There is a lot of nonsense talked about in the climate change debate. Not so much that we have added to atmospheric carbon because there is little doubt that globally we have. The real concerns are about the political response that has been less than objective. In a submission to the Select Committee considering Emission Trading the following was suggested.

“Agriculture is a major issue. New Zealand’s agriculture is our major export earner. However, while New Zealand farmers are faced with buying carbon credits because our ruminants belch methane into the atmosphere, US farmers are selling carbon credits because their grasslands sequester carbon into the soil. Furthermore, apparently Australian farmers are also able to count their pastures as carbon sinks. (All based on New Zealand farming practice!)

Instead of being apologetic, our exporters could supply UK supermarkets with pastoral scenes captioned “Food from the world’s greenest greenhouse sinks!” We could also remind our tourists, viewing our green and verdant land, that these may be the most effective greenhouse sinks in the world.

This counter to potential trade threats could be branded "Greening Grass" and draw attention to:

• the carbon-sink capacity of our perennial grasses, which not only absorb CO2 but help convert it  to food for the world;

• our scientific and practical experience and expertise in developing pasture grasses; and

• our willingness be a leader in imparting this knowledge to countries who need it, with emphasis on India, China and northerly African states.

In projecting this message to the world, New Zealand could say that whatever we do to try to limit emissions of greenhouse gases will have no effect on the global climate, will limit our ability to export food, and divert our science from further improvements in pasture grass and soil management to less effective areas or to areas where other nations are already concentrating far more resources.

New Zealanders could offer, or sell, this ‘Greening Grass’ technology and know-how to help feed all the people of the world – a problem that will never go away.

The government could adopt this policy as a precursor to any final decisions on emissions trading or taxes, without being accused of ‘doing nothing’ while waiting for the outcome of the Copenhagen Conference and the Australian decisions. Such a policy might even get at least grudging support from the Green Party for whom topsoil enhancement is a long-standing issue.”

It may surprise people to learn that our farmers are not the great emitters some would have us all believe. The carbon cycle is fundamental to life on this planet and fundamental to farming. Measuring one side of the equation and therefore making cows to be the bad guys is not being objective or fair.

It is critical that the nonsense is put to one side we start defending ourselves rather than promoting the fallacy that we are the great international polluters.