Leaked cabinet papers won’t help ACT

It was somewhat amusing to see the Act Party completely misread the room this week when they leaked a Labour Party document concerning our oceans and fisheries. It outlined the Government's intention to discuss several marine policies at cabinet, the most controversial being the installation of 300 cameras on commercial fishing vessels to ensure skippers report bycatch properly.

During the last Government the policy to keep an eye on commercial fishers was halted by NZ First, who had secretly been taking bribes (through a proxy foundation) from fishing industry heavyweight, Talley’s, and its managing director Peter Talley.

However now that Winston Peters has been voted out the Government can get on with doing what’s right, namely making policy to protect our marine environment. It's no small task, but even with the Act Party trying to suck all the oxygen from the room, David Parker has been doing well to promote the initiatives, which will undoubtedly gain not just widespread public support in New Zealand, but international support as well.

Today, RNZ reported:

Fishing vessel cameras aim to curb catch dumping

Minister for Oceans and Fisheries David Parker said cameras would be installed on 300 vessels to ensure the unwanted bycatch was not thrown overboard instead.

Parker told Nine to Noon skippers would have no excuse not to follow the new rules once the cameras were in place.

"It's primarily about getting better outcomes with less discarding, but it also will have a benefit to encourage all fishers if they do accidentally catch a sea bird or a dolphin to report that, because it will be captured on the video footage and there will be no doubt about it," he said.

The rollout follows the installation of cameras on 20 vessels fishing in Māui dolphin habitats in 2019.

Greenpeace Aotearoa welcomed the move but wanted to see cameras on all commercial fishing vessels to ensure rules were followed.

Of course it’s not just environmental groups who’re for the most part welcoming these changes. A majority of voters also want an end to illegal fishing practices that are detrimental to not just our marine environment, but New Zealand’s clean and green image as well. Despite this obvious support, the Act Party still went ahead with their ignorant press release anyway.

On Thursday, Scoop reported:

ACT Announces Government’s Agenda For Fishing Policy

“The ACT Party can today release the Government’s agenda when it comes to fishing policy,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“ACT has been leaked a document from Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker which outlines the papers he is about to take to Cabinet.

“Parker plans to take seven papers to Cabinet which outline a range of initiatives, from new marine reserves and mandatory monitoring of boats in New Zealand waters with cameras.

“The Minister seems to have consulted Labour MPs before consulting with the industry.

The Act Party has completely ignored the bad example set by NZ First by similarly appearing to conspire with the fishing industry in order to undermine these worthwhile initiatives. As if the warning of Winston Peters’ downfall wasn’t enough…the Act Party seems to not understand that politicians who cuddle up to fishing industry cowboys are punished at the polls.

There is no question that NZ First lost not just their ministerial portfolios but also their position in Parliament precisely because they got into bed with vested interests. But despite this fact, David Seymour has decided to advocate for a continuance of environmentally damaging and unsustainable fishing practices, which are obviously not in New Zealand or the world's best interest.

Opposing these initiatives at the behest of fishing industry cowboys isn't just environmentally foolish, it’s politically stupid as well.

The Labour led Government putting an end to bycatch dumping and ensuring that our seafood products can be better marketed overseas is inevitable...so why would Seymour undermine his own country and the Act Party’s chances for re-election by going into bat for an industry that must change?

If you care about our marine environment, please sign the Greenpeace petition to call on the NZ Government to commit to implementing cameras on the whole commercial fishing fleet before the end of their term in 2023.

COVID-19, a dry run for climate chaos

It might be controversial to say, but being in lockdown in New Zealand hasn’t been as bad as many people are making out. Sure, you cannot get things like takeaways or simply pop into a cafe to see your friends, but by and large people are getting the essential items they require.

However what happens if supply lines are entirely cut off and the basic necessities of life become unavailable? If nothing else, COVID-19 has shown us that civilisation is precarious, particularly because most people no longer produce their own food.

In this respect COVID-19 is a forerunner to what will occur if climate change becomes unmanageable…because management is all that most countries are currently proposing. Gone are the days when widespread mitigation could have halted anthropomorphic climate change.

That's because most Governments aren’t interested in reducing our over-reliance on petroleum-based products. The tax they attain from fossil fuels is simply too enticing, even though it will pale in comparison to the actual costs associated with the serious consequences of climate chaos.


Today, Greenpeace reported:

Climate change is harder to visualise than coronavirus, but no less dangerous 

The Covid-19 Coronavirus has so far caused more than 145,000 deaths worldwide.  

These are grim numbers from the World Health Organisation, the actual human suffering is impossible to measure. 

By comparison, the WHO predicts that climate change will kill 250,000 people every year between 2030 and 2050. 

A total of five million people. Starting in ten years’ time.

So climate change is set to kill a much greater number of human beings than COVID-19 has to date, but Governments have been treating climate change like it’s somebody else’s problem.

The reason for their lethargy is simple…they’re in the pockets of big oil and gas companies that don’t want to relinquish their substantial income streams in order to save the world.

Oil corporations stand to lose the most from the transition to a zero carbon world.  

They’ve had all that time to build up layers of PR protection, in an attempt to confound people about the science.  

Petroleum moguls like the Koch brothers in the States for example, spending more than $70 million dollars to fund right wing groups and maintain the myths of climate denial. 

Organised resistance and disinformation by wealthy and powerful fossil fuel companies is the primary reason why humanity has failed to act decisively on climate.

Unlike oil and gas companies, COVID-19 doesn’t have a PR firm working tirelessly to mislead the public. That’s why many people still believe that a transition to cleaner forms of energy isn’t urgently required.

Instead COVID-19 has to rely on the stupidity of so-called leaders like Donald Trump, who is risking people’s lives by opening up lockdown too early. His only interest seems to be in saving the economy and limiting the economic downturn.

The neoliberal argument against society acting collectively via the government is dead. As the Financial Times editorial put it recently: “Radical reforms — reversing the prevailing policy direction of the last four decades — will need to be put on the table. 

Governments will have to accept a more active role in the economy.”

The small reprieve to climate changing pollution levels will likely be short-lived, with many politicians pushing hard for people to return en masse to the fossil fuel based mass transit model. Perhaps I’m being overly pessimistic, however I just don’t see that the effects of COVID-19 will make much difference at all to the mindset of those who would destroy the world for short term financial gain. But I guess only time will tell.

PM lied about Greenpeace spies

The Todd Barclay affair, where the unelected Prime Minister claimed seven times that he couldn’t recall if Barclay had told him about the secret recording of a National party staffer, proved without a doubt that Bill English is dishonest!

But if that wasn’t bad enough, only five week’s out from a general election English has once again been caught out in another whopping lie involving the government using the services of a private investigation firm to illegally spy on New Zealand citizens.

On Thursday, the NZ Herald reported:

Greenpeace spying: Is the Govt also involved?

Greenpeace boss Russel Norman is calling on the Government to "categorically deny" any involvement with a surveillance campaign targeting the environmental lobby group.

Greenpeace says it has caught spies in the act, tracking and photographing staff and volunteers and filed litigation against the private investigation company it claims is organising it.

"The information received suggests the New Zealand Government has also been involved," said Norman, a former Green MP.

…

But Prime Minister Bill English categorically dismissed any suggestion that the Government was in any way involved, or was complicit.

"Not at all I don't where they'd get that allegation from," English said.

He would be concerned if there was surveillance of a protest group, but stopped short of saying he was convinced of Greenpeace's claims that they had been spied on, noting that "Greenpeace like to make people think they're the centre of all things".

There is no question that in the interim day between these two articles, Bill English or his advisors were able to view the evidence Greenpeace had provided the court, evidence that would categorically prove the government’s involvement in illegal spying.

On Friday, 1News reported:

Government admits using information from private investigation firm being taken to court by Greenpeace

“The government admits it’s using information attained from a controversial private investigation firm that Greenpeace is taking to court. The environmental group says it’s outraged the investigators have been tracking Greenpeace staff and passing that information on to the government.”

The illegally obtained information was being provided to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment by Thompson & Clark. The government has claimed that the information they’ve received was obtained legally, however that is clearly not the case.

Head of Greenpeace NZ, Russell Norman, said that the government should not have anything to do with Thompson & Clark, a message relayed by reporter Jessica Mutch to the Prime Minister, who fumbled around for an answer:

Look I think we should just run an open and transparent process people ah like Greenpeace are protesting about things they are free to do so.

Greenpeace are clearly not free to protest about “things” if they’re being actively and illegally spied on by a disreputable private investigation firm that’s working for the oil and gas industry as well as the National led government.

This is especially the case because Thompson & Clark was spying on Greenpeace members when they were going about their own private business.

Intimidation is a tactic often employed by the oil and gas industry to try and impede activists from their lawful and peaceful protests. The only difference this time is they got caught.

There is no doubt that the Prime Minister has tried to mislead reporters and the public once again about illegal recordings. Clearly Bill English is a highly dishonest politician who shouldn’t be trusted with running the National party, let alone the country.

If you value your privacy, don't vote for National.

Standing Up For Our Rivers

On 2 August 2017 Greenpeace activists stopped the laying of pipes for Central Plains Water, an enormous multi-million dollar irrigation scheme in Canterbury. See more here

A win on the world's largest tuna company

Thai Union, the world's largest tuna company, has committed to far-reaching reforms that will help protect our oceans and workers at sea. You took action, demanded better seafood, and fought for this victory. Share the good news now!

Read more about it here.

Help Greenpeace save our rivers

Our rivers are sick. Intensive dairying means we have too many cows which is leading to pollution of our rivers and lakes.

We urgently need your help to get this video on national TV to expose what is really going on. With your donation we will be able to reach thousands of people with our video, exposing the government's inaction in protecting our beautiful waterways.

7 out of 10 monitored lakes and rivers in New Zealand are already so polluted that they are unsafe to swim in. This is a national disgrace.

Chip in now to get this new video on air and expose what our government is doing to our rivers and lakes through their investment in irrigation schemes to drive more intensive dairying. More cows means more pollution.

Help Greenpeace save our rivers by making a donation here.

Greenpeace's Climate and Oil TV Advert

HiKoi!! - People's Climate March 2014

Created with the support of Greenpeace NZ and the People's Climate March, Auckland New Zealand, 21st Sept 2014. Animations kindly provided by Greenpeace NZ. Thanks to everyone for your help and support. And a huge thanks to all those who came along to the People's Climate March and made your voices heard!! Awesome :)

Help children save the Arctic LEGO

Children love the Arctic and they love LEGO too. And now kids are leading the campaign to ask LEGO to break their partnership with Shell - an unethical corporation who are threatening to destroy the beautiful Arctic with oil drilling. Click here to sign Greenpeace’s petition.

Climate Voter and the freedom of speech

There's been a great campaign going on recently to raise awareness about climate change issues that's so far been a resounding success with over 20,000 New Zealanders signing up in support.

However that success is potentially being undermined by the Electoral Commission and policy wonks that don't know how to interpret the law properly.

Today, Newstalk ZB reported:

Environmental groups are taking the Electoral Commission to court over a ruling on a climate change campaign.

Greenpeace, Forest and Bird, WWF and others (Oxfam, 350 and GenerationZero) launched the Climate Voter initiative last month.

But the Electoral Commission says the campaign counts as an "election advertisement", and is therefore subject to rules around wording of communications and spending restrictions.

The specific law that governs such things is the Electoral Act 1993 (PDF) which states:

3A Meaning of election advertisement

(1) In this Act, election advertisement—

(a) means an advertisement in any medium that may reasonably be regarded as encouraging or persuading voters to do either or both of the following:

(i) to vote, or not to vote, for a type of candidate described or indicated by reference to views or positions that are, or are not, held or taken (whether or not the name of the candidate is stated):

(ii) to vote, or not to vote, for a type of party described or indicated by reference to views or positions that are, or are not, held or taken (whether or not the name of the party is stated); and

(b)includes—
(i)a candidate advertisement; and
(ii)a party advertisement.

One of the apparent champions of this law is the blogger known as Idiot/Savant who writes over at No Right Turn. Today he accused the organisations involved in the Climate Voter campaign of being "partisan hacks who think the law doesn't apply to them".  I think that's an unfair criticism, especially considering that his interpretation of the law is wrong!

Even if the Act applied to Climate Voter, which it doesn't, the problem for Idiot/Savant is that he cannot provide an example of where the campaign has said or implied people should vote or not vote for any particular candidate or type of party. That's where his and the Electoral Commission's argument that they have jurisdiction falls down.

The Climate Voter campaign is solely concerned with highlighting the various policy of all the political party's involved in the 2014 election campaign. They are also asking direct questions of all party's with the response being entirely up to the various contenders themselves.

Simply put, the Climate Voter campaign isn't favouring or giving precedence to any particular policy or response to try and influence how people should vote.

It's the policy itself that should influence how people vote, which is exactly how things should be. The organisations involved in Climate Voter have no responsibility for what a political party's climate change policy contains, or indeed the response they receive to some very relevant questions that are of public interest.

In my opinion, to try and close down a public discussion concerning the important issue of climate change is highly undemocratic, which begs the question as to why exactly is Idiot/Savant making such a fuss about it?

Everything is NOT awesome LEGO

As new research into the effects of climate change show an even more pressing need for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gasses, Greenpeace has launched a new video to support their campaign to pressure LEGO into blocking Shell from using its toys to advertise at children:

How ridiculous! Youtube has removed Greenpeace's excellent video, maybe because it was too popular. However you can still view it here.

Here's the intro blurb:

We love LEGO. You love LEGO. Everyone loves LEGO.

But when LEGO's halo effect is being used to sell propaganda to children, especially by an unethical corporation who are busy destroying the natural world our children will inherit, we have to do something.

Children's imaginations are an unspoilt wilderness. Help us stop Shell polluting them by telling LEGO to stop selling Shell-branded bricks and kits today. Sign our petition at http://www.legoblockshell.org/?ytv1

Greenpeace is calling on LEGO to end its partnership with Shell to Save the Arctic.

With the effects of climate change such as more severe weather events and rising sea levels being just a couple of the consequences, it's time for organisations such as LEGO to do the right thing and stop trying to influence children into believing Shell is an ethical business.

Updated: 11/07/14

Is climate change on the agenda?

At the National Party Conference last weekend, Greenpeace New Zealand asked Minister's and people attending a number of straightforward questions concerning climate change.

Here's Greenpeace's intro blurb:

Greenpeace turned up at the National Party conference in Wellington with a full-size polar bear and one simple question - "Is climate change on the agenda?". The answers are pretty amazing...

Their answers should actually astound you:

Here's a recap of the worst responses:

Will you be discussing climate change this weekend? "No! Hope not. It's a fallacy!"

Is climate change a pressing issue? "No! Because it's not being scientifically driven."

Is climate change a pressing issue? "The most pressing issue is the economy."

Is climate change on the agenda? "It's not on mine because I'm talking social services."

Did you discuss climate change? "Yes!"

Did you discuss climate change? "No!"

Did you discuss climate change? "Golly what's that?"

Is climate change on the agenda? "No! No comment."

"You will say that carbon dioxide is a pollution, talk to the plants about that".

These unbelievable responses show how out of touch National and many of their supporters are. They are in fact climate change deniers intent on promoting policy that will cause even more serious and adverse environmental damage. That's another good reason why you should vote them out at the upcoming September election.

More oily recipes from National Party headquaters

H/T Greenpeace New Zealand

Get Free of Deep Sea Oil

It's time to Get Free - TVC

It's time to Get Free! #GetFreeNZ

Confronting Arctic oil

Shell's priceless Grand Prix moment

Greenpeace vs exploration vessel in Russian Arctic

Ban Shark Finning in New Zealand

WARNING: Video contains gruesome footage

This is why GMOs were created