Turei Metiria: Resource Management (Climate Protection) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Turei Metiria: Resource Management (Climate Protection) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:630;Page:2316] 
METIRIA TUREI (Green) 
: 
 I think it is important to point out before I begin my speech proper that this bill is not about building fences. It is not about coastal permits. It is not even about the Resource Management Act so much. This bill is simply about provision for air discharge consents. Frankly one does not need an air charge consent when one decides to build a bach on the coast. But we appreciate the support from members in the House and from United Future. 
The science is unequivocal; carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are higher now than they have been in the last 650000 years. The West Antarctic ice sheet is breaking up at an unprecedented rate. The Gulf Stream—the warm current that maintains the climate of Western Europe—has weakened by 30 percent. The gradual melting of the tundra in Siberia and Canada has started to release thawed methane from the swamps. Human activity in the last 200 years will render our planet much more hostile for our whanau in the next 200 years. We can protect our children and their children if we simply choose to take action now. 
There are always those who choose to run from a problem rather than face it and the consequences are usually limited. But when political parties and even Governments do this the impacts are major and affect not only the people of a nation but the very future of that nation. Even Mr Blair thinks so. I was very disappointed to hear Nick Smith’s contribution to this debate. He simply reiterated a litany of complaints and offered not one single solution idea or option for what we might do in the future. I certainly hope that he looks at the Green Party document and position and really works with other parties and with us to find better solutions to these problems. 
National would be very wise to take to heart the comments of its former member and Minister Simon Upton who said during the Climate Change and Business Conference that a carbon tax would be the most effective tool to reduce greenhouse gases and that all parties should review their rejection of it. Despite being a blunt tool—I am happy to accept that—the carbon tax was at least a well-thought-through measure to deal with this international crisis. 
This bill today is another carefully thought through practical measure that is absolutely necessary in our country. It is a good example of how small changes can have long-term significant positive effects. This bill gives local communities a little more opportunity to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions at a local level. It puts solutions in the hands of the communities. This is critical because the only means to protect our country from the impacts of climate change is for us to establish a structural framework that encourages local communities and individuals to take personal responsibility and take personal action immediately. 
My co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons has set out in detail the nature of the bill and how it will be so effective for this country. I just want to briefly discuss the Green Party document  
Turn Down the Heat 
 where we have set out over 60 separate practical measures to enable community and individual responsibility. For example if we could introduce a “feebate” system that would link registration price to fuel efficiency in cars people would be incentivised to purchase more fuel-efficient cars where they can. If more money was allocated to quality and timely public transport people would not need to use their cars every day and would be able to choose sensible cost-effective alternatives. 
Domestic electricity demand is rocketing in this country. The adoption of time-of-use electricity metering and smart metering would mean that citizens could better facilitate the management of their domestic energy use helping to reduce energy demand. If we could build economies of scale to increase the affordability of solar water heating by using the Government’s ability to bulk tender people could install solar water heating units reducing both their electricity bills and energy demand as well. If the building code review could be sped up a little we would enable better house insulation damp-proofing and efficient heating for our people today. We could upgrade the efficiency of street lighting to show and demonstrate local government’s commitment to these changes. 
All of these things can be done right now. They do not need investment. They do not need research and development. They do not need more reports. They just need action. This Parliament and Government can take action and put those measures in place now. This bill will be a significant step for our country. I urge the House to support it.