Otago University to start reducing fossil fuel use
The University has a 3 year plan to decrease its carbon fuel use.
Environment
science
ETS is useless, scrap it
I suspect that ETS has become a political football in the next parliament, but probably not part of a coalition agreement with either National or Labour. My guess is that both NZ First and the Greens will want it off the table unless it is agreed that it will go. That leaves them able to vote against further stupid patches being added to it.
The environmental open letter to political party leaders
Climate, water, conservation. Whoever forms government now has a citizenry with high expectations for the environment.
National no friends
In a sign of desperation Bill English rang Winston Peters on the weekend but the call was not answered. Clearly National realises that waiting for the special votes to be released will significantly weaken its bargaining position.
Climate Scientists Open Up
Four climate scientists offer a little bit of their personal stories, and their plans in relation to global warming.
National the anti-environmental party
You can stop the silly chat now media – the Greens can’t go into coalition with National because of their members, their social polices… but mainly because of their environmental policies.
Good work if you can get it
During the election campaign elements of the farming community protested the possibility of a water tax and of farming being in the ETS on the basis the sector could not afford it. In awkward news it has since come to light that the Chief Executive of Fonterra and senior executives are being paid huge salaries.
The Climate Debate Tues 7pm
Event at Auckland Uni and live streamed, the major political parties debate the climate with Rod Oram as MC.
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.
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?
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 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.
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.
Labour’s policies
A list of Labour’s announced policies to date and an easy way to compare them to other parties’ policies.
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.
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.
ETS – That’s our coffin they’re talking about
Professor Euan Mason of the University of Canterbury’s School of Forestry in response to the proposed changes: “This is the nail in the coffin of our ETS.”
Lies. Damned Lies. And Diesel.
Britain follows France in banning the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles from 2040. Good news?
How much is Mike Hosking paid by TVNZ?
Mike Hosking does not want there to be a debate on how much he earns from TVNZ and thinks that there would be an adverse irrational response from the public if the information was released. This is the best reason yet why disclosure should occur.
Rain doesn’t cause most floods, humans do
What to do with all the water falling from the sky? Some choices are smarter than others.
State of emergency for planet earth
Climate scientists: Our conclusion that the world has overshot appropriate targets is sufficiently grim to compel us to point out that pathways to rapid emission reductions are feasible.
State of emergency on the South Island’s east coast
Evacuations are now happening throughout Otago and Canterbury, with more rain expected over night and into Saturday.
NZ’s climate change guinea pigs
The first round of climate change pass-the-parcel is about to knock some players out of the property investment game. The rest of NZ should be paying attention.
Regenerative agriculture
Regenerative farmers in NZ are already leading the way on land and water restoration, and how to grow food in a changing climate.
Election 2017: the battle lines are drawn
The 2017 election campaign has been set alight by the Greens adopting brave policies that Jeremy Corbyn would be proud of and NZ First adopting policies that would meet with Donald Trump’s approval.