Kyoto Liability Wiped Out By Trees Says Nick Smith | News | Guide2.co.nz

Wellington, July 27 NZPA - Fears of a billion dollar bill under New Zealand's climate change obligations have been wiped out by a discovery that there are more trees than people thought.

Climate Change Minister Nick Smith said new data showed that New Zealand had sufficient forests to offset increases in emissions since 1990 to meet Kyoto Protocol obligations.

How to pull the plug

How exactly did Vanessa Farquharson find herself without a fridge, eating only locally-grown food in the middle of winter and showering with lukewarm water while washing her hair with baking soda and vinegar?

It all started with Al Gore and a relentless wave of bad environmental news two years ago. Overwhelmed by an onslaught of reports about the impacts of climate change and global warming, Farquharson began to think she had to do something to tackle the "dire situation" of the planet.

"My beliefs and values weren't really in line with my behaviour," said the 30-year-old arts writer with the National Post in Toronto.