The 2023 United Nations Climate Change report has been released and its pretty sad reading if you are interested in the future of our planet. I'm actually not even concerned about those who are climate deniers, that's ok, because its even people that believe in climate change are still contributing to the situation. I'm sure there are those who either walk or bike their journeys (good on you!!), but there are billions of others who do not.
We are creatures of habit, we do what we do, because its what's we have always done. If you look back 150 years, you will find a different pace of life, a different way of being. NO, I don't want to go back to cold showers and sleeping without a mattress and all the other wonderful things that advancement in the human race has created - hence the problems we are facing. But, what was New Zealand's suicide rate in 1873? I guarantee you it wasn't as high as 21.4 per 100,000 20-24 year old's which is the second highest rate in the OECD with Māori males a staggering 23.9 per 100,000 Māori male population. So something isn't working right....is it....??
We don't even have to go back as far as 150 years ago, what about the 1950s? In 1950, fossil fuel energy use was at 20,139 TWh* and by 2021 the worlds consumption was up to 136,018 TWh. You may think that New Zealand would not require the use of imports such as coal, considering that 82.1% of New Zealand's electricity grid is gained from renewable resources. However, 7.5% of NZ's energy supply still comes from coal and the production of dairy products (cheese, milk powder, butter, milk etc) uses 700,000 tonnes of coal per year. But there is no current alternative fuel that could suddenly replace that ongoing essential use, as it would require another 4 Clyde dams to be built to fully replace NZ's coal energy production.
terrawatt hours* | 1950 | 1970 | 2021 |
Oil | 5,444 | 26,505 | 51,170 |
Gas | 2,092 | 9,615 | 40375 |
Coal | 12,603 | 17,059 | 44,473 |
total Twh energy | 20,139 | 53,179 | 136,018 |
NZ would struggle to build another hydro dam, as the last attempt was in 2012 on the West Coast, and it would only have a smaller generator of energy at 85 MW compared to Clyde Dam's 464 MW capacity. The submission was cancelled after The Department of Conservation appealed the granting of consents and the process was going to go to the Environment Court, but was later cancelled when Meridian Energy pulled out of the project.
So if we can't increase NZ's renewable energy production to 100%, what can we as business owners and consumers do to improve the current climate issue and continued ongoing use of fossil fuels?
Consider a business climate action plan:
It all makes a difference.
1. Does most of your business activity take place at home or in an office? Are you industrial, retail or hospitality?
2. How much travel do you or your team do for business or pleasure, and how far do you travel?
3. Does the core of your operations require the transport of goods, materials or waste to or from your business?
4. Does your business get involved in the design and manufacture of products?
5. Does any manufacturing happen mostly in New Zealand or offshore?
If you don't have the time to deal with the details of the above business climate action plan, then reach out to DPS Consulting to discuss options that might be suitable for your business to take action.
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