Applying Occam’s razor to carbon forestry in NZ

Authors: Mark Bloomberg
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2022, Issue N.Z.J.For. 67(1) 2022, pp 44, May 2022
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Occam’s razor is the well-known problem-solving principle that simpler explanations and solutions are generally better than more complex ones. It was socalled because it shaved the fuzzy and overly-complex arguments of the medieval scholars who were William of Occam’s contemporaries. Here I attempt to apply Occam’s razor to the complex topic of carbon forestry within the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme. Fortunately, I have a sharp blade handy in the form of a submission to the Productivity Commission in 2017 by my colleagues at Te Kura Ngahere|School of Forestry, David Evison and Euan Mason (see www.productivity.govt.nz/assets/ Submission-Documents/8468ef412c/Sub-027-David- Evison-and-Euan-Mason.pdf). Their submission asked, ‘How do we contribute to reducing global greenhouse gases through a genuine reduction in New Zealand’s emissions?’

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