12 July 2001 Auckland: Greenpeace is calling on the Government to stick with its commitment to ratification of the Kyoto
Protocol by mid 2002 and not accommodate the destructive tactics being played by George W Bush and John Howard.
It was reported (Radio New Zealand) that the Minister of Energy, Pete Hodgson has called the timetable for New Zealand’s
ratification of the Kyoto Protocol into question.
“It is vitally important that New Zealand is not seen to be playing into US and Australia’s destructive tactics of
undermining the Kyoto Protocol. Delaying ratification would be just that.
A New Zealand climate impacts report released today shows that global warming will affect New Zealand and all sectors of
society. The report recognises the Pacific Islands are particularly vulnerable to global warming impacts. Sea level rise
and increased storms threaten the very existence of some low lying islands. Already two small islands have disappeared
beneath the ocean, and sea water is contaminating soils, making them too salty to grow crops.” (1)
Next week the nations of the world meet for two weeks to finalise the Kyoto Protocol in Bonn, Germany.
“This is the opportunity for New Zealand to show that it meant what it said in May last year. It must ratify the Kyoto
Protocol. It must also do everything it can to push for the Kyoto Protocol to be finalised at the meeting in Bonn”, said
Connor.
For more information contact Sue Connor, Greenpeace climate campaigner on 025 272 4044 or press officer Brendan Lynch on
025 790 817.
(1) Climate Change Impacts on New Zealand is available on www.climatechange.govt.nz