Bite-sized alternative political analysis
The facts:
Jacinda Ardern has stated that she sees climate change as the major issue of the 21st Century. And she has indicated that her Government will act to be a world leader on tackling global warming.
Tomorrow, striking students will aim to put pressure on the Government to take decisive action on the ongoing threat of global warming. But how active is this Government with dealing with environmental concerns? The long-awaited Zero carbon Bill is on the way. But how radical will this bill actually be, and will it address the necessary steps needed to tackle climate change?
Analysis:
How far will Green co-leader James Shaw compromise with his Zero Carbon Bill? Many political commentators suspect that NZ First and Labour will act to water-down the bill. There is the real possibility this the bill will be watered down to a set of unspecific targets, and targets that don’t unduly upset farmers and corporations.
James Shaw wants his bill to have cross-party support. On the face it, bipartisan support for tackling global warning seems a great idea. However, for Shaw to gain bipartisan support, that is for all the parliamentary parties to buy into his zero carbon targets, a watered-down bill is almost inevitable.
Shaw has chosen the path of depoliticising zero carbon targets by aiming at across the board parliamentary support for his bill. But such an attempt at a bipartisan compromise on global warming could well lead to political inaction on this pressing issue.
A watered-down bill that pleases all political parties, and has the buy-in of farmers and corporates, would be a useless piece of legislation. Therefore, the pressing question is, is this Government brave enough to take the lead on tackling climate change, to push forward bold policies, and to force other political players to follow?
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This political roundup by John Moore is an extension on the five-minute breakfast political roundup that John gives on Radio One Dunedin, Monday to Thursday at 9am.
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