Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Daily Digest: June 17, 2020

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When it comes to climate change not all gases are created equal.
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Carbon dioxide, which comes from the cars we drive, the planes we fly and the factories and power plants that burn coal and gas is the most dangerous because it stays for thousands of years, warming the planet.

Methane and nitrous oxide released by livestock have much shorter lives, measured in decades.

There is an argument coming from primary sector groups such as Beef + Lamb that allowing fossil fuel emitters such as airlines to offset their pollution by planting more trees is simply letting them off the hook – they have no incentive to radically change the way they operate.

At the same time they worry productive farmland will be engulfed by a sea of pines. They sought a change in the Emissions Trading Reform Bill to put a limit on the use of forestry offset but did not prevail. Time will tell if their predictions come true.

Emissions rules disappoint

Law changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme have been greeted with a chorus of disapproval from primary sector groups that argue they will result in a sea of exotic pine planting on productive farmland.

Dairy prices up

Prices at the latest global dairy auction lifted by 1.9% overall, against market expectations, with whole milk powder the largest riser at 2.2%. The only product to lose ground was butter, slipping 1%.

Land use changes 

The Action for Healthy Waterways plan will likely see lower farm emissions, depending on the model adopted and how communities and councils deal with the issue in their regions.

Getting the right perspective

Northland dairy farmers the Meyers believe it’s important for farmers to get away from work regularly and to put life back in perspective – whether it’s to play sport or catch up with friends.

NZ-UK free trade talks begin

The stakes are high in New Zealand’s bid to clinch a free-trade agreement with Britain, which is our sixth largest trading partner with a two-way trade of almost $6 billion last year.

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