Greens needed for climate

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Re: Climate change driving record weather extremes, August 2 story.

A sad story, I must say. Killer heat, deadly floods, choking smoke from wildfires — and no relief in sight.

I add that Australia’s Queensland outback got 13 times its normal monthly July rain in just one day. And here in  Aotearoa, 2022 was our wettest, warmest year ever recorded (this year might be even be worse).

I join with climate scientist Michael Mann’s concluding words: “How on Earth are we still burning fossil fuels after witnessing all this?”

The AP report is very clear these extremes are due to climate change, largely caused by fossil fuel use.

Last year Christopher Luxon reaffirmed National’s policy of overturning the ban on issuing new permits for offshore oil and gas exploration . . . now he pledges a four-lane highway from Tauranga to Northland if elected.

Atmospheric CO2 is at the highest levels in 14 million years and increasing more rapidly than ever.

Climate change affects everything and is the most important issue facing our world today.

Although our present Labour Govt, without constraint, reveals weakening climate policy, if Labour makes it back after the October election the Greens — who are super strong on climate — will be there to ensure sound climate commitment.

They would have to be a lot better than a National-led coalition.

Again I join with Michael Mann:  Why are we still burning fossil fuels after witnessing all this?

Bob Hughes