New Zealand Commits to 90% Renewable Electricity by 2025

New Zealand Commits to 90% Renewable Electricity by 2025
Wellington, New Zealand [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]

In a speech this week, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke announced New Zealand's intention to commit to 90% renewable electricity by 2025, according to a press release issued by the New Zealand government.

The country already uses 70% renewable electricity, primarily hydro- and geothermal power and will continue to increase its use of renewables over the next 20 years.

Eventually, the Prime Minister would like to see the country carbon-neutral. “I have set out the challenge to our nation to become the first truly sustainable nation on earth…to dare to aspire to be carbon neutral," Prime Minister Clarke said.

The Prime Minister also gave a brief outline of further goals, which included a 2040 target of reducing by half per capita emissions from transport and widely introducing electric vehicles. She also stated the goal of achieving a net increase in forest area of 250,000 hectares (617,000 acres) by 2020.

“The long-term benefits of becoming a sustainable nation will spread beyond our national reputation and success in business to benefit all New Zealanders,” Prime Minister Clarke added.

Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks as the government releases the New Zealand Energy Strategy, the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy and the Transport Strategy Implementation Plan. Stay tuned.

Jubilation as UN Approves Indigenous Peoples Declaration

Indigenous peoples around the world are today celebrating the UN General Assembly’s approval of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The declaration was approved by an overwhelming majority in an historic vote in New York today.

The vote is the climax of 22 years of intensive debate and negotiation. Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States voted against the declaration, whilst 143 nations voted in favour and eleven abstained.

Botswana Bushman Jumanda Gakelebone of First People of the Kalahari said today, ‘We would like to say that we are really very happy and thrilled to hear about the adoption of the declaration. It recognises that governments can no longer treat us as second-class citizens, and it gives protection to tribal peoples so that they will not be thrown off their lands like we were.’

Kiplangat Cheruiyot of Kenya’s Ogiek tribe said today, ‘With the adoption of the declaration, the lives of indigenous peoples will be improved on an equal footing with the rest of world citizens.’

Survival’s director Stephen Corry said today, ‘The declaration on indigenous peoples, with its recognition of collective rights, will raise international standards in the same way as the universal declaration on human rights did nearly 60 years ago. It sets a benchmark by which the treatment of tribal and indigenous peoples can be judged, and we hope it will usher in an era in which abuse of their rights is no longer tolerated.’

The declaration recognises the rights of indigenous peoples to ownership of their land and to live as they wish. It also affirms that they should not be moved from their lands without their free and informed consent.

Camping!

I just returned from a rejuvenating camping trip! I went north with friends; we were planning to tent camp but it rained all day, so we rented a cabin in the woods. We really relaxed and had a lot of fun. My friends hadn't met each other before and really enjoyed each others' company. We saw wild turkeys the first day, lots of birds, bugs, and lizards both days. The second day was beautiful and sunny. We swam in a spring and hiked to a lake and ate outdoors; we saw a young stag and took photos. I smell like woodsmoke! The leaves are turning and there were berries and butterflies and dragonflies galore...

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