Climate change has become an increasing concern over recent years as New Zealanders have come to accept that the trusty old "it won't happen to me" adage doesn't apply to this particular problem. Thanks to our first Clean Energy Guide, and increased media coverage of the issue, people have also gained a greater understanding of the link between how we source our energy and climate change. We can no longer think about our energy choices without considering the impact on the climate.
The energy scene in New Zealand has evolved rapidly over the last few years. In 2004, New Zealand saw its first major coal-fired power station proposal in 30 years. Mighty River Power wanted to reboot the old Marsden B power station in Northland on coal. Meanwhile three other coal stations were waiting in the wings.
Thanks to a major public campaign against Marsden B by Greenpeace and consumer groups, including harnessing consumer power through the last Clean Energy Guide, Marsden B was stopped in March 2007. With growing awareness and concern about climate change and a price on greenhouse pollution imminent, the other coal proposals have disappeared off the horizon.
Many companies are now pursuing renewable energy. But we're not there yet.
There are many gas projects looming on the horizon, and while gas is not as greenhouse polluting as coal, it still contributes to climate change.
Greenpeace's report New Zealand Energy Revolution: How to prevent climate chaos LINK demonstrates how we can reach a 100% renewable electricity supply by 2025 by developing resources such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass (plant matter). New Zealand already generates about 60% of its electricity from renewable sources.
But that means not building any more coal OR gas fired power stations. We also need to be making plans now to phase out the only major existing coal station - Genesis' Huntly station, and eventually phase out all remaining gas stations. If we build more gas stations we won't reach our 100% renewable electricity target by 2025.
Getting smarter with energy use
We also need to get smarter about how we use energy. Electricity demand increases by about 2.5% every year and this can't go on forever. We'll eventually reach our environmental limits. New Zealand is one of the least energy efficient countries in the OECD so have a lot of improvements to make. See the Saving Energy section of this website.
Local electricity generation
We also need to develop a more diverse electricity system with electricity generated closer to where it is.used. This means less energy loss as electricity is moved from one place to another. Smaller community-owned projects could be developed with the electricity and financial benefits of that generation staying in the community. This also means more local control over what happens in any particular area.
Another part of the solution is more household generation, such as through installing a photovoltaic cell (solar panel) on your roof. Choosing a company that offers net metering makes this option more economic. Net metering allows you to feed the electricity that you generate above your needs back into the grid and be paid for it.
Wind
New Zealand has been described as the "Saudi Arabia of wind" - we have one of the best wind energy resources in the world. We have enough potential wind energy to produce three times our present annual power generation according to a report by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
For more information on wind check out www.yes2wind.co.nz
(1) Review of New Zealand's Wind Energy Potential to 2015", May 2001, a report prepared for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
DOWNLOADS:
New Zealand Energy Revolution: How to prevent climate chaos
The power and appeal of wind (PDF)
Coal
Coal is the dirtiest of all fossil fuels and one of the most polluting sources of energy. When burned it emits 72% more carbon dioxide (the main cause of climate change) than gas.
Coal is a toxic cocktail and burning it releases a wide range of heavy metals like mercury, cadmium and lead, cancer-causing chemicals like dioxin, smog-forming nitrogen oxides, acid-forming sulphur pollution and fine particulates which pose a threat to human health.
Clean coal? Yeah right.
The coal industry misleadingly claims that it can now burn coal "cleanly". In fact, so-called "clean coal" methods just shift pollutants from one form of waste to another. Furthermore, ways to deal with climate-changing carbon dioxide pollution through capturing and storing the gas underground won't be economically or environmentally viable for another 50 years, according to leading world experts.
DOWNLOADS:
Dirty old coal has no place in a sustainable energy future (PDF)
The Environmental Impacts of Coal (PDF)
'Clean Coal' technology (PDF)
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