How inconvenient was the truth? / A week in the Capital's politics
Start from the bottom to get the correct order of the latest issues in this week's politics in the Capital City with The City Council
From: Bryan Pepperell
Sent: Thursday, 2 November 2006 8:26 a.m.
To: Andy Foster; Jack Ruben; pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP: Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz; Nick Dryden; Radio New Zealand; ninetonoon@radionz.co.nz; NZ Herald - Wellington office; tim.pankhurst@dompost.co.nz
Subject: RE: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
Putting the Fish Zoo in a place where we damage the environment is hardly sending an appropriate educative message. Tsunami, sea level rising and policy consistency are all good reasons not to build this fish Zoo at Te Raekaihau Point but more importantly, as was pointed out in the Dompost Letters to the Editor today, we should value our natural heritage.
Cheers
Bryan Pepperell
Wellington City Council
-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Foster
Sent: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 9:23 p.m.
To: Bryan Pepperell; Jack Ruben; pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP: Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz; Nick Dryden
Subject: RE: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
Sea level rise Pepp is forecast at less than a metre from memory - unless we collectively and globally fail to act and major ice sheets collapse. If that happens the fate of a Marine Education Centre would be neither here nor there. Most major cities would end up with large chunks of CBDs under water, Wellington included. That is to say nothing of the other impacts of such a situation, on weather, ocean currents, ecosystems, rainfalls etc etc
The focus should be clearly and squarely on avoiding these things happening. I am delighted that both Government and National have put such a focus on this, and even more so that climate change appears to be becoming main stream. That is cause for hope.
Jack - with respect you were one of the cynics. What's as bad is that when you realised climate change is an issue, you said that you have no idea what to do about it. This is the very big picture issue that politicians should be focusing on - not traffic engineering details or brochures - if you have no idea of how to respond to real issues I suggest why not move aside and let people who do have some constructive ideas have a crack at doing something ? You might also wish to reconsider your voting because in recent months you have consistently voted for things that would on a local scale make climate change worse.
Most obvious examples I recall immediately are your support for Transmission Gully and relaxing CBD parking rules.
Back to the MEC. I remain of the view that it has significant benefit for tourism (and if the tourism industry collapses Pepp - again the MEC will be a drop in the ocean), but most importantly for education. Wide understanding of the damage that we have done and are doing to our environment (even in so called 'clean green' NZ) is critical if we are going to generate the public and political will to actually do something to heal the planet, locally, nationally and globally.
Regards
Andy
-----Original Message-----
From: Bryan Pepperell
Sent: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 5:22 p.m.
To: Jack Ruben; pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP:
Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz; Nick Dryden
Subject: RE: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
Even more disturbing is the denial of rising sea levels and the projected impact on areas such as Te Raekaihau point. Why should public money be put at risk in such an irresponsible proposal. After all Council requires people to spend money earthquake proofing their buildings.
Cheers
-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Ruben
Sent: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 4:58 p.m.
To: Bryan Pepperell; pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP:
Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz
Subject: RE: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
All,
I commend and admire Pepp for continuing to bring the issue of Climate Change before this Council and the public.
Although there may be some minor issues of detail on which he and I may not be in entire agreement, I unreservedly commend and support his consistency in keeping this issue before us.
Only a few short months ago, "Climate Change" was a subject of ridicule and derision in WCC, and by a vast majority of people.
Suddenly, it is the 'fashionable' thing to support, and I hope those who were so cynical before, will now equally strongly support and ensure this council does the right thing!
Cheers,
J.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bryan Pepperell [mailto:Bryan.Pepperell@wcc.govt.nz]
Sent: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 9:41 a.m.
To: pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP: Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz
Subject: FW: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
Media statement
Recent news about climate change and the political responses from UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and the former World Bank economist Sir Nicholas Stern have brought the problem / crisis into sharper focus. They are now joined by Prime Minister Helen Clark.
For some time myself and Jack Ruben have been calling for a rethink on Council's economic strategy, with particular reference to the unenlightened proposal to build a Marine Education Centre ( Fish Zoo ) on the coast at Te Raekaihau Point. The proposal is said to be a tourist attraction but how will tourists reach this new zoo that is to be built on our natural open space? The arguments for its placement and existence fly in the face of the global community's immediate environmental concerns to reduce carbon discharges into the atmosphere and to protect that which is our natural heritage.
It is understandable that a developer friendly council would support such a proposal but it is an absolute scandal that so called Greens on Council are supporting this vandalism of our coastal land. They have also failed to acknowledge the problem of carbon emissions caused by visitors who travel by air, bus and car to this new centre. However the stupidity doesn't stop with Council as the Government has assisted such proposals with the continued building of more roads such as the by-pass in Wellington, that was promoted by the Mayor and Council.
Given the structural changes that are needed to survive as a planet it is not possible to have economic development along with sustainability.
Sustainable development is a contradiction of terms. If we are serious about making the necessary changes we need a lot more consistency in policy and a cessation of the double speak that is so common in our political utterances.
Bryan Pepperell
Wellington City Councillor
From: Bryan Pepperell
Sent: Thursday, 2 November 2006 8:26 a.m.
To: Andy Foster; Jack Ruben; pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP: Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz; Nick Dryden; Radio New Zealand; ninetonoon@radionz.co.nz; NZ Herald - Wellington office; tim.pankhurst@dompost.co.nz
Subject: RE: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
Putting the Fish Zoo in a place where we damage the environment is hardly sending an appropriate educative message. Tsunami, sea level rising and policy consistency are all good reasons not to build this fish Zoo at Te Raekaihau Point but more importantly, as was pointed out in the Dompost Letters to the Editor today, we should value our natural heritage.
Cheers
Bryan Pepperell
Wellington City Council
-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Foster
Sent: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 9:23 p.m.
To: Bryan Pepperell; Jack Ruben; pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP: Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz; Nick Dryden
Subject: RE: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
Sea level rise Pepp is forecast at less than a metre from memory - unless we collectively and globally fail to act and major ice sheets collapse. If that happens the fate of a Marine Education Centre would be neither here nor there. Most major cities would end up with large chunks of CBDs under water, Wellington included. That is to say nothing of the other impacts of such a situation, on weather, ocean currents, ecosystems, rainfalls etc etc
The focus should be clearly and squarely on avoiding these things happening. I am delighted that both Government and National have put such a focus on this, and even more so that climate change appears to be becoming main stream. That is cause for hope.
Jack - with respect you were one of the cynics. What's as bad is that when you realised climate change is an issue, you said that you have no idea what to do about it. This is the very big picture issue that politicians should be focusing on - not traffic engineering details or brochures - if you have no idea of how to respond to real issues I suggest why not move aside and let people who do have some constructive ideas have a crack at doing something ? You might also wish to reconsider your voting because in recent months you have consistently voted for things that would on a local scale make climate change worse.
Most obvious examples I recall immediately are your support for Transmission Gully and relaxing CBD parking rules.
Back to the MEC. I remain of the view that it has significant benefit for tourism (and if the tourism industry collapses Pepp - again the MEC will be a drop in the ocean), but most importantly for education. Wide understanding of the damage that we have done and are doing to our environment (even in so called 'clean green' NZ) is critical if we are going to generate the public and political will to actually do something to heal the planet, locally, nationally and globally.
Regards
Andy
-----Original Message-----
From: Bryan Pepperell
Sent: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 5:22 p.m.
To: Jack Ruben; pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP:
Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz; Nick Dryden
Subject: RE: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
Even more disturbing is the denial of rising sea levels and the projected impact on areas such as Te Raekaihau point. Why should public money be put at risk in such an irresponsible proposal. After all Council requires people to spend money earthquake proofing their buildings.
Cheers
-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Ruben
Sent: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 4:58 p.m.
To: Bryan Pepperell; pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP:
Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz
Subject: RE: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
All,
I commend and admire Pepp for continuing to bring the issue of Climate Change before this Council and the public.
Although there may be some minor issues of detail on which he and I may not be in entire agreement, I unreservedly commend and support his consistency in keeping this issue before us.
Only a few short months ago, "Climate Change" was a subject of ridicule and derision in WCC, and by a vast majority of people.
Suddenly, it is the 'fashionable' thing to support, and I hope those who were so cynical before, will now equally strongly support and ensure this council does the right thing!
Cheers,
J.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bryan Pepperell [mailto:Bryan.Pepperell@wcc.govt.nz]
Sent: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 9:41 a.m.
To: pm@ministers.govt.nz; Kerry Prendergast; GRP: Councillors; chrislaidlaw@paradise.net.nz; ian.buchanan@gw.govt.nz; aking@ministers.govt.nz; marian.hobbs@parliament.govt.nz
Cc: Nick Churchouse (DPT); Julie Jacobson (DPT); paul.mulrooney@dompost.co.nz
Subject: FW: Climate change and Council's Economic Development policies
Media statement
Recent news about climate change and the political responses from UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and the former World Bank economist Sir Nicholas Stern have brought the problem / crisis into sharper focus. They are now joined by Prime Minister Helen Clark.
For some time myself and Jack Ruben have been calling for a rethink on Council's economic strategy, with particular reference to the unenlightened proposal to build a Marine Education Centre ( Fish Zoo ) on the coast at Te Raekaihau Point. The proposal is said to be a tourist attraction but how will tourists reach this new zoo that is to be built on our natural open space? The arguments for its placement and existence fly in the face of the global community's immediate environmental concerns to reduce carbon discharges into the atmosphere and to protect that which is our natural heritage.
It is understandable that a developer friendly council would support such a proposal but it is an absolute scandal that so called Greens on Council are supporting this vandalism of our coastal land. They have also failed to acknowledge the problem of carbon emissions caused by visitors who travel by air, bus and car to this new centre. However the stupidity doesn't stop with Council as the Government has assisted such proposals with the continued building of more roads such as the by-pass in Wellington, that was promoted by the Mayor and Council.
Given the structural changes that are needed to survive as a planet it is not possible to have economic development along with sustainability.
Sustainable development is a contradiction of terms. If we are serious about making the necessary changes we need a lot more consistency in policy and a cessation of the double speak that is so common in our political utterances.
Bryan Pepperell
Wellington City Councillor
posted by pepptalk at 5:07 PM
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