Petroleum Development and Environmental Conflict in Aotearoa New Zealand: Texas of the South Pacific

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Petroleum Development and Environmental Conflict in Aotearoa New Zealand: Texas of the South Pacific examines the dilemmas associated with economic growth through the expansion of resource extraction. States seeking to grow their economies through the expansion of resource extraction are forced to cope with the rising influence of transnational corporations on domestic politics and democratic institutions; to mitigate the environmental damage from increased extraction activities; to respond to the mounting evidence which indicates that unconventional oil and gas development practices are harming communities, local environments, and human health; and to manage the international pressures and citizens demands that climate change is addressed through a transition from fossil fuel dependence to a clean-energy economy. Terrence M. Loomis analyzes the circumstances under which environmental opposition to state policies to promote oil and gas developmentin collaboration with the petroleum industry, has lead to far-reaching changes in institutional relations between the state and civil society.

Reviews

This book presents a detailed and compelling argument regarding the way pressures to expand natural resource development can distort political, economic and social processes. By focusing on a developed, democratic state, Loomis moves the debate beyond a tale of exploitation of institutionally weak states.... This book will be of interest to academic and general readers in New Zealand and more broadly, given the global character of the issues examined. * Environmental Politics *
Terrence M. Loomis has written an informative book about oil politics in New Zealand that holds no punches as it calls out government agencies and oil companies alike for their devious tactics to develop so-called unconventional drilling despite the environmental hazards. -- Elana Shever, Colgate University; author of Resources for Reform: Oil and Neoliberalism in Argentina
In this timely and critical investigation, Terrence Loomis offers a play-by-play of state and industry efforts to expedite oil and gas extraction and neutralize resistance. With analytical skill, Loomis takes readers into public meetings, national deliberations, and media depictions on whether to extract or not to extract for oil and gas. This work is an important one for those interested in how political accommodations, regulatory changes, and industry promotions open oil and gas frontiers in democracies despite public concerns and documented environmental risks. -- Patricia Widener, Florida Atlantic University

Author Bio

Terrence M. Loomis is independent researcher and visiting research scholar at the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University.