing in more sustainable energy, what are your thoughts??
To read the full article and comments follow:
Debate: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10718567
Article about protesters and government: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10718679
I dont think we have enough money to invest in sustinable engery at the moment, we might have to wait till it's easier, more profitable, mainstream.
ReplyDeleteOur govt is in such bad debt, i wonder if it will collapse completely soon.
NZ does have some natural resources, coal, oil, minerals etc. I think we should be saving these for a rainy day. We are in alot of debt, chch earthquake x2, bailing our numerous finance companies, etc, etc. This rainy day is now.
To add to this, these resources are valuable now, maybe if we held onto them for longer sustinable technologies may have taken over and they will just be wasted.
I know what you mean eh. so scary to think about the amount of debt we are in. i see what your saying about these resources being valuable now but don't you think the risk on the environment is too high to rationalise this move?
ReplyDeleteI also see what your saying about waiting till sustainble energy is more mainstream... but shouldn't NZ stand up against that, make the change and be a leader for sustainble energy?? Not just wait for everyone else to do it?
You can tell I have no concept of money as I am a dreamer but it seems to me like NZ are once again trying for a quick fix by allowing this oil exploration to go on.
I'm really torn on this issue. On one hand I believe that we should be tapping into our own natural resources in order to gain maximum benefit from them, on the other hand I can also see the point of view that we should be investing in a more sustainable form of energy. I'm somewhat sitting on the fence here :p. However, personally I have no issue with oil exploration etc if it will benefit the country in anyway. Although this may be a short term fix, it is still nonetheless a fix. For a country that faces a large amount of debt and to top it off a massive bill from the ChCh disasters we do require a fix and we require it right now. In regards to the risk that this poses to the enviroment I think that we can rationalise it at this stage seeing as the country will struggle to come up with the money in any other way, shape or form. Other countries do it - not to mention do it successfully without massive impact to the environment. I think New Zealand’s "clean and green' image is one that is holding us back slightly and limiting the opportunities we have to stabilise the economy. At this stage it is only exploration so no harm can come of that - it will be interesting to see however, if oil in large quantities is found, how the government will work to keep the profits etc in New Zealand and not to overseas shareholders. At this stage I think that investing in more sustainable forms of energy is too costly but I can definitely see the benefits for the future.
ReplyDeletere hannah: don't you think the risk on the environment is too high to rationalise this move?
ReplyDeleteNo, that bp oil spill wasn;t exactly a common occurance, I mean it was epicly bad but the event recovers pretty quick from oil spills since crude oil is bio degradable (remember stephan knight lecture?).
You have a car, everytime you drive you're damaging the evenvironment but you're telling others they shouldn't?
We import oil for overseas mostly- think of the financial and environmental costs to that, rather than using our own resources here?
When I said the risk on the environment I wasn't specifically taling about the BP oil spill because I know the fact about the oil being bio-degradable. i was speaking in terms of our entire environment. Are we not meant to be lowering our levels of greenhouse gas emissions? And here we are searching for more resources to continue to add to this.
ReplyDeleteYes I do have a car, i wish I didn't as i prefer to ride a bike or walk, but I cannot get across the bridge without driving or taking the bus or the ferry. Until NZ spends more money on our infrastructure the car will continue to rule this city.
Also Amanda fair point about it being a fix now which we need. I mean it sucks that the America'c Cup money is under contract since I'm pretty sure about 99% of New Zealanders would rather that money go to CHCH.
Just putting it out there that NZ gets alot of tourists because of our "clean and green" reputation. I think this is a valuable reputation that we cannot afford to lose at this time
re Georgia
ReplyDelete"We import oil for overseas mostly- think of the financial and environmental costs to that, rather than using our own resources here?"
One of the issues here is that this oil we excavate will be going overseas. That is also another point I'm getting at, if this oil was going to be used here to make it cheaper then it would be good and more rationalised, but it will be mainly exported
Also one more comment, say this goes ahead for "the good of the economy".... the drilling will take place and twice the depth of the Mexico disaster and the water is unstable... if we have an oil spill, then both our environment (local coastlines and animals) and our economy are in the stoosh
ReplyDelete