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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Gareth Morgan - 'doing sustainability a disservice'











Mr Morgan's thinking about these things. Must have been on some trip or other lately, into some wild, unspoiled region, somewhere...
He doesn't like the Green's dismissal of working with the National Party and he doesn't like the National Party's lies to the international community. His 'not so pure' view is interesting...

"We need to recognize that conservation and ecological sustainability is a mainstream issue, no longer the preserve of a narrow, myopic sector of interest. That means the Green Party needs be able to form a coalition with either the centre-left of or the centre-right of NZ politics. So long as it remains of the view that National are too “right wing” to be contemplated, the Greens are doing sustainability a disservice.

But just as alarming, the difference between the actions of National on sustainability and the rhetoric it trots out on the international stage – is embarrassing. It is a dangerous contradiction for New Zealand to sustain, and one that paints us into a corner of being a carbon-intensive society that pays lip service to sustainability, while subsidizing the activities of emitters and stepping up resource exploitation.

The mainstream of New Zealand, I suggest, is crying out: give us a suite of green growth policies that are credible and “make NZ a place”, as Sir Paul said, “where talent wants to live”. Come on."


18 comments:

Anonymous said...

So he thinks The Greens should work with National in the interests of sustainability, but that National pay lip service to sustainability.

robertguyton said...

Yes, wildcrafty, he's a little vague on that point. Luckily, the Greens have seen the conflict and have made their position clear - when National comes clean, walks the talk and abandons it's less than honest rhetoric in favour of genuine action, then they'll sit down for a chat.

Anonymous said...

Or the greens don't stand a chance without the Nats so is some sacrifice on a few issues a small price to pay for perhaps having the government better address some others. Are they cutting there nose off to spite their face?

robertguyton said...

Or the Nats don't stand a chance without the Greens...exciting, isn't it!

Anonymous said...

Yeah it is, u think greens don't need to consider the right your that confident Rob? I don't mind the greens myself truth be told, however I am a bit anti the green extreme so to speak

robertguyton said...

The green-extreme isn't calling the shots, Anonymous. The strategically sensible-but-staunch faction is in the driving seat and no, we don't need the nats. It's a glorious time in history and the Greens are grasping it with both hands.

Anonymous said...

Meanwhile Rob is so excited he grasps something else with both hands by the sound of it. Easy there

robertguyton said...

I'm an excitable lad with plenty to be excited about.
No need to get personal and make sly comments, Anonymous.

Anonymous said...

But what happens if it comes to pass you've been grasping at straw? The Greens ruling out even potentially working with the Gnats has strategically weakened their position.

Paranormal

robertguyton said...

Not so, paranormal. The only people desperate to have the Greens chum up with National are National supporters!
Why is that?

Anonymous said...

Because we pitty you, that's the kind of good folk we are

robertguyton said...

Pity you can't spell, Anonymous.

Anonymous said...

I was emphasising it Rob, shall I start critiquing all of your grammar?

robertguyton said...

It would do me good, Anonymous, so, why not?
And it's 'who's', not 'whose'.

Anonymous said...

Very well oh wize one

Anonymous said...

Btw yesterday's was made in regard to fresh air sorry if you took it any other way

Anonymous said...

RG - it doesn't matter which party is trying to chum up the Greens. It's all about the leverage that you bring to the negotiations. With only one potential partner you have no leverage. With ruling out the Gnats the Greens are beholding to Liarbour.

Uncle Hulun successfully sidelined the Greens for three terms. If that continues the Greens will erode their support base as their supporters look to whatever party is able to implement the policies.

That is of course unless you believe the Greens are going to get over 50% of the vote anytime soon. If that's the case, I have a bridge you will just love.

Paranormal

Towack said...

The greens could always use the viewing platform instead of Para's kind offer RG, it leads to nowhere...