I have, for the last week, had Leonard Cohen’s ‘Everybody Knows’ stuck in my head. It kind of suits my mood. Or does it frame my mood? Who knows.

I do know that the anthem to unease pounded a little harder between my ears in the last few days after hearing of the NZ Government backdown on their Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Jordan Carter frames the ETS as a reasonable instrument for achieving the Government’s goals, and as something that will stop emissions growing. Which is true. The problem, however, is that this view strips the decision of all context, ignores the history that has led us to this point, and betrays a shocking ignorance of the realities of climate change. The current global emissions trajectory is higher than the worst case scenarios of the IPCC just a few years ago, and puts us on track to a climate trainwreck.

Here are some numbers.

• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in 1992.

• The Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997.

• It is now 2008. New Zealand has the 18th highest emissions per capita. New Zealand’s emissions in every sector continue to grow. In 2005, they were 22.5% higher than in 1990.

• Transport accounts for 19% of NZ’s emissions. It will be left out until at least 2011.

• Agriculture accounts for almost 50% of NZ’s emissions. It will be left out until at least 2013.

• Industry accounts for 8.6% of NZ’s emissions. Many of the worst emitters will be exempted until 2018.
• Some will be exempted until 2020.

Doing something by the mid 2010s is, of course, better than doing nothing. That is to state the obvious.

Since 1999, Labour has consistently refused to enacting measures that would deal with climate change. It has deliberately done nothing at times. And importantly, measures that would shield the public from the cost of potential emissions reductions have been avoided. Just some examples include insulation for New Zealand’s housing stock (which by the way is a serious health issue, and an inditement on Labour) or efficiency standards for vehicles, supporting public transport and bikes, and building revenue neutrality into an ETS or carbon charge. There are a wealth of things which could be done without any real political pain, and potential political gain.

I like what Kathy, of Greenpeace has to say:

for the Government to act all Robin Hood and like it’s doing Betty in Fielding a favour is nothing short of farcical. Make no mistake, the people who’ll suffer the most from this extraordinary backdown are ordinary New Zealanders. Meanwhile who’ll suffer most in the long term from inaction on climate change? Oh, that’s right – that would be everyone.

I’m not asking for Labour to be the Greens. They don’t understand climate change, they have different priorities. I get that. I just wish… for too much apparently.

I sincerely hope the Greens refuse to support this legislation, and give the Government the kick up the ass it so richly deserves.