The Country: The Environmental Protection Authority’s Chief Scientist, Dr Jaqueline Rowarth talks about a $1.4 billion annual liability for carbon credits and who should be paying.
Dr Jacqueline Rowarth is the Environmental Protection Authority's Chief Scientist. Today she caught up with The Country's Jamie Mackay to talk about carbon credits.
Greenhouse Gas emissions cost New Zealand $1.4 billion in carbon credits every year. One option to reduce emissions is to plant more trees. Dr Rowarth saysthis idea isn't practical as they take a long time to grow.
Tourism also presents issues according to Dr Rowarth, as the infrastructure needed to support it actually contributes to Greenhouse Gas emissions.
What the world is actually craving is food and that is something New Zealand produces very well says Dr Rowarth, who suggests the way forward is through "efficient cows and sheep".
Finally Jamie asks Dr Rowarth for a quick comment on myrtle rust which she reckons has been around New Zealand for longer than people realise.
