no such thing as ‘soft’ targets

To have any realistic chance of meeting global targets of 40% by 2020; there can be no such thing as ‘soft’ targets. Target number one; must be the countries contributing the most to greenhouse gases per capita. This paints an ominous picture to most countries in the OECD. Within these countries needing to make drastic changes, the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions must be targeted first. In New Zealand the choices are especially grim. New Zealand must reduce the number of farm animals and plant more native trees. (and improve the rail network)

How to achieve this feat is not necessarily difficult if action is taken today. It is all remarkably easy in some ways. Taxes are introduced on all sources of greenhouse gas emissions. For example take the average animal farmer. They are taxed per farm animal on a strictly scientific basis. Farmers simply pass this ‘fart’ tax on directly to the buyers.
It goes without saying, that doubling the price of meat is likely to have a dramatic impact on demand. Animal farmers by necessity will need to reduce supply and will face potential economic hardship. However the ‘fart’ taxes collected are used solely to compensate animal farmers. Taxes collected are ploughed back into suitable research and development. Many farmers are encouraged to diversify. For example, suitable land may be brought by the government and replanted in native trees.

Ministry for the Environment (NZ) does not have the solution