Summarised by Centrist
Bryan Leyland, a power systems engineer with over 60 years of experience and 25 years studying climate change, argues that Green Party members and others are out of touch with the latest climate information.
“They really need to do their homework and talk to people who understand past climate, the IPCC technical reports, the limitations of climate models and the New Zealand power system,” Leyland asserts.
Leyland points out that New Zealand’s efforts to reduce emissions will have negligible effects globally.
“Our only sensible option is to adapt to our ever-changing climate, and stop squandering money on a futile attempt to control it,” he argues.
Leyland criticises the notion of 1.5°C “tipping points” and attributes recent weather disasters to inadequate infrastructure rather than climate change.
Disputing the Green Party’s claims about diminishing food production, Leyland notes that increased CO2 levels have boosted agricultural productivity by more than 10%.
He also argues, given its futility, that New Zealand should either opt out of the Paris Agreement or, “like the majority of countries that have signed it, ignore it.”
According to Leyland, the Green Party’s agenda will harm New Zealand’s economy, making electricity more expensive and less reliable, and increasing global emissions by relying on imported goods made with coal-fired electricity.
“Poor people will suffer most,” he warns.
Leyland concludes that open debate on climate change is essential, as “the science is NOT settled.”
