The letter of our Co-Chair to the CEO of Cawthron Institute about oil and gas exploration – December 2023
“Volker Kuntzsch,
CEO, Cawthron Institute.
Dear Mr. Kuntszch,
I’m writing to you in my capacity as Co-Chair of Nelson Tasman Climate Forum, and as a Friend of Cawthron. (Thanks very much for today’s cheering and informative message to Friends of Cawthron.)
I’d like to support the position of recently retired Cawthron scientist, Jim Sinner, as expressed in Saturday’s Nelson Mail. Cawthron clearly identifies itself with protection of the environment and with acting on climate change. It’s hard to imagine that it could be induced to serve the interests of those whose activities are despoiling the planet for future generations, such as exploring the seabed for more oil and gas – perhaps this barely needs mentioning. But it would be a strong and helpful statement to declare that to be the case. Science for the public good cannot be co-opted for biosphere-damaging purposes. It strengthens everyone’s arm to know that our science institutions are aligned with this principle.
Joanna Santa Barbara“.