The protest against offshore drilling does not “highlight the dangers of oil spills”, it represents complete ignorance of oil exploration and discovery, with no consideration of the benefits. Firstly, oil is an indispensible ‘global commodity’. If there is to be exploration, the best place for it is in the remotest part of the world, such as north-west of NZ. Suggests that fracking chemicals present a toxic threat is absurd given the volumes involved. Of course such campaigning is compelling news for those whose contempt for mankind extends back to biblical times.
Notwithstanding the (still uncertain) consequences of the Gulf of Mexico spill, the solution is a better legal framework, not misinformation intended to extort political appeasement under the existing system. In this respect, the protesters will be part of the problem, and will have no impact upon government policy.
I presume the protesters will ride bikes to Castlecliff Beach and plant trees to achieve offsetting carbon abatement credits for the senseless burning of trees on the beach. Most oil spills result from tanker transportation, whether collisions or groundings during storms. The worst spill was caused by the Iraqis in the Gulf War. Well blow-outs are a relatively rare event, and any comparison between development in the Gulf of Mexico (I estimate 50,000 drill holes) compared to around 300 all over NZ is stark. We would be so lucky to have a ‘gusher’. Perhaps they ought to lobby car manufacturers for more fuel-efficient engines. Why don’t they finance engine technology enthusiasts? The potential wealth flowing from a NZ oil discovery would actually allow the government to finance more tangible conservative values.
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