The news that the National Party are putting their hopes in fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) as NZ’s export future seems daft. Haven’t we established that Climate Change is a result of human activity? – specifically activities such as burning fossil fuels. The two graphs below seem to make the point. Since the Industrial Revolution we have been pumping huge amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, and since that time global temperatures have escalated.
If we don’t want to fry, be drowned by sea level rises, and be traumatised by erratic floods, bush fires and heat waves (a la Europe 2003 when 30,000+ people died), we need to stop emitting carbon as soon as possible.
Exporting coal for other people to emit doesn’t make us ecological angels (regardless of how sustainable the energy we use is), and it doesn’t mean we won’t be affected by the flickle and extreme weather patterns which will eventuate. Reducing carbon emissions is particularly critical because once it’s in the atmosphere it hangs around – not just for weeks or months, but for thousands of years.
“So what?” you might say – “I’m an angel, I recycle and use low-energy light bulbs. My electricity is from a sustainable source, and I never drive a car.” Great, fabulous – and no doubt you bring this thinking into your design practice too. As discussed in the current issue of the Listener, renovation rather than new building, and building small, rather than large, not only saves materials, but future-proofs space from high-heating needs. We need to bring sustainable design and living into architecture – but we also need to become political if we believe that Climate Change is happening and it needs to stop. Being informed and voting to reduce carbon emissions is important. Letting your local MP know you care wouldn’t be a bad thing either.
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