Thursday 26 October 2006

Regional humanitarian resettlement policy needed

United Future climate change spokesman Gordon Copeland today called on the Government to develop a humanitarian resettlement plan intended to counter the human impact of global warming on the Pacific region.

“In addition to attempts to limit greenhouse gas emissions, thought should be given to the needs of people who may be displaced by a major rise in sea levels,” said Mr Copeland.

“At present there is very little planning in place for the resettlement of people from low-lying countries such as the Tokelaus, Tuvalu and Kiribati, which are all likely to disappear in the event of a rise in sea-levels.

“It is prudent to prepare a robust contingency plan to cater for the thousands who will be physically displaced by such an occurrence.

“It is United Future’s belief that New Zealand should play a full part in developing such a plan in cooperation with other nations in our region,” concluded Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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