On Tuesday, Oct. 2022, the prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, confirmed in a press release that the country would push a proposal that institutes a methane tax on the agricultural sector. The proposal has come under heavy fire from the agricultural community as well as local community members.
In an Instagram post made by Ardern she wrote, “What has been produced as a result of working together is a world first – a plan to price agricultural emissions but to have a system that works farm by farm so that our farmers and producers have the power and incentives to reduce emissions.”
These incentives include the incorporation of innovative technology, payments for farmers that meet emissions requirements and “being first movers” in the agricultural shift towards sustainable productions, as stated by Jacinda Ardern in a press release.
In the comment section under the Instagram post mentioned previously, locals wrote, “This is madness, leave our farmers alone,” and, “Farmers are happy to do their bit, but I think it’s a step too far. How are other industries and our Air industry helping with these emissions?” But is this vehement opposition valid?
Throughout the fight against climate change, we will all have to make changes that are difficult. Whether that be changing diets, reducing plastic consumption, shopping more sustainably or calling on politicians to support regulatory climate legislation.
However, throughout the process of making these changes we must remember that all voices and opinions must be heard. In every instance where the government pushes to either have more control over or more involvement in agriculture, or similar industries, the response is not welcoming. This is because these governmental moves don’t often involve those who are actively working in the agricultural sector.
The outpouring of dislike for this new tax should be met with a desire to better understand why the methane tax is so appalling to the community. By doing this, the New Zealand government will be able to make beneficial compromises that not only address the needs of climate regulation, but also the needs of their local ranchers and farmers. This method should also be utilized by all nations facing contentious topics, like wolves in Idaho, water rights in the west, animal rights in the U.S and England and abortion in countries that have made it illegal.
Like the U.S., New Zealand’s primary source of methane emissions is the agricultural sector. 27% of methane emissions in the U.S comes from enteric fermentation, or cow burps. With 22.4% of New Zealand’s emissions coming from the same source, according to the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions Center. This is a large quantity being released by one industry. 30% of contributors to global warming is methane, which happens to be 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In order to address climate change and steps to prevent catastrophic events, like Hurricane Ian or the unprecedented flooding in Pakistan, these major methane producers must evolve.
New Zealand and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have constantly impressed. Whether it is COVID-19 responses, women’s rights, indigenous community’s recognition or climate action, the country has had numerous successes. The controversy surrounding the methane tax will not be easily overcome, but if successful, New Zealand will be paving the way for other countries to follow suit.
Mackenzie Davidson can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @mackenzie_films