Peoples Choice ECAN 2016
This graph has just been published on the state of our climate web site. Note that it has James Hansen's name on it.
Wrote this for Charlie Mitchell of the Press but the coverage was edited. Here are the full questions and answers
1. What is your position on freshwater quality? Should all rivers be swimmable all the time, or is that unrealistic?
Our aspiration should be that rivers are swimmable under normal conditions, anything else is totally unrealistic.
Fresh water policy settings need to be at a level which not only allow for swimming but provide a healthy environment for invertebrates and micro-organisms which are essential for in stream health. The current state of the Selwyn River is totally unacceptable.
Current government policy is simply not good enough and must change if we are to make progress on water quality.
2. How do you think the Regional Council can balance economic growth (particularly in terms of agriculture) and protect the environment?
The situation is more complex than working out a balance between economic growth and protecting the environment.
Climate change is already manifesting itself on the Plains. Rainfall is trending down, so the storage and efficient delivery of Alpine water is what is going to save the agricultural economy from disaster.
Current dairying practise is too intensive for the light soils of the Canterbury Plains. We need to wind down the settings which govern nutrient loss so that other agricultural enterprises with less impact on water quality become more attractive to farmers.
Make no mistake here, we are talking about our habitat, if we get it wrong the consequences will be dire. The environment is paramount in any equation and we must live within the limitations it imposes.
3. What will your priorities be when it comes to public transport?
We need a transport system which people want to use. We need a fully integrated system which is wifi enabled and has a greater capacity to accommodate cycles and wheel chairs.
Busses are currently low emission diesel but we should begin the transition to hybrid or fully electric vehicles and cut out carbon emissions completely.
With the cooperation of CCC bus priority lanes should be contiguous and not fragmented as they are at present.
In partnership with local and central government we need to develop a single, accountable lead agency to adopt a strategic approach to all transport planning and management.
The Metro Strategy is up for review this year, let’s make a start.
4. What is your view on the decision to install commissioners in 2009/10 and the likely return to democracy in 2019
The decision to remove elected representatives from the Regional Council in 2009/10 was an abuse of power. One of my principal reasons for standing in this election is to help facilitate a return to full democracy in 2019.
The poll is open and it is now time to vote in the Local Body Elections.Your vote must be posted before October 7th.
Checkout the graphs on this site. They are refreshed monthly and indicate a rapidly worsening situation we seem incapable of recognising. www.stateofourclimate.com/