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Environment

Categories under Environment

A Takahe is not a Pukeko

Written By: - Date published: 9:08 am, August 22nd, 2015 - 57 comments

The Department of Conservation let some volunteers from Deerstalkers onto Motutapu with shotguns to shoot Pukeko to make more room for endangered Takehe. But four Takehe were killed by stray shot gun pellets. DOC is now talking about prosecuting the Deerstalkers. Time for them to accept blame for allowing such a stupid thing to occur. And the Government for compromising DOC’s ability to function by starving it of resources.

July 2015 the warmest month ever

Written By: - Date published: 5:16 pm, August 21st, 2015 - 65 comments

July was hot hot hot. Meanwhile, let’s keep focussing on economic growth and more exports (and not making the middle classes too nervous that life is going to change radically, one way or another).

Dead Hands

Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, August 20th, 2015 - 11 comments

Time worn patterns and predictable decisions.

Key priorities – puppy photo op not Pike River people

Written By: - Date published: 9:40 am, August 19th, 2015 - 27 comments

Unbelievable.

Milk and media moron Mike

Written By: - Date published: 9:37 am, August 19th, 2015 - 59 comments

Media moron Mike Hosking blathering on about how self-interested “experts” are always right. He calls these “Facts”. I don’t think that he would know what a fact is if he tripped over a spreadsheet. Meanwhile announcing a reduction in supply has produced the expected increase in prices in the GlobalDairyTrade auction last night.

Earth overshoot day

Written By: - Date published: 11:20 am, August 17th, 2015 - 22 comments

August 13th was Earth Overshoot Day. We have already consumed what the Earth can sustainably produce in a year, for the rest of this year we are consuming “ecological capital”. This can’t go on. But it is a problem that our current political and economic systems cannot solve.

Climate change – New Zealand not even a fast follower

Written By: - Date published: 10:14 am, August 13th, 2015 - 48 comments

Recent analysis of different Governments’ greenhouse gas reduction pledges for the Paris Conference suggests that New Zealand’s is behind that of Windmill hating Tony Abbott’s Australia.

Andrew Little on climate change

Written By: - Date published: 4:00 pm, August 12th, 2015 - 51 comments

The Labour Leader gave a powerful speech to the Environmental Defence Society conference today.

Zero by 50

Written By: - Date published: 5:34 pm, August 9th, 2015 - 139 comments

In Copenhagen, our government committed itself, and by extension, us “To hold the increase in global temperature below two degrees Celsius and to take actions to meet this objective, consistent with the science and on the basis of equity”

And yet…

Obama’s climate initiative – too little too late

Written By: - Date published: 11:39 am, August 5th, 2015 - 48 comments

Far too late in his presidency Obama is taking important action on climate change. But it isn’t enough, not nearly enough, as new research shows that we need to achieve “negative emissions” (i.e. carbon capture).

The real reason Solid Energy is failing

Written By: - Date published: 10:15 am, August 4th, 2015 - 37 comments

There has been some discussion about the reasons why Solid Energy is facing liquidation.  A brief review of its history suggests that this Government’s incompetence is a major factor.

A thinking opposition

Written By: - Date published: 7:36 am, August 1st, 2015 - 56 comments

So the news on Labour’s first paper from its “Future of Work” Commission revolves around “ex-Labour member” Phil Quin noticing some missing quote marks and National making gleeful diversions from it. But of course what is actually important is the content.

Guest Post: Sneaky and sudden Government move on genetic engineering

Written By: - Date published: 8:31 am, July 31st, 2015 - 166 comments

A guest post on a Government attempt to change the Resource Management Act to prevent local councils from restricting the planting of genetically engineered trees.

Dear John Roughan

Written By: - Date published: 8:04 am, July 19th, 2015 - 41 comments

Dear John Roughan – I don’t think you’re a stupid person, but sometimes you use your platform in The Herald to say stupid things.

Local right wing media on climate change

Written By: - Date published: 10:23 am, July 18th, 2015 - 139 comments

Jack Tame on Newstalk ZB has recently brought refreshingly realistic commentary on climate change.  Meanwhile in the Herald climate change is thought to be a good thing because summers become warmer.

How can Auckland Supercity reduce residential rates?

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, July 17th, 2015 - 36 comments

What can be done to reduce Auckland’s residential rates take to make Auckland City a fairer, more sustainable and more affordable city?

The Canterbury rebuild

Written By: - Date published: 11:58 am, July 9th, 2015 - 20 comments

The Canterbury Rebuild grinds on with news that CERA is to be replaced by a new entity dubbed Regenerate Canterbury.  But is a name change all that is required?

Emissions targets an admission that we don’t care

Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, July 8th, 2015 - 48 comments

The emissions reduction target decided by the Nat government is an admission that we as a country don’t give a stuff about the future.

Greenpeace activism

Written By: - Date published: 10:42 am, July 5th, 2015 - 23 comments

Herald columnist Paul Little has done some good stuff in the past, but today’s effort on Greenpeace is a disgrace. Nothing but ill-informed prejudice on parade.

Nick Smith; Thick as a Short Plank?

Written By: - Date published: 9:56 am, July 3rd, 2015 - 25 comments

National’s Nick Smith appears to have misled Parliament over the illegal export of Kauri logs. Thankfully for Smith, it’s nothing to do with the rumours swirling around who is responsible for the loss of our irreplaceable heritage timber, but more to do with the Minister’s inability to understand a clear and explicit piece of legislation.

Marching backwards to diesel

Written By: - Date published: 4:38 pm, July 1st, 2015 - 35 comments

Replacing electric trains with diesel is the kind of short-term stupid decision making that is unfortunately typical of the way NZ is currently run.

Auckland Council and the latest rates rise

Written By: - Date published: 1:40 pm, June 28th, 2015 - 69 comments

Auckland Council’s budget which should have been passed on a pro forma vote succeeded this week by the narrowest of margins with a transport levy that Sky City pays the same amount as a Piha resident and where the share of rates that business pays continues to decrease.  Time to rethink supercity?

Gagging scientists

Written By: - Date published: 10:02 am, June 27th, 2015 - 13 comments

Forty percent of scientists surveyed feel that they are unable to speak out on issues within their areas of expertise because of management policy or concern over losing funding.

An open letter to Andrew Little

Written By: - Date published: 6:08 pm, June 26th, 2015 - 433 comments

A respectful open letter to Andrew Little with suggestions for how to win the next election!

Universal Basic Income Experiment

Written By: - Date published: 10:52 am, June 26th, 2015 - 97 comments

Income in a world of climate change.

Red Cross flood appeal

Written By: - Date published: 11:50 am, June 25th, 2015 - 5 comments

Red Cross is collecting for those recently affected by flooding in NZ. Here’s how to donate…

Dutch Court declares war on climate change

Written By: - Date published: 8:34 am, June 25th, 2015 - 36 comments

A Dutch Court has ordered the Dutch Government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25% within five years and has stated that developed countries should take the lead in doing so.  It makes you wonder if a similar case could be conducted in New Zealand. Update:  Greenpeace protesters have erected a large banner on Parliament which sums up the Government’s approach very well.

Pope Francis has much to say

Written By: - Date published: 7:20 am, June 22nd, 2015 - 219 comments

pope-francis-the-earth-filth

More flooding

Written By: - Date published: 10:28 am, June 21st, 2015 - 37 comments

All the best to those affected by the latest round of flooding.

Pope Francis on Climate Change

Written By: - Date published: 1:07 pm, June 16th, 2015 - 66 comments

No beating about the bush.

It’s just too expensive to act on climate change

Written By: - Date published: 1:30 pm, June 15th, 2015 - 187 comments

Imagine Wellington without coastal roads. Of course, it’s just too expensive to take action on our greenhouse gas emissions…