Hoarding is exactly what the government is doing right now by filling the SPR, and frankly it's the best thing that could happen. It drives prices up. High prices encourage demand destruction. They also finance new well development. The hoarded oil gives us a buffer to fall back on once shortages become more prevalent. High prices are what we need in order to adapt to what's coming, and the sooner they happen, the better.
Joined: Oct 17, 2007 Posts: 114 Location: New of Zealand
Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject: NZ: Economy b4 Environment
Another typical political failing. Basically all this talk of saving the planet is just for good PR. If it means there might be some tough times for residents and businesses then sod the environment.
Quote:
Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday that, as well as deferring until 2011 the inclusion of transport fuels within the emissions trading scheme, the Government proposed to delay the beginning of the phase-out of free allocations for trade-exposed sectors to 2018.
2018? Too late Helen. Personally I don't think emission trading schemes will work anyway, but its the principle of the matter. A scheme to try and ave the environment has been set back because it might hurt the wallet.
She has also slashed the 5c tax on petrol for Aucklanders because of current high gas prices. Originally it was to be 10c, then 5c, and now more likely to be 1c or 2c.
Joined: Jul 12, 2004 Posts: 132 Location: New Zealand
Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:19 am Post subject: Re: NZ: Economy b4 Environment
Perhaps you should read this article from the NZ Herald. Global warming is bollocks, still if wrecking the economy makes you feel virtuous, then go ahead.
Joined: Sep 25, 2005 Posts: 1930 Location: Waiuku, New Zealand
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 5:30 am Post subject: Re: NZ: Economy b4 Environment
essex wrote:
Perhaps you should read this article from the NZ Herald. Global warming is bollocks, still if wrecking the economy makes you feel virtuous, then go ahead.
Nowhere in that article does it state, or even suggest, that "Global warming is bollocks". It seems that Terry Dunleavy believes that being 90% certain about the effect of human behaviour on our environment is not good enough to stop destroying our children's futures. He wants to be 100% certain without offering the same certainty that human behaviour is insignificant. That kind of attitude is reprehensible.
As far as wrecking the economy is concerned, it will do that all by itself. Haven't you heard that the earth has finite resources? Yet sustainability will now take a back seat as election fever/panic starts to bite and politicians vie with each other to offer the biggest tax cut. We need a strong economy, they say, when what they mean is "we need to keep living unsustainably". Funnily, enough, they never explain why that is better than living sustainably.
Emissions trading is probably useless, but the arguments expounded against it are also of little value. Ultimately, it doesn't matter how New Zealand fits into the world economy, but how it positions itself for a resource constrained future and much lowered world trade/transport.
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