Five-Point Framework of Collapse-ability:
Ireland vs. New Zealand
rotten egg-ometer
Ireland
- environment 6
- Ireland has had some of the largest greenhouse gas emissions per citizen in the world, resulting “from industrial and commercial, energy, residential, agricultural transport and waste sectors.” Their emissions in 2008 were 67.43 million tonnes of CO2. Ireland is an island, which has given them some environmental advantages for agriculture. Natural resources are natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite. Their agriculture is in: turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, beef, and dairy products. However, “Agriculture is the single largest contributor to the overall emissions, at 27.3% of the total, followed by Energy (power generation and oil refining) at 21.8% and Transport at 21.1%.” Like the rest of the world, they have experienced increased car emissions as more of the country modernizes. Yet in relation to many other countries, Ireland has clean air, water and not too strenuous land destruction.
- climate change 6
- Ireland is experiencing much of the same climate change effects as the rest of the world. which is tied to environmental damage. They have seen a small increase in average temperature, as well as increase in rainfall. With modern reform, a new concern includes high CO2 emissions. Lastly, like other islands, Ireland will be affected by a possible rise in sea level.
- hostile neighbors 8
- As mentioned before, Ireland is an Island, but not relatively isolated.
- Part of the UN and European Union.
- “contributor to numerous international peacekeeping missions, such as in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Liberia (UNIMIL), the Balkans (KFOR and EUFOR), and Chad (EUFOR).”
- “the U.S. and Irish Governments have official exchanges in areas such as medical research and education.”
- On the western end of Europe, and closest to the UK
- Ireland has friendly relations with Canada
- Their neighbors are not hostile, but most likely inconvenienced by their economic troubles
- friendly trade 6
- Ireland has recently seen an economic boom and partial collapse. They went through a high level of industrial and construction development and then suddenly fell. Ireland used to be more agriculture based but is now more focused on industry and international exports.
- export partners: US 20.52%, Belgium 17.78%, UK 16.31%, Germany 5.66%, France 5.56%, Spain 4.19% (2009)
- machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products
- Import partners: UK 35.28%, US 16.87%, Germany 6.76%, Netherlands 5.86%, France 4.76% (2009)
- data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing
- response to environmental problems 8
- EPA Ireland
- “Through our work on climate change issues, we in the EPA are fully committed to helping Ireland to transition to a low carbon and sustainable economy and to working with our stakeholders to achieve this goal.
- 6 goals: (2020 environmental plan)
- Limiting and adapting to climate change
- Clean air
- Protected waters
- Protected soil and biodiversity (native plants and animals)
- Sustainable use of natural resources (water, energy and materials)
- Integration and enforcement
- “EPA responsibility for developing annual national emission projections for GHGs,”
- Adopted a “cap and trade system” where companies/industries have a limit on amount of emissions. They have an emission allowance. (Emissions Trading Scheme)
- through a combination of Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) Licensing, Waste Licensing and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Large industrial and waste
- “Our Climate Change Research Programme (CCRP) co-ordinates and publishes research
- “We are a partner in the CIRCLE27 project, with other European Member States which aims to share the findings of research on climate change impacts as well as organise joint research between countries.
- Observation systems for monitoring the state of the environment
- investment in energy efficient transport
New Zealand
- environment 6
- Agriculture: dairy products, lamb and mutton; wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef; fish
- New Zealand is also an Island (or rather made of 3.) Its isolation and location were beneficial in environmental development.
- It is highly bio-diverse in flora and fauna species.
- In the past century there have been issues with extinct or endangered species. Many are gone or are harmed by foreign species brought from other lands like the brushtail possum and wild rabbits.
- It has temperate forests. NZ used to have denser forest areas, but has recently undergone serious deforestation.
- ⅔ gone
- Fossil fuel and air pollution has become a more recent concern in the past century.
- Their 1990-2009 carbon emissions will not be released until April 15
- climate change 7
- “Named after the Japanese city where it was concluded in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement to address global warming and delay climate change”
- Led by the UN, which sets emission goals for developed countries.
- NZ is obligated to reduce to 1990 emission levels in the 2008-2012 region
- hostile neighbors 9
- New Zealand doesn’t really have many hostile neighbors. If there was reason for concern it would be with China because they are powerful.
- Pro Nuclear disarmament
- Close with many countries, including Australia, Polynesia and Canada. They are generally well founded in international relations.
- When they had the Earthquake at Christchurch, their neighboring countries were quick to help, including Japan.
- friendly trade 7
- Export commodities: dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery
- import commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics
- For Free Trade
- Trade with: Australia, Hong-Kong, Malaysia, China, Thailand....
- “Six of our current top 10 trading partners are in Asia”
- response to environmental problems 6
- Land Use and Carbon Analysis System (LUCAS)
- Monitoring for NZ land usage
- New Zealand has taken recent measures to protect its remaining forested areas but turning them into national parks.
Ireland | New Zealand | |
Environmental Damage | 6 | 6 |
Climate Change | 6 | 7 |
Hostile Neighbors | 7 | 9 |
Friendly Trade | 7 | 7 |
Environmental Response | 8 | 6 |
Ireland -
6.8
33/50
New Zealand -
7
35/50
Review
Ireland and New Zealand are relatively similar in stance. While Ireland has been facing recent economic downturn, both both nations are well established and profitable. Their Island status/geography has given them environmental advantages, while their modern success has lead to some environmental decay.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Canada. Canada-Ireland Relations. IMF, 2009. Web. 29 Mar 2011. <Canada-Ireland Relations>.
Ireland. Climate Change B. Wexfort: EPA, Web. 28 Mar 2011. <https://docs.google.com/a/scienceleadership.org/viewer?url=http://www.epa.ie/downloads/pubs/climatechange/EPA%2520and%2520Climate%2520Change%2520Final.pdf>.
New Zealand. Foreign Relations. newzealand.govt, 2010. Web. 29 Mar 2011. <http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Foreign-Relations/index.php>.
New Zealand. newzealand.govt, 1998. Web. 29 Mar 2011. <http://www.mfe.govt.nz/index.html>.
United States. DC: USA.gov, Web. 28 Mar 2011. <https://www.cia.gov/index.html>.
United States. Background Note: Ireland. DC: USA.gov, Web. 28 Mar 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3180.htm>.