The New Zealand Government's climate change legislation has been passed into law.
“The Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill has implications for every household and the potential to change the make-up of the labour force as environmental factors gain increasing importance in business. It will eventually bring all sectors of the economy under a regime which sets limits on the amount of greenhouse gas they can emit. Those that breach their limit will have to buy credits from those that are below their cap. Electricity comes under it in 2010, transport in 2011 and agriculture in 2013.
"Climate Change Minister David Parker launched the third reading debate, saying he was proud New Zealand had risen to meet the greatest challenge facing the world.”
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Parliament Passes Climate Change Bill, The National Business Review, September 10, 2008
Tony,
Not wishing to detract at all from what you have said... But I would simply caution about relying on Wikipedia as a reference source.
“all six major greenhouse gases”.
According to Wikipedia; On earth, the most abundant greenhouse gases are, in order of relative abundance:
* water vapor
* carbon dioxide
* methane
* nitrous oxide
* ozone
* CFCs
Are these the "six major greenhouse gases"?
It goes on to say;
The most important greenhouse gases are:
* water vapor, which causes about 36–70% of the greenhouse effect on Earth. (Note clouds typically affect climate differently from other forms of atmospheric water.)
* carbon dioxide, which causes 9–26%
* methane, which causes 4–9%
* ozone, which causes 3–7%
Of the greenhouse gases emitted by anthropogenic activities, water vapour emission would be the most prolific.
Current state-of-the-art climate models predict that increasing water vapor concentrations in warmer air will amplify the greenhouse effect
Apparently according to the "AGW science" the largest single contributor to the cause of the greenhouse effect on Earth is water vapour. Increasing water vapour concentrations in warmer air will amplify the greenhouse effect they say, but increasing water vapour concentrations by anthropogenic emissions of water vapour will not.
So according to the “AGW science” we should kerb emissions of the minor contributing greenhouse gases and continue increasing emissions of the gas that causes up to 70% of the greenhouse effect- water vapour.
test for link
Louis,
At Wellington airport recently, there was a huge high-tech display, with life-size model of a cow, along with videos and all sorts. They have developed a device that the cow wears, with a tube going past its mouth, with a sensor that measures the % of methane in the cow's breath. Farmers will have to grow grass species that result in lower methane emissions, or face additional taxes.
True story. As you say, a bit frightening.
Tony,
That document you pointed to refers to "all six major greenhouse gases".
I see specific mention of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide. I don't think water vapour is mentioned.
"Over time, the NZ ETS will cover all gases and all sectors, in order to minimise overall costs to the economy and operate with efficiency and equity."
Line 7 here
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2007/0187-1/3.0/DLM1130901.html#DLM1130901
Apparently it is “all sectors, all gases”
I suppose if all the greenies start having cold showers that could cut anthropogenic water vapours a fair bit. Hopefully that will cool things down.
Tony G
Is that what the NZ legislation states explicitly? Regulation of greenhouse gases or CO2 specifically - this is a bit frightening.
Gordon,
Perth ! Good decision - we have a mining boom here and people of your skills are missing. I am in Halls Creek and trying to get an electrical contractor, or any contractor for that matter, is one long hassle. Sooner you lot get over here the better 🙂
"It will eventually bring all sectors of the economy under a regime which sets limits on the amount of greenhouse gas they can emit"
One of the most important greenhouse gases with the largest greenhouse effect is water vapour. What is the limit set for water vapour in NZ, how much they can release?
Does anybody know of scientific journals that examine the causal link between anthropogenic water vapour and global warming and that quantified the extent of this warming?
So, Gordon, you're not a billionaire, as intimated by Louis? 🙂
Neville stated about NZers:
"They are as mad as hatters."
I must agree that it has got pretty sick over here. I have just looked at this site, having seen an ad about it with my electricity bill:
http://www.treepeople.co.nz/Home.mvc/
As the father of a 7 year old, I am horrified at how kids are being targeted by crap like this.