Disaster -> religion -> consumerism -> environmental destruction

As the incidence of natural disasters increases over the coming years there will be a similar rise in the number of people turning to religion for explanation and understanding. Although the earthquakes of the last two days cannot be attributed to human environmental destruction, the coming increase in incidence and severity of extreme weather events as a result of climate change can be.

The seemingly inexplicable loss of life that will result from these disasters will drive people to seek solace in religion and spirituality. Unfortunately, the Western world's fervent belief in consumerism as its modern day form of religion will only cause more environmental destruction as humanity rapes and pillages Earth of all its resources. So long as we equate happiness with material belongings, this mutually affirming and perpetuating cycle will continue.

The root cause of humanity's woes is ethical yet the very foundation of our society is based on a purely unethical and irrational treatment of nature as the 'other'. If climate change is not the final proof off this fact, there will be another environmental disaster waiting in the wings.

Rugby or the environment?

As you may or may not be aware, the National-led government's recent budget signalled yet another hit for the environment in this country - across-the-board funding cuts. All under the guise of 'tightening our economic belt' as a result of the recession, the following programmes have all been cut:
* Funding for the the Enviroschools Foundation national team who coordinate the Enviroschools programme in 670 schools throughout the country;

* Education for Sustainability Advisory Services (EfS Advisors who provide curriculum support for teachers wanting to integrate EfS into their classes);

* Matauranga Taiao (EfS support for Kura Kaupapa Maori);

* The Environmental Education Guidelines Review Project (technical Environmental Education/EfS support for teachers in schools);

* Adult Community Education (provision of community-based life-long learning classes - ie "night schools" - which fund sustainable living skills courses);

* Householder Sustainability Programme "What's your next step?" (coordinated by the Ministry for the Environment);

* Public Place Recycling Programme (funded by the Ministry for the Environment);

* Govt3 Programme (coordinated by the Ministry for the Environment to deliver leadership in sustainability practices by government agencies);

* The Sustainable Business Network (part-funded by the Ministry for the Environment).

While I am unsure of the economic 'savings' made by such cuts, it is worth remembering that just last week (15 June) John Key made an executive decision to contribute $20 million towards buying two warehouses at the Auckland port to be renovated to house and entertain rich, drunken rugby supporters in the 2011 world cup. While funding of the abolished programmes surely amounts to much more than the $20 million being spent on Auckland's waterfront, my question is what the long term cost will be for our environment, economy, culture and society in losing such progressive and future thinking projects as those Mr Key and his mates have slashed?

NZ's road of national significance

Before the 2008 election Dr Nick Smith repeated ad nauseam that environmental policy required a balancing of the environment with the economy. The recent work of the National-led government shows not even a hint of balance as environmental issues have been thrown, quite literally, by the wayside.

On 11 March 2009 the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Issues (Hon. Dr Nick Smith) reported that the previous government had left a $26 million hole in funding for the Ministry for the Environment (see his speech here). He then cited this funding shortfall as the reason for cutting jobs at MfE, abolishing the Bioethics Council, and doing away with the Carbon Neutral Public Service and Govt3 projects. Now, less than 10 days later, the Minister of Transport, Hon. Steven Joyce, has announced a $4.5 billion increase in spending for road building (cited in The Press 20/3/09). Of course, it should come as little surprise that the funding of public and active transport projects has been slashed in the process.

It seems the only road of 'national significance' at present is that one that leads to run-away climate change and environmental destruction.