Tackling climate change issues

Towards a New Global Climate Treaty Looking Beyond 2012, edited by Jonathan Boston (Institute of Policy Studies $30). Reviewed by Bryan Walker.

This significant and useful book arises out of stakeholder discussions commissioned by government departments concerning New Zealand's position in the international negotiations as the countries of the world try to hammer out a successor to the Kyoto treaty on climate change.

The complexity of the issue will rapidly become apparent to readers.

One hundred and ninety independent countries have to combine to tackle climate change, and the one country which could provide vigorous leadership, the US, remains sadly laggard under the Bush administration. Negotiating a way forward, through often conflicting national interests, is beset with difficulties and the book offers a valuable guide to any who wants to understand how the world ever managed to get as far as the Kyoto agreement, as well as how it will need to proceed after Kyoto. Any post-2012 agreement will have far-reaching effects on New Zealand's energy, agriculture and forestry sectors and we need to be part of the decision process. The book contains a wealth of information, often in the form of graphs and tables, which guides the patient reader through the intricacies of placing New Zealand in the world context, so far as climate change is concerned.

However difficult the path may be it is inescapable. Climate change is already upon us in the judgment of most scientists and the prospects for the future are horrific if we do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The science is now widely understood and accepted and policy makers work under an increasing sense of its imperative. The book surveys many options for New Zealand, but withdrawal from international involvement is not one of them. It is recognised that we must engage appropriately.

In his editorial conclusion Jonathan Boston categorises the various perspectives on which the book is based.

I thought the ethical perspective carried the most promise of breaking through to the recognition that global warming is a threat to all humanity in the face of which we need to be generous with our offers and our leadership. Fortunately it overlaps with the perspective of enlightened self-interest which points to a similar conclusion.

Bryan Walker is a Hamilton reviewer.

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