TY - JOUR
T1 - Why New Zealand must rapidly halve its greenhouse gas emissions
AU - Metcalfe, Scott
AU - Woodward, Alistair
AU - Macmillan, Alexandra
AU - Baker, Michael
AU - Howden-Chapman, Philippa
AU - Lindsay, Graeme
AU - Hales, Simon
AU - Sinclair, David
AU - Jaine, Richard
AU - Springford, Liz
AU - Holmes, Andrew
AU - Laking, George
AU - Jones, Rhys
AU - Carr, Harriette
AU - Edwards, Richard
AU - Shaw, Caroline
AU - Wells, Susan
AU - Hosking, Jamie
AU - Forde, Andrea
AU - Bismark, Marie
AU - Palmer, Stephen
AU - Keating, Gay
AU - Simpson, Jenny
AU - Highton, Rachel
AU - Dhar, Divya
AU - Kane, Penny
PY - 2009/10/9
Y1 - 2009/10/9
N2 - New Zealand must commit to substantial decreases in its greenhouse gas emissions, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change on human health, both here and internationally. We have the fourth highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the developed world. Based on the need to limit warming to 2°C by 2100, our cumulative emissions, and our capability to mitigate, New Zealand should at least halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (i.e. a target of at least 40% less than 1990 levels). This target has a strong scientific basis, and if anything may be too lenient; reducing the risk of catastrophic climate change may require deeper cuts. Short-term economic costs of mitigation have been widely overstated in public debate. They must also be balanced by the far greater costs caused by inertia and the substantial health and social benefits that can be achieved by a low emissions society. Large emissions reductions are achievable if we mobilise New Zealand society and let technology follow the signal of a responsible target.
AB - New Zealand must commit to substantial decreases in its greenhouse gas emissions, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change on human health, both here and internationally. We have the fourth highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the developed world. Based on the need to limit warming to 2°C by 2100, our cumulative emissions, and our capability to mitigate, New Zealand should at least halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (i.e. a target of at least 40% less than 1990 levels). This target has a strong scientific basis, and if anything may be too lenient; reducing the risk of catastrophic climate change may require deeper cuts. Short-term economic costs of mitigation have been widely overstated in public debate. They must also be balanced by the far greater costs caused by inertia and the substantial health and social benefits that can be achieved by a low emissions society. Large emissions reductions are achievable if we mobilise New Zealand society and let technology follow the signal of a responsible target.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70449498773&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 19859094
AN - SCOPUS:70449498773
SN - 1175-8716
VL - 122
SP - 72
EP - 95
JO - New Zealand Medical Journal
JF - New Zealand Medical Journal
IS - 1304
ER -
