Thursday 3 October 2013
MEDIA RELEASE
Health professionals condemn government bailout of Solid Energy
Health professionals are highly critical of the recent move by the New Zealand government to bail out Solid Energy. The
bailout involves a direct cash injection of $25 million of taxpayer money and another $130 million in loans.
“It is counterproductive for health and social goals, as well as representing extremely poor economic management”,
claims Dr Rhys Jones from OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council.
“Climate change is the number one threat to public health in the 21st century”, says Dr Jones. “In order to avoid the
worst effects, we need to dramatically reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. This requires us to leave the
overwhelming majority of known fossil fuel reserves, including coal, in the ground.”
Dr Jones continues: “What this means is that the writing is on the wall for coal, and that the future lies in renewable
energy – any other scenario spells disaster for humanity. Countries that become leaders in clean energy technology will
prosper, while those that cling to outdated fossil fuel-based economies will fail. The current New Zealand government
insists on taking us down the latter path, which is economically irresponsible, if not suicidal.”
“The bailout is the exact opposite of what the government should be doing to achieve health, social and environmental
goals”, argues Dr Jones. “Burning fossil fuels, particularly coal, results in serious risks to human health. On the
other hand, actions to reduce emissions and promote low carbon lifestyles can have enormous gains for health and
wellbeing.”
The bailout decision comes just days after the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest
scientific consensus report. The report highlighted, with even greater certainty than before, the threat of climate
change, and reiterated the urgent need for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
“Despite the clarity and magnitude of the threat of climate change, the New Zealand government has failed to take
appropriate action” says Dr Jones. “This bailout represents yet another attempt to bury our heads in the sand and
continue with a doomed business-as-usual model.”
Dr Jones believes that rather than subsidising fossil fuel exploitation, the government should be investing in
forward-looking economic development. “Global investment in new renewable energy is already overtaking investment in
fossil fuels and nuclear combined. The technology is here now, we can do this easily – we just have to make the right
choices. Reliance on coal mining is not what towns like those on the West Coast need. What is needed is investment in a
resilient economic future.”
ENDS