Mike's Minute: There are lessons for us to learn from this war

About this video

• Video Title: Mike's Minute: There are lessons for us to learn from this war
• Channel: Newstalk ZB
• Speakers: Mike Hosking
• Duration: 00:02:48

Overview

In this "Mike's Minute" segment, Mike Hosking discusses the lessons New Zealand should learn from the recent war, particularly regarding its reliance on fossil fuels and plastics. He argues that despite ideological stances on climate change, economic realities and practical necessities demonstrate the continued importance of these resources for industry and daily life.

Key takeaways

• Economic Reality vs. Ideology: The war has highlighted the global dependence on fossil fuels, showing that even left-leaning parties can acknowledge their economic necessity, as seen with oil revenue in Canadian provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan.
• Fossil Fuels' Practicality: While not necessarily liked, fossil fuels are essential for powering industries, transportation (especially for carrying goods), and general economic activity, as they "work" and "pay the bills."
• Inadequacy of Current Green Solutions: Current renewable energy sources are sufficient for power generation (90-95% in New Zealand), but not for all applications. Electric vehicles are not yet suitable for all needs, particularly for carrying heavy loads or for heavy industry.
• Ubiquity of Plastics: Despite efforts to reduce plastic use (e.g., straws, bags), plastics are fundamental to many essential items, including infrastructure like pipes, indicating a deeper reliance than often acknowledged.
• War as a Wake-Up Call: The conflict has served as a stark reminder that actions do not always align with words, and that a pragmatic acceptance of current resource realities is necessary for life and the economy to function effectively.