The Climate Debate Tues 7pm
Event at Auckland Uni and live streamed, the major political parties debate the climate with Rod Oram as MC.
Environment
Greens: Fuel pipeline debacle puts environment at risk
Despite assurances from industry and council, there are still unanswered questions about the environmental impact at the Ruakaka oil leak.
Farm protest mad cows and climate change
The farmers’ protest in Morrinsville today unfortunately shows that we have made no progress in the 15 years since Bill English attacked the wrong PM with his “mad cow” insult. Meanwhile the effects of climate change have got worse, our options for dealing with it have got fewer, and the Nats don’t want you to know about $19bn of NZ property at risk.
Closing the loops on oil spills and broken pipe lines
This isn’t what we meant by keep it in the ground.
Fear and loathing in Aotearoa
It is difficult to understand National’s election campaign. Instead of campaigning on what they have achieved and what they plan to do they are using fear of Labour to try and win the election. And saying some palpably untrue things on the way.
Mike Joy honoured and Ecan occupied
The inaugural Critic and Conscience of Society Award is given to Dr Mike Joy, and protestors take their protest to Environment Canterbury .
Lets talk about tax policy
Tax is emerging as the big issue of this campaign. How valid are National’s claims that Labour will introduce a variety of new taxes and what has National’s record been like? Update: in a smart tactical move Labour has promised no new taxes will be introduced until after the next election.
A meeting in Wanaka
Ad reports on a recent meeting in Wanaka where David Parker addressed farmers face to face on Labour’s water policy.
US presidential campaign heats up along with the hurricanes
The first contender has declared, albeit so far in a humorous manner. Less humorous has been the hurricanes that have been hitting southern states this season. You can understand why the oil industries anti-scientist Scott Pruitt that Trump put in charge of the EPA doesn’t want to talk about it.
I’m off to vote today
Voting has opened for advance votes and the expectation is that it will be pretty heavy prior to polling day over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be out there voting today for Jacinda Arden as my local MP, and for the Greens as my party vote.
Plant trees, love NZ: the Greens’ bold Climate Protection Plan
The Greens have a comprehensive, detailed plan for NZ on what to do about climate change that works through transforming the economy, ending poverty, and protecting the environment.
Labour’s climate change policy – nuclear free moment
Jacinda Ardern has released Labour’s climate change policy – including zero net carbon emissions by 2050. Jacinda has called climate change “my generation’s nuclear-free moment”.
Tick tock.
Relentlessly positive will help us change the government. Then what?
Outsourcing Compassion
They starve and freeze and rot among themselves, but they beg, steal and rob among their betters.
Clean Green New Zealand – 100% Pure Bullshit
For some years now campaign groups such as Greenpeace have been ringing alarm bells about the deteriorating quality – and curiously diminishing volume – of New Zealand’s fresh water.
The Green Party plans to protect marine mammals and ecosystems
In Government the the Greens will create a blue whale sanctuary and a local ecotourism industry – to replace seabed mining and oil and gas.
Tegg Talk – Second Climate Change Report Withheld By Government
Denis Tegg reports that the Government is hiding a second critical report on climate change until after the election.
Greens announce plan to turn trash into cash
The Green Party today announced a progressive plan to protect our oceans and the places we love with a ban on plastic bags, refunds on drink containers, a phase-out of plastic packaging, and a commitment to sending zero waste to landfill by 2050.
Greens commit to Zero Carbon Act in first 100 days
“The Act will mean that climate targets are legally binding, and the Government will be obliged to have a detailed plan about exactly how it will meet those targets, detail that has been desperately missing under National. This is what real action on climate change looks like.”
Climate change and transport – the Greens’ integrated policy
Designing policy for a low carbon world and good lives, the Greens are standing strong in the need to act now on climate change.
The Green Party’s Wellington Transport Plan
The Green Party will save families and students money, reduce pollution, and make it easier to get around Wellington.
Light Rail no Panacea for Wellington transport
In just a couple of month’s time the Greater Wellington Regional will start an $11m project to dismantle the trolley bus system. Council Tramways Union Vice President Chris Morley talks about why light rail for Wellington is unlikely to ever happen, and why it doesn’t need to.
Wellington’s Trolley Buses – why they should stay
Trolley buses make sense for the environment and for people who drive them. But in just a couple of month’s time the Greater Wellington Regional will start an $11m project to dismantle the trolley bus system. Council Tramways Union Vice President Chris Morley writes about why this is a huge mistake.
National’s Record On The Environment – Abysmal
In the style of how John Key’s contribution to the truth was discussed, lets take a wee look at National’s record on the environment
Greens commit to Tauranga – Hamilton – Auckland passenger rail service
National has let regional rail services rust away but the Greens in government will restore rail as the backbone of New Zealand’s transport system, for freight and for people
NZ Super Fund divests from high risk fossil fuels
350 Aotearoa and the Green Party on the $950 million removal from high-risk fossil fuel investments.
Hope for Pike River families
Most major political parties apart have agreed to a commitment which would set up a government agency to take over Pike River Mine and reclaim the miners’ bodies. Naturally the exception is National – isolated on this issue prior to the election….
Labour’s policies
A list of Labour’s announced policies to date and an easy way to compare them to other parties’ policies.
NRT: National resorts to racism on water
I/S at No Right Turn: ”
This isn’t a “Pandora’s box”. The model for an easy, full and final settlement to resolve this exists, and iwi are keen. What is lacking is goodwill from the government to sign it. And Finlayson knows all this – so he is actively trying to mislead the New Zealand public about it, trying to appeal to the racism of rednecks in order to protect the stolen “rights” of a privileged few”.
The parties on science
There’s an interesting piece by Peter Griffin over at Sciblogs on various parties’ positions on science in NZ. Not many Kiwis vote on the basis of science – and that’s one of our problems.
Labour’s water policy – Clean rivers for future generations
Labour has announced its water policy. Details include higher swimming water quality standards, a work task force to get young people off the dole replanting riperian margins and charges for commercial consumers with the royalties being paid to regional councils.
ACT wants to subdivide the Waitakere Ranges (or at least the foothills)
Act has announced a policy that would undermine current protection given to the Waitakere Ranges. If it gets a chance …
Labour’s Auckland Transport announcement
Labour has announced its Auckland Transport policy.
National’s Auckland Transport announcement
In an attempt to take the thunder away from Labour’s Auckland Transport announcement National’s offer was leaked this week to the Herald. But it is uninspiring, and shows a continued commitment to roading as providing a solution.
Climate Change actions for the middle classes
It’s time to put our money and resources where our hearts and minds and values are.
Blind to the facts on Auckland rail
Ben Ross at The Spinoff “The government’s continued support of the road freight industry in preference to expanding the role of rail, in the face of the data in this report, makes a complete mockery of its claim to prudent economic management. It makes, instead, a pretty good case for incompetence, or cronyism, or both.”