10 July 2008
Royal Society is clear: deniers are mischief makers
The Green Party welcomes the unambiguous statement today by the Royal Society of New Zealand's expert committee on
climate.
"The New Zealand public is frustrated that progress on addressing climate change has been hampered by myths parading as
science, when the consensus among climate scientists has been remarkably clear," Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman
says. "The Royal Society's statement clarifies the links between climate change, increased greenhouse gases and
increased emissions from human activity - and is therefore welcome reassurance to the public.
"However, some lobby groups with vested interests and anti-environmental agendas continue to try to spread scepticism in
New Zealand - but we trust in the science," Dr Norman says.
"Political scientists just last month reported that over 90 percent of 'environmentally sceptical' books in the US were
linked to conservative think tanks.
"The report also noted that the tactic of seeding scepticism on issues such as climate change had 'contributed to the
decline in US support
for environmental protection in recent decades'".
"The Green Party stands with scientists to ensure such lobbies do not scuttle New Zealand's contribution to addressing
climate change.
"The Green Party is proud to have led the policies identified by the Royal Society: energy efficiency, renewable energy,
reducing high-carbon fuels, public transport and biofuels, stopping deforestation, planting more trees, and reducing
agricultural emissions.
"We owe it to the generations not yet born and to the millions of people who are already facing food shortages and
climatic disruption from human-induced climate change."
ENDS