We're a bit schizophrenic on climate change over here. We project this image of
clean, green New Zealand, yet we have the fourth highest
ecological footprint per capita in the world. Al Gore says Helen Clark's government is providing
"tremendous leadership" on climate change, at the same time as it pressures the UK government
not to impose a food miles tax.
We have an official government website on climate change, but we may not be doing enough.
On the surface, things look good here. Because of our low population density, even in
Auckland, the country still looks green and the sea looks blue. But we are a long way off sustainability. With the anticipated
arrival of Danish and Irish super-trawlers in the South Pacific, our already-stressed fishing grounds may not last until the
predicted date of 2048.