Election 2020: Climate change under the spotlight in candidate debate
Covid-19 might be dominating the 2020 general election campaign, but a debate dedicated to climate change tested political hopefuls views on the issue and what they would do to tackle it. The online event, organised by Climate Change and Consciousness Taranaki and Climate Justice Taranaki, with an audience of about 25, was attended by five candidates standing in the New Plymouth seat, namely Glen Bennett (Labour), Rusty Kane (Independent), Kath Lauderdale (Social Credit), Dan Thurston Crow (TOP) and Rowena Wood (Advance NZ). Elliot Blyth, who is a list candidate for the Green Party and based in Wellington, also took part. A notable absentee was Nationals Jonathan Young, who is the partys energy and resources spokesman. He put his apologies in for the event, along with Ada Xiao, from ACT. READ MORE: * Election 2020: New Plymouth candidates take to the floor for first time * Candidates give their views on live animal exports from Port Taranaki * Let's hold an election debate solely on climate change Bennett said collaboration was needed in order for Taranaki to become the clean energy province of New Zealand, and a model for the rest of the world to follow. He pointed to the Taranaki 2050 Roadmap as one avenue to get there, along with leveraging off the work which will come out of Ara Ake, the national new energy centre, which is based in the region. Thurston Crow said climate change was an enormous crisis which had the ability to create fear, along with denial among people, so it was important to work together to address the problem. Meanwhile, Kane pointed his finger at the lack of follow through from the Government regarding Taranakis just transition to a low emissions' economy. I think theyve let us down in a big way, he said. Wood said we needed to push back on consumerism, greed and consumption as a means to fight the effects of climate change. She said the fear messages being sent out about the issue were unhelpful and made it difficult for people to think clearly about it. However, the consensus among all the candidates was there needed to be more urgent action taken to address the issue. When asked about reducing emissions related to transport, Lauderdale described the public transport system in Taranaki as dysfunctional and said it needed to be free, while Wood suggested looking at rail as an option. Bennett said more needed to be done to make electric vehicle uptake more affordable. When asked whether they would support ecocide, or the deliberate destruction of the environment, to be classified as a crime, Lauderdale was an unequivocal supporter, as was Blyth, who said it was essential to hold polluting companies and Governments to account. There was also broad agreement between the six candidates that New Zealand should accept more climate refugees. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, of the Maori Party, and Labours Adrian Rurawhe, who are competing for the Te Tai Hauauru seat were invited but did not respond. New Plymouth candidate Murray Chong, of New Conservative, was also asked to participate but did not attend. However, at the Waitara meet the candidates evening on Monday night, Chong said he was not convinced there was proof of global warming. Those keen to hear what the candidates have to say still have a chance to do so, with several events on the horizon. On Thursday, from 1pm at the St James Church Hall on Lawry St, a meet the candidates debate organised by Grey Power and Positive Ageing Trust, will be held. At 6pm the same day, an event organised by youth group Zeal will take place at The Mayfair. On Monday, October 5, there is a meet the candidates' event at Shining Peak Brewery, which kicks off at 5.30pm.