Why New Zealand must rapidly halve its greenhouse gas emissions.
New Zealand must commit to substantial decreases in its greenhouse gas emissions, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change on human health, both here and internationally. We have the fourth highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the developed world. Based on the need to limit warming to 2 degrees C by 2100, our cumulative emissions, and our capability to mitigate, New Zealand should at least halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (i.e. a target of at least 40% less than 1990 levels). This target has a strong scientific basis, and if anything may be too lenient; reducing the risk of catastrophic climate change may require deeper cuts. Short-term economic costs of mitigation have been widely overstated in public debate. They must also be balanced by the far greater costs caused by inertia and the substantial health and social benefits that can be achieved by a low emissions society. Large emissions reductions are achievable if we mobilise New Zealand society and let technology follow the signal of a responsible target.
scott.metcalfe2@gmail.com
Scott
S
Metcalfe
Alistair
A
Woodward
Alexandra
A
Macmillan
Michael
M
Baker
Philippa
P
Howden-Chapman
Graeme
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Lindsay
Simon
S
Hales
David
D
Sinclair
Richard
R
Jaine
Liz
L
Springford
Andrew
A
Holmes
George
G
Laking
Rhys
R
Jones
Harriette
H
Carr
Richard
R
Edwards
Caroline
C
Shaw
Susan
S
Wells
Jamie
J
Hosking
Andrea
A
Forde
Marie
M
Bismark
Stephen
S
Palmer
Gay
G
Keating
Jenny
J
Simpson
Rachel
R
Highton
Divya
D
Dhar
Penny
P
Kane
D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005544:Forecasting; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008019:Life Style; D009520:New Zealand; D010819:Physician's Role; D011057:Politics; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends; D011640:Public Policy; D012941:Social Responsibility