Government must make link between drought and climate change
With the declaration of drought in the South Island, its time the National Government acknowledged the link between
climate change and increasing hardship for farmers and our economy, the Green Party said today.
“New Zealand farmers are on the frontlines of climate change. Unfortunately, this is not a one off event. Out of the
various effects of climate change, droughts will have one of the largest and most immediate effects on the New Zealand
economy,” Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.
“The 2008 and 2013 droughts cost our economy billions. Scientists are clear that droughts will increase in New Zealand
due to climate change.
“The Government must put two and two together and make climate adaptation a priority in order to help farmers, and work
with industry groups and local authorities to investigate long term adaptation options.
“By putting policies in place that are set to increase our emissions by 50 percent in the next decade, the Government is
contributing to the problem instead of playing its part to mitigate climate change and reduce the financial blow to
farmers and our economy.
“The Government is right to be offering assistance to farmers facing hardship this summer. In order to show its
commitment to reducing further hardship, it must acknowledge the link between climate change and drought and start
working to adapt to and mitigate the risks,” said Dr Norman.
ends