Conservation comment: Climate change not slowing

FOSSIL FUEL: Sun, chimneys and fumes above a coal power plant.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

IT ONLY seems like yesterday, but it was in fact late last year when the majority of the world's countries and definitely all the major ones met in Paris to hammer out a deal regarding climate change. Everyone is now aware of the future if we do not stop, or at least drastically slow down, the burning of fossil fuels, which release CO2 into the atmosphere.

A lot of the signatories to the Paris accords still have to ratify the agreement, let alone take meaningful steps to implement it. Take a walk around our own city and just look at all the large four-wheel-drives and SUVs being used to go shopping or pick up kids from school, even on sunny days. There is little sign of a change to smaller cars, let alone cycling or walking.

One of the big causes of greenhouse gases in New Zealand is from dairy cattle and sheep. In fact almost a third of New Zealand's releases, particularly methane, come from this source.

While there is a slowdown in dairy conversions, they are still happening so there is no sign of a halt, let alone a reversal, from the farming sector.

As a first world country, we are expected to make sacrifices ahead of such countries as Indonesia and China.

This is because we caused a lot of pollution long before it became an international issue and, having reached a high standard of living, we should shoulder the burden of the cuts while other, so-called Third World, countries catch up.

The problem that is no modern country wants to give up its standard of living or halt growth while other countries catch up.

For low-lying countries like Tuvalu in the Pacific, sea level rise due to ocean warming is happening now. They want action or else they could very well be forced to shift the entire country's population, and where would they go? European reaction to vast numbers of refugees from Syria and Iraq could be replicated elsewhere on a massive scale.

The problems outlined above are well known.

But even if you or I make drastic changes to our lives and sell the farm or the car, will it make any difference? If everyone in New Zealand did something it would hardly dent the problem due to our small population.

For me the solution has to be driven by government action worldwide. Individuals can make an effort but it would be a feel-good gesture and not make any difference to the problem. Only a concerted effort by all countries' governments can have enough impact to make a difference.

However, we choose most governments at the ballot box and it is far from certain that we would vote for the heavy-handed restrictions that are needed.

Let's hope there is still time before it all becomes irreversible and too late, regardless.

-Ridgway Lythgoe is a retired DOC officer, keen environmentalist, tramper and traveller.