We were very lucky that the MV Rena didn't run aground off the coast of Southland when she left the Port of Bluff on her way to Tauranga. If she had, we'd be the ones facing the ugly oil spill.
We are lucky too, that we don't have oil rigs drilling off our coast. The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico shows that accidents happen to those too, and when they do they are far, far worse than the one that's blackening the beaches of the Bay of Plenty right now.
So we are doubly lucky - we have no grounded ship and no oil rigs in our southern seas.
For now.
13 comments:
Maybe we should just stick to getting up that lignite,Rg, that is waiting to be dug. Would save any worry over fires at sea, wouldn't it?
No beaches to clean up. No wildlife covered in oil.
Sounds quite palatable don't you think?
You've folded so easily on the deep-sea drilling, Fred!
I suppose you've recognised just how grossly irresponsible it would be to drill at those depths, in those dangerous waters, with next to no chance of containing a spill, should one occur.
With that out of the way (good man!), I'm happy to talk lignite with you.
Shall we start with the massive conflict the green house gases it will produce will have with our climate change obligations? You call it, I'll discuss any aspect with you:-)
Oh no, Rg. It is one or the other. No easy out here. I might be a pushover at times, but not on this one. You cant have it both ways. You choose - your move!
You cant have it both ways.
Technically there are four ways - both, one, the other, or neither. I think Robert prefers neither, I'm inclined to agree.
I'm still keen on hitting the Rena with thermite plasma bombs. The insurance companies will pay out, and all that bunker oil will be in the atmosphere...oh, hang on...you probably don't like that idea either, Robert....but if they can hold it together for another couple of weeks, would make a spectacular Guy Fawkes Night. Shall I start selling tickets?
Black or white, eh Fred! Or in this case, black or brown. With off-shore oil-extraction ruled-out (that was surprisingly easy, but all credit to you), we've got to look at alternatives for you. We can't have you sitting in your armchair in the winter, with icicles hanging from your nose, or,God forbid, walking down to the town to get your pipe-tobacco, when you're accustomed to getting into the Hillman and driving!
You need an energy source. Why not heat your home with wood? It's renewable and clean-burning. Get yourself some solar water heating units and save a small fortune on electricity. Grow your own veges, so you don't need to be endlessly tripping to the supermarket. Retrofit the old shack and reduce your heating bills to next to nothing, Fred. Cook on your wood fire. Wear wool. Go fishing - catch and don't release (trout - mmmmmmmm)
I think, Fred, that even you could bear to go lignite-free. Your sacrifice will mean that the excellent soils of the Mataura Basin won't have to be replaced by an obscene black pit, that they'll be able to continue to grow food for export and to feed new Zealanders. Yours will be a much-appreciated selfless act, Fred. I'd even be prepared to put your name up for 'Honorary Southlander', were you to denounce your lust for lignite.
You and your 'thermite plasma bombs', Paddy! They're your answer to everything, eh! Remember how you recommended them as the solution to the 'closed-door' meetings of your local council? And when you reckoned they'd solve the 'Leslie Soper problem'? Most readers here know you're Eric Roy's mouthpiece, so we naturally assume this is his preferred solution to the Rena 'problem'. Has he spoken to Stephen 'look down ya nose' Joyce and 'Bonny'Jonny Key about this? It'll certain take to focus off the faltering economy, the down-grades, the burgeoning underclass and a host of other Natty ills, so perhaps you and Eric are on to something here. Have you learned, btw, when the next 'meet the candidates' evening is to be? I know there's an 'education' one coming soon, at the Ascot'. That's one ol' Eric'll be looking forward to :-) as will I!
C U there.
No mention here of Shale Gas???
Sally
Coming, Sally!
My! You were out of bed early for an old fella, Rg.
I kinda like your description of "fred". Seems he might be a nice chap.
Has some 'odd' views, but generally is near the mark.
Seems easily swayed too. Wonder what his political affiliations could be?
Probably too busy getting in the wood, and hoeing the vegie plot.
I'm certain Fred is a nice bloke, Fred. I wouldn't entertain his odd ideas otherwise :-)
I suspect he'll be a 'Shy Green', sensing the importance of the environment and a fair society, but constrained by his conservatism and his past committment to the Tory's. ZHe's not a lost cause though. I sense the Green in him and there's still time!
Conservative he might be, Tory he is not.
I have heard him describe himself as environmentally aware, not blinkered like some who shall remain nameless.
The Nameless Blinkered Ones - sounds like one of the more obscure Brethren sects.
Post a Comment