New Zealand Federated Farmers came out with guns blazing on Wednesday with an attack on the environmental credentials of Greenpeace supporter and actress Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider). See “Farmers' leader queries star's green credentials” – The Dominion Post – 12 August 2009
In the same breath that Fed president Don Nicholson challenged Ms Castle-Hughes for the amount of carbon needed to produce and distribute her latest movie The Vintner’s Tale, he went on to promote the denier's cause that climate change is a natural phenomena, not as a result of human activities.
Mr Nicholson’s chest-beating rant, reminiscent of previous Fed president Charlie Pedersen’s bombastic press releases, must have many of his farmer constituents cringing in their paddocks.
His dogmatic tone certainly continues to alienate the majority of urban dwellers.
It is probably timely to remind Mr Nicholson of the results of the ShapeNZ survey of 2,581 New Zealanders, which found:
- Some 64% say the time has passed to doubt whether or not climate change is happening as a result of human activities.
- They believe climate change is a problem (76%) and its effects have already begun to happen (65%).
For your humour, here is a sampling of Mr Nicholson’s arguments:
- “Humans had always adapted to climate change and always would.”
- “Farmers and scientists together have proven this ability to adapt and evolve.”
- “It’s farcical that consumers in Europe and North America will boycott New Zealand food without a tax or a target.”
The reality is that whether the discussion is about climate change or water scarcity, the leadership of Federated Farmers continues to advocate their industry’s right to:
- Have zero responsibility for carbon emissions,
- Pollute New Zealand’s streams and waterways.
On what basis you might ask? The propositions they most often advocate are that:
- Agriculture is critical to New Zealand’s economy, so leave us alone.
- Kiwi farmers have a divine mission to feed the world, no matter the environmental cost.
It’s time Mr Nicholson stopped the industry self-interested hyperbola, took his head out of the sand, and started engaging in a balanced debate with the other New Zealand communities of interest.
KEYWORDS: Climate Change, Denial, Federated Farmers, New Zealand
2 comments:
Farmers have a tight line to walk, there is no doubt that there are emissions from farming, but it is hard to stand by and watch vitriolic comment from the press or townies blaming the cockies for everything. The challenge is to produce food efficiently, and cleanly, but we also have to except that rising land prices have forced farmers to be more intensive. However I agree that the feds taking a defensive stand will only alienate them from the rest of the country.
Thanks for that travelmonkee. The growing divide between town and country over many environmental issues is a worry. I agree - we need all the debate leaders to listen and communicate not throw stick n' stones.
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