Scheme waste of time, say protesters

The Climate Realist group says humans aren't behind climate change therefore an ETS is redundant. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A group calling themselves "Climate Realists" petitioned against the emissions trading scheme at Parliament yesterday.

Petition organisers Neil and Esther Henderson from Gisborne, with support from Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock, presented 10,000 signatures collected in 10 weeks to Act Party leader Rodney Hide.

"We believe that the climate change is natural. The climate has warmed up a bit, but it's not man that is influencing it," Mr Henderson said. "Therefore the emissions trading scheme is a total waste because it will not have any effect at all on the climate. It will make people a lot poorer."

The Climate Realists group was only formed a few months ago. They said the 10,000 signatures were gathered mainly through email and word of mouth.

"This tells you that there are a huge number of New Zealanders who do not agree with the current actions of the Government with regard to managing climate change," Mr Henderson said.

Mr Baldock said he supported the collection of signatures and the Kiwi Party "certainly support the opposition to the emissions trading scheme."

"I've had some experience bringing petitions to Parliament and Parliament ignoring them - we hope that they might pay attention."

Climate Realists are also against the signing of any emission target reduction at the Copenhagen Climate Conference or any future climate change negotiations.

"Due to developments which have occurred since this petition was launched, it now appears unlikely that anything much will be signed at Copenhagen," said Mr Henderson. "But the intent obviously carries forward. With no emissions reductions commitments, there is no need for an ETS."

ETS legislation is progressing through Parliament.

- NZPA