Donate to Nepal
Nepal has been hammered again. Here’s how to donate.
Environment
400ppm
A significant milestone has been passed.
Hot Air
The award winning documentary Hot Air, on the politics of climate change in New Zealand, by Alister Barry & Abi King-Jones, is now free to view on Youtube.
Hosking wants Auckland Council deposed
From the I kid you not files Mike Hosking believes that Auckland Council is to blame for the housing crisis, not immigration, not favourable tax conditions for landlords, not the global financial crisis and not the lack of restrictions on home ownership. And he believes that Nick Smith should step in and Roll Auckland Council.
More jobs gone at Solid Energy – thanks Bill English
113 more jobs to go at Solid Energy’s Stockton Mine. Bill English killed Solid Energy, these job losses are his.
Ports of Auckland is out of control
Ports of Auckland’s recent behaviour outlines a major weakness with Auckland super city. Corporate interests are able to take precedence over the wishes of our democratically elected representatives.
The Californian canary
Not that I wish any ill on Californians, but in the grand scheme of things it is probably good for our global chances of action to limit climate change that such a clear example of the damaging effects are playing out in the USA’s back yard.
Tauranga oil spill
If we can’t even do simple things like refuel safely there is no way that we can guarantee the safety of deep sea drilling off the coast of NZ.
The pope and climate change
The Pope is calling for action on climate change. Naturally, he is being attacked for it.
NRT: Climate change: Good news on agriculture
New Zealand’s policy on climate change has been one of inaction. A key plank in this is our emissions profile. Roughly 50% of our greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. We couldn’t do anything about them. Instead farmers increase emissions and turn our lakes and streams into toxic sewers. But AgResearch scientists now have a solution for the emissions.
Nepal quake
As is all over the news this morning, Nepal and surrounding areas have been hit by a severe quake.
Ten Bridges Too Far
With Crosby Textor by his side, John Key has since learned to employ all manner of specialist PR techniques including ad homs, blame-shifting, distraction, use of Dirty Politics proxies to defuse the situation, and false equivalence, all woven together in an intricately performed semantic shuffle designed to provide wiggle room for when he does get caught.
Kiwirail looking to dump electric trains for diesel
There is more information and a petition here
NZ emissions disaster in The Herald!
Well knock me over with a feather. The disaster that is NZ’s greenhouse gas emissions has broken out of the ghetto of Twitter and Parliament TV, and made it on the front page of the (digital) Herald.
Greenpeace activists on oil rig
Peak soil
No, not a typo. Just in case you’re short of things to worry about, you can add soil to the list.
Rod Oram on the RMA and spin
An excellent piece by Rod Oram on the RMA and the government’s attempts at spin.
California drought
The California drought gives us a case study in how the effects of climate change are going to play out.
Bill English killed Solid Energy
More economic genius from the Nats.
Fast followers – not
In which NZ, along with many other countries, flunks the first test of the Paris climate change talks.
Drill baby drill will not work
Simon Bridges announced yesterday the release of the 2015 block offer. Potentially oil companies could be drilling in deep sea pristine environmental areas off the West Coast where the endangered Maui’s Dolphin lives. He calls for a “mixed balance” of energy generation. But all this means is that he wants the good mixed with the bad.
RMA backdown?
If this is accurate it is good news for the RMA and good news for NZ…
Trying to get the truth out of a Nat
Russel Norman tries to get the truth out of Simon Bridges. Bridges really really doesn’t want to admit that NZ’s emissions have increased by 20% from 2008 to 2012. 5 minutes and 10 seconds of painful nonsense to get an answer…
Labour History Project 2015 essay competition
The Labour History Project is inviting essays on the theme of “Another World is Possible”.
Megan Woods: Democracy isn’t “risky”, Minister
Nick Smith’s latest pronouncements on ECan are an insult to Cantabrians – and a chilling precedent for any other regional councils who step out of line.
National still attacking democracy in Canterbury
The Nats’ takeover of Environment Canterbury is the greatest attack on democratic rights ever seen in this country. They are about to extend the period of imposed rule, because a fully elected body carries “too many risks”. If you think the people of Canterbury can actually be trusted with democracy you can sign the petition.
NRT: Who is lying here?
GST wasn’t Key’s only bungle yesterday. I/S at No Right Turn reports…
Keep it in the ground
Donate for cyclone recovery
Vanuatu has been badly hit, with many dead, and significant damage. There is a Red Cross donations page here.
Two views on Titirangi’s Kauri
Rodney Hide has published a column about the ancient Titirangi Kauri which predictably argues that land owners should do what they want. But John Roughan has argued to the contrary in an article that will make you wonder if he is actually a greenie at heart.
The Second Climate Change Problem
Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we’re educating our children. He champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence
UPDATED: Developers will save Kauri – for a Price
Was driving through Henderson today toward the City centre and spotted a car with screen painting on its bumper…
“Keep Kauri standing”…
Police announcement – 1080 threat
3 News is advertising a special announcement of “national significance” at 3:45. Will update post…
It’s a 1080 threat to the dairy industry – that has been known since last November. Look – over there!
Polity: Pork bridges
A sudden enthusiasm for local infrastructure projects on the eve of a tight by-election. What a remarkable coincidence! I wonder whether the cost/benefit ratios on these bridges are up to scratch? Last year National bribed people in the general election. OIA time
Save our kauri!
The clash between those who value our natural environment and those who think money is king is playing out in Titirangi this morning.