SHVC challenges Labour on poor environmental record
Members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition will be joining various other groups' protests outside the Labour party's election year congress today, dubbed 'Crash the Labour Party's Party'.
"While the people of New Zealand are calling for action to curb climate change, the Labour Government is busy expanding the dairy industry, building more roads and has done nothing to stop coal mines including the state-owned enterprise Solid Energy's proposed opencast coal mine in Happy Valley, a nationally significant wetland that is prime kiwi habitat, and home to many endangered species," says SHVC Wellington member Emily Bailey.
"It's completely irresponsible. It breaches our international biodiversity obligations, our Kyoto Agreement and it's short sighted in the extreme."
While Labour talks up its green credentials, it has made no real efforts to curb the greenhouse emissions resulting from coal exports, transport and dairy farming.
On February 13th 2007, Helen Clark said: "New Zealand needs to go the extra mile to lower greenhouse gas emissions and increase sustainability; New Zealand has the potential to lead the world in its commitment to renewable energy"
"The reality is that state-owned Solid Energy's coal results in the emission of 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The Save Happy Valley Coalition will continue to target Labour this election year until it starts acting responsibly. Risking the planet's future for a quick buck is unacceptable." says Bailey.
The protest begins at Te Aro Park at noon.
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CONTACTS:
wellington@savehappyvalley.org.nz
Emily Bailey c/- 04 972-7260
NOTES:
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is a collection of groups and individuals from around Aotearoa committed to stopping Solid Energy's proposed open cast coal mine in Happy Valley (Upper Waimangaroa Valley ) on the West Coast. They work to raise awareness on climate change in New Zealand. They are also deeply concerned about the fate of all endangered species under threat from Solid Energy, including Powelliphanta "Augustus" at the nearby Stockton mine. The Coalition is made up of West Coast locals, students, workers, activists and members of the general public from around Aotearoa. The group has a track record of creative protests and lock-ons as well as producing a variety of informative media. They have been occupying Happy Valley since 28th January 2006. More information about the coalition and its history can be found at http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/aboutus.htm
