Obama acts – at last

Written By: - Date published: 7:24 am, June 27th, 2013 - 96 comments
Categories: climate change, global warming, us politics - Tags: , , ,

What a wasted opportunity the Obama presidency has been. He was elected with a mandate for change. At his first inaugural speech he spoke strongly about the risks of climate change and the need for urgent action. His first term slipped away with nothing done. It has taken until now for Obama to finally act:

Barack Obama pledges to bypass Congress to tackle climate change

US president says country is already paying price of inaction and backs nuclear energy and fracking in comprehensive strategy

Barack Obama has taken an historic step forward in confronting climate change, asserting his power as US president to cut carbon pollution and protect future generations from catastrophic global warming.

In a speech on Tuesday at Georgetown University, delivered outdoors on a sweltering hot day, Obama went further than any previous US president in outlining a comprehensive strategy for dealing with climate change. He also said he would continue to press the issue as a priority of his second term even in the face of implacable opposition from Republicans in Congress.

“I refuse to condemn your generation and future generations to a planet that’s beyond fixing,” Obama said to a gathering of students.

It may already be too late.  But trying to take action is still the only sane option.

Obama outlined a broad range of measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote the development of renewable energy, protect coastlines and cities from flooding and sea-level rise, and encourage efforts to reach a global climate deal.

The over-arching goal was to put the US on track to meet its commitment to cut carbon emissions 17% from 2005 levels by the end of the decade.

Here’s the massive game-changer in political terms:

But Obama’s boldest move by far was the decision to bypass a deadlocked Congress and issue an executive memo to the Environmental Protection Agency, calling for new rules curbing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

The Tea Party / Republican Party in Congress are a bunch of anti-science crazies who will never agree to any action to tackle climate change.  But Obama doesn’t need them.  Thanks to a ruling in 2009 (that I wrote about here) – Obama can instruct the EPA to act under already existing legislation.  He doesn’t need the approval of Congress / Senate.  It has taken him a long, long 4 years to use that power, but use it he finally has.

Such measures were long overdue, Obama said. “Power plants can still dump limitless carbon pollution into the air for free,” he said. “That’s not right, that’s not safe and it needs to stop.”

Curbing emissions from power plants would be the single-most significant action against climate change in Obama’s power. Power plants are responsible for a third of America’s greenhouse gas emissions.

… As anticipated, however, the measure ran into fierce opposition from Republicans and industry, even before Obama had delivered his speech. But the president pushed back on the idea that he was overstepping by ordering the EPA to act. “The idea of setting higher pollution standards for our power plants is not new.  It’s just time for Washington to catch up with the rest of the country,” he said.

Obama also said he was willing to work across the political divide but would not tolerate attempts to cast doubt on the science underlying climate change. “We don’t have time for a meeting of the flat earth society,” Obama said to applause.

An apt comparison.  At this point climate change denial is the modern day equivalent of flat-earthism (without the redeeming feature of quaint eccentricity).

With Tuesday’s speech, however, Obama appears to have firmly adopted climate action as his own brand.

Administration officials briefing reporters on the climate plan said the White House hoped to propose the rules for existing power plants by June 2014, finalising the rules one year later. They said proposed rules for new plants could be forthcoming as early as September. That timetable could set in place mechanisms to deliver meaningful cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by the time Obama leaves office.

Sounds good but:

But there are bound to be legal and political challenges, and it was not immediately clear how stringent the new power plant rules would be. It was also unclear how the actions promised by Obama would play out in the long term.

Come on Obama.  Last chance.  Make it count.  Please.

96 comments on “Obama acts – at last ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. muzza 1
    27 June 2013 at 8:35 am

    r0b, are you saying that Obama bypassing congress, yet again (war – kinetic interventions), is something that you support?

    You’re aware of the following, right?

    1: Obama, first POTUS to chair the UNSC
    2: Obama, owned/controlled by the lobbyists who fund him
    3: Obama, reading (from the prompter), what is put in front of him
    4: Obama, doing what his funders have instructed him to do

    What I find the height of hypocrisy, r0b, is that people are so certain in what they have been sold, so certain that the *science*, they believe in, is the *righteous science*, so certain that they *know enough*, that their position is correct, so eager to have the world *turn* in the positive direction, they will see democracy bypassed, what’s left of the US Constitution, kicked in, even further, and cheer on a war criminal, in doing so!

    People need to be cautious in what they *wish for*, because you do know, there are power games, far beyond the imagination of people here, myself included, that are directing what happens to this planet, it people, and habitats.

    Do you have confidence in *those people*, r0b, despite their track record of wars, pollution, death etc?

    Myself, I have no confidence in the outcome, whatever the sale pitch, but I accept that the outcomes have already been decided, and exist, even before we know what they are!

    Better cross your fingers!

    • r0b 1.1
      27 June 2013 at 9:10 am

      r0b, are you saying that Obama bypassing congress, yet again (war – kinetic interventions), is something that you support?

      Yes. He’s operating completely within the context of perfectly sensible law, and he’s addressing a problem that desperately needs addressing on a global scale. How could I not support him?

      What I find the height of hypocrisy, r0b, is that people are so certain in what they have been sold, so certain that the *science*, they believe in

      Yeah, I believe in science. Do you?

      they will see democracy bypassed

      This is not bypassing democracy, Obama is acting completely within the law.

      You hate the guy? Fine. I’m not a fan either. But when he takes the right action, I will support him.

      • muzza 1.1.1
        27 June 2013 at 10:09 am

        Yeah, I believe in science. Do you?

        Not to the point where it removes caution, and not to the extent that I believe, *science*, has not become at least, as controlled industry, as any other, if not more so, for obvious reasons.
        It goes back to what I have said many times, that the *science types* here, attach their own ego to the industry, believing it to be altruistic, believing it will *save the world*, when the reality is, that *science*, has got us in many of the problems we now face!
        Like any other industry, the R&D, and outputs are strictly controlled, corrupted in many cases, and no doubt, hidden from its optimal uses!

        This is not bypassing democracy, Obama is acting completely within the law.

        *The Law* – Which is exactly what, I really need to know! The Law, written/owned by those who do not give a rats, about the rest of us. Quoting *The Law*, r0B, is weak, and I would have given you more credit than such a lame statement!

        You hate the guy? Fine. I’m not a fan either. But when he takes the right action, I
        will support him.

        I don’t use the *H* word, nor do I associate with it in any emotive way.

        As for taking the *right actions* – You need to have a look into who the beneficiaries of the *Obamas right actions*, are going to be, once you have spent some time understanding what the *future* looks like, as directed by General Electric et al, do another post, let’s see how it looks then!

        • r0b 1.1.1.1
          27 June 2013 at 10:57 am

          Not to the point where it removes caution, and not to the extent that I believe, *science*, has not become at least, as controlled industry

          Then let me ask more specifically if you believe the science of anthropogenic climate change?

          Quoting *The Law*, r0B, is weak,

          While I appreciate the many problems with the way the law is formulated and applied, I have to ask you what your alternative is? Anarchy?

          You need to have a look into who the beneficiaries of the *Obamas right actions*, are going to be

          In this case, the planet.

          • travellerev 1.1.1.1.1
            27 June 2013 at 2:43 pm

            Then let me ask more specifically if you believe the science of anthropogenic climate change?

            What if my answer was: “yes, I do but while discussing anthropogenic climatic changes I would like to include man made weather modification science in those discussions and how much that is modifying our weather patterns globally”.

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.1.1.1.1
              27 June 2013 at 5:48 pm

              Then you’ll need to come with something other than vague assertions and nudges and winks, like say, oh, I don’t know, some credible evidence of widespread long-term use of such technology for example.

              • travellerev …
                27 June 2013 at 7:36 pm

                Let’s start with a simple Wiki page here

                and start adding little things like this one here

                And this one here

                Or this one from china here

                It all adds up doesn’t it.

                I dare say that if you believe that factories can change the weather, hundreds of weather modification companies can do it too.

                Even a knucklehead, anonymous or otherwise can see that

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  27 June 2013 at 7:41 pm

                  Right, so all you have to do now is propose a mechanism whereby this affects climate and see if your notions match observations, eh.

                • weka …
                  27 June 2013 at 7:42 pm

                  Now how about some credible evidence that those weather manipulation technologies are being used in ways that are contributing to climate change (I assume that’s what you mean by “modifying our weather patterns globally”).

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.1.2
          27 June 2013 at 11:41 am

          “…as directed by General Electric et al…”

          What, you mean electricity generators are going to rule the world? What will the HAARP group and Buzz Aldrin cabal have to say about that?

  2. karol 2
    27 June 2013 at 8:48 am

    I was puzzled b y this bit, which is included as part of the (allegedly) great approach to climate change:

    backs nuclear energy and fracking in comprehensive strategy

    And wondered if I’d understood it right. This does not seem like part of laudable climate strategy.

    But, I see from comments on open mike today, that it is indeed what Obama is proposing.

    • r0b 2.1
      27 June 2013 at 9:05 am

      Yes. Fracking is madness in this context (I’m awaiting clarification), and I’m no fan of nuclear. Two steps forward, one step back?

      • Enough is Enough 2.1.1
        27 June 2013 at 10:53 am

        I would say nunclear is three steps back

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1
          27 June 2013 at 11:29 am

          Yep, nuclear power won’t help at all. People want it because they think that they’ll still have the energy budget that they have now if they have it.

        • jaymam 2.1.1.2
          27 June 2013 at 3:56 pm

          Many years ago, I assumed that the nuclear power industry was funding the propaganda war against coal and oil, and that the bankers and speculators were the main people pushing for carbon emissions trading. I fear I am right. Remember when the government gleefully said thet NZ would collect a $500 million credit from the rest of the world for carbon trading? How did that go?

          • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.2.1
            27 June 2013 at 4:38 pm

            Remember when the government gleefully said thet NZ would collect a $500 million credit from the rest of the world for carbon trading?

            Nope, can’t say I do although there was the reason why NZ pushed for forests to be counted in the Kyoto Protocol. Something about how our forestry would save us.

            How did that go?

            Our forestry is in decline.

            • jaymam 2.1.1.2.1.1
              28 June 2013 at 12:16 am

              This is the big problem – people forget important history.

              Google links to Hansard with the $500 million claim but the page is missing.

              http://tvnz.co.nz/content/592536/425823.xhtml
              June 17, 2005

              “Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O’Reilly says last year the then Energy Minister, Hodgson, predicted a surplus of carbon tax credits worth $500 million, and made much of this supposed advantage of New Zealand being an early signatory to the Kyoto Protocol.

              But the latest forecasts show New Zealand will miss its emissions target and will instead need to buy around $500 million worth of credits to cover the shortfall, O’Reilly says.”

      • andyS 2.1.2
        27 June 2013 at 3:56 pm

        Given that wind and solar cannot supply the world’s energy needs, and you are presumably anti-coal as well as anti-natural gas and anti-nuclear, how do you suggest we power the world?

        • r0b 2.1.2.1
          27 June 2013 at 4:30 pm

          Wind, solar, tide and geothermal can do heaps, especially with more efficient solar conversion (it’s improving).

          Other promising sources might include thorium reactors:
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorium-based_nuclear_power

          and fusion:
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITER

          • infused 2.1.2.1.1
            27 June 2013 at 5:05 pm

            Give us a real alternative rob.
            Wind/Solar/Tide don’t cut it.

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 2.1.2.1.1.1
              27 June 2013 at 5:14 pm

              Define “don’t cut it”. They are definitely part of the solution. In the real world that is, not your tiny echo chamber.

            • Colonial Viper 2.1.2.1.1.2
              27 June 2013 at 5:15 pm

              Nothing is going to cut it after fossil fuels deplete. Get used to it*.

              *The exception is if there is a massive breakthrough in nuclear fusion power generation in the next 30 years. But that breakthrough has always been 30 years away…

            • r0b 2.1.2.1.1.3
              27 June 2013 at 5:27 pm

              Infused – suggest you actually read my comment and follow the links.

              CV – the ITER project looks hopeful (my last link above).

              • Colonial Viper …
                27 June 2013 at 5:59 pm

                Thanks r0b.

                I reckon a good acid test for new power technology is when the first 10 MWe to 50 MWe facility gets added to a grid somewhere in the world. When that happens I reckon that widespread adoption could occur within 10-20 years.

                Until then however, chances are that commercialisation and adoption is *much* further away than that.

          • andyS 2.1.2.1.2
            27 June 2013 at 5:45 pm

            Ok, sorry I got the wrong end of the stick. I am pretty interested in the prospect of Thorium and LFTR technology, and have been advocating it for sometime now

        • weka 2.1.2.2
          27 June 2013 at 5:26 pm

          “Given that wind and solar cannot supply the world’s energy needs, and you are presumably anti-coal as well as anti-natural gas and anti-nuclear, how do you suggest we power the world?”

          How about we use less power?

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.2.3
          27 June 2013 at 7:14 pm

          Actually, renewable energy could provide the world with enough electricity to run it. The question is more if we’d bother with the real uneconomic things like cars.

          What it can’t do is provide and exponentially increasing amount of power.

          • weka 2.1.2.3.1
            27 June 2013 at 7:31 pm

            Solar powered bras for charging cell phones? Really? (and let’s remember that the bras and solar panels were all made with fossil fuel energy). I think you will have to do better than that Draco. That article is lightweight and promotional, and doesn’t even answer its own questions.

            • Colonial Viper 2.1.2.3.1.1
              27 June 2013 at 7:43 pm

              This technology is based on a very old fashioned thermal characteristic between different metals.

              http://sectionhiker.com/biolite-campstove-the-substance-beyond-the-hype/

              • weka …
                27 June 2013 at 7:59 pm

                To add to the reviewers content, another good thing about it is that it could be used as a sold example of badly designed consumerist greenwashed crap that serves to demonstrate we are at the end of the world.

                😉

                Didn’t see the thermal explanation, but why not include rocket stove tech at least to improve the efficiency of the fire?

                • Colonial Viper …
                  27 June 2013 at 8:12 pm

                  I think the device has a fan at the bottom of the burner unit which increases burning efficiency a lot.

                  • weka …
                    27 June 2013 at 8:30 pm

                    But according to the reviewer, the fan runs on the power being generated, and the power being generated is prioritised to the fan rather than the device charger. Pretty daft when they could have used passive tech instead.

            • Draco T Bastard 2.1.2.3.1.2
              27 June 2013 at 9:43 pm

              (and let’s remember that the bras and solar panels were all made with fossil fuel energy).

              Yep, true but once the renewables take over the generation of power they won’t be.

              http://www.amiiko.com/world/energy/solar_energy_striking_earth

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 2.2
      27 June 2013 at 11:35 am

      There is a current debate going on, starting with Howarth et al 2010 – Methane Emissions in Natural Gas Systems, Cathles et al’s response, etc.

      Until Howarth et al’s challenge, methane was being more-or-less universally heralded as a “bridge fuel” – which probably explains Obama’s support for fracking.

  3. Colonial Viper 3
    27 June 2013 at 10:29 am

    Indeed, nuclear is a huge generator of GHGs in terms of plant construction, fuel preparation, and eventual decommissioning – a process which often takes a decade or more while the plant is shut down and producing no energy.

    • Colonial Viper 3.1
      27 June 2013 at 10:37 am

      I should add, Obama is very likely to still approve the Keystone XL pipeline project to bring Canadian tar sands heavy oil to US refineries. Mind you, the large quantities of GHGs produced during tar sands extraction get counted in Canada’s total, not the US, so he can do that.

    • weka 3.2
      27 June 2013 at 10:44 am

      “I refuse to condemn your generation and future generations to a planet that’s beyond fixing,” Obama said to a gathering of students.

      “But I will leave you with a big pile of nuclear waste that you can hopefully still find somewhere to dump, and that you hopefully still have the technological resources to look after safely once the cheap oil runs out. Good luck with that.”

      There’s also the the issue of using the last of the cheap oil to create more polluting energy sources, instead of using it to transition to lower polluting ‘renewables’.

      Nevertheless, I agree r0b, we can but hope he continues to do something.

    • andyS 3.3
      27 June 2013 at 3:57 pm

      Wind farms use 5 times as much concrete and steel per mW generated compared to nuclear

      • Rosetinted 3.3.1
        27 June 2013 at 4:15 pm

        andyS
        How safe is the waste from wind farms, and what is it?
        What sort of poisonous half-life has it, and how long before it reaches that level, and how long before it is completely neutral?
        These are important points so don’t throw in clever sharp remarks about an important actually vital matter or you might cut yourself. So sad.

        • andyS 3.3.1.1
          27 June 2013 at 5:48 pm

          One of the products used in wind energy is neodymium, which is only mined in China at great environmental cost.

          Ironically, neodymium is one of the by-products (“waste”, if you like), of the Thorium fuel cycle

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.3.1.1.1
            27 June 2013 at 5:54 pm

            Really? It’s so great to have an unbiased expert like Andy [r0b: no speculation on real names please] who’s so well informed. Is there no alternative? Is there no research into alternatives? Do all windmills use rare earth minerals? How does it affect the environmental impact compared to say, hydro? Or coal?

            Or do the answers to those questions undermine the story you’re trying to concoct?

            • andyS 3.3.1.1.1.1
              27 June 2013 at 6:01 pm

              Unlike you “one anonymous knucklehead”, I don’t feel the need to post your full name to this blog without your permission

              However, if you wish to make veiled threats against me for providing the best factual information I have, then be my guest.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                27 June 2013 at 6:09 pm

                Oh, sorry Andy: you were quite open about it last time. I think it’s important that people realise that your name is associated with transparent dishonesty on this subject, so that your reputation totally undermines your credibility wherever you go.

                Cheers.

                • andyS …
                  27 June 2013 at 6:15 pm

                  I don’t know who you are “One Anonymous KnuckleHead”, but my concern for my reputation on this blog is non-existent.

                  The facts about neodymium and the Thorium cycle can be found here,
                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9mx0ws2zJs
                  for example.

                  By the way, when you say “Oh, sorry Andy: you were quite open about it last time. I think it’s important that people realise that your name is associated with transparent dishonesty on this subject”, I am most interested in you filling us in with the details

                  Feel free to make stuff up

                  • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell …
                    27 June 2013 at 6:21 pm

                    I play a little game. I see One Anonymous Knucklehead’s name in the comments sidebar and bet the nearest person to me that, when we click on the comment, it will be bitter and snide.

                    I have won $23.50 so far.

                  • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                    27 June 2013 at 6:22 pm

                    The facts are not in dispute. It’s just that we don’t have time for a meeting of the flat earth society, mendacity boy.

                  • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                    27 June 2013 at 6:32 pm

                    Andy, let’s just say I think you’re “an illiterate tr*ll who is incapable of rational thought”, shall we. or do we need to dredge up further context?

              • Draco T Bastard …
                27 June 2013 at 9:45 pm

                providing the best factual information I have

                You haven’t made any factual information available – only lies and distortions.

          • Draco T Bastard 3.3.1.1.2
            27 June 2013 at 7:44 pm

            One of the products used in wind energy is neodymium, which is only mined in China at great environmental cost.

            More bollocks from an ignoramus.

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodymium#Occurrence_and_production

            The main mining areas are in China, the United States, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia.

            I especially liked this bit:

            Although it belongs to the rare earth metals, neodymium is not rare at all. Its abundance in the Earth crust is about 38 mg/kg, which is the second highest among rare-earth elements, following cerium.

            And then there’s this.

            There is no recorded New Zealand production of REE minerals for sale. Large ilmenite beach sand deposits near Westport, and at Barrytown north of Greymouth,
            contain minor amounts of monazite which could be recovered as a by-product of proposed ilmenite and gold production.

            The similarities of the detachment-related mineralisationin the northern Paparoa Range to REE-bearing Olympic Dam style mineral deposits invites further investigation, as do the elevated Ce, La, Y-contents of the Mandamus Complex.

            So it’s possible that we have credible resources of it here in NZ.

            Then there’s the simple fact that we don’t actually have to use permanent magnets with neodymium in them. Sure, they wouldn’t be quite as good but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

            Ironically, neodymium is one of the by-products (“waste”, if you like), of the Thorium fuel cycle

            Nope, REE just happen to accumulate in deposits with lots of thorium in them. That PDF I linked to has this in it:

            Although no production figures are known, Nicholson (1955) estimated that during gold dredging operations, 0.1 ton of uranothorite was being recovered per week. Based on this estimate and assay figures of Hutton (1950), Caffyn (1971) estimated that 147 pounds of thorium oxide must have been produced each week.

            So, thorium in NZ was a by-product of digging for gold.

            • andyS 3.3.1.1.2.1
              28 June 2013 at 9:06 am

              Actually what I meant was that it is only “processed” in China at great environmental cost, not “mined”.

              Slip of the keyboard, sorry

              However, this article in The Independent covers what I was trying to say anyway

              http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/concern-as-china-clamps-down-on-rare-earth-exports-1855387.html

              “Neodymium is one of 17 metals crucial to green technology. There’s only one snag – China produces 97% of the world’s supply. And they’re not selling”

              There’s that 97% figure again.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                28 June 2013 at 9:23 am

                There’s that Scrase mendacity again.

                Rare-earth prices are set to extend their decline from records this year as buyers including Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) and General Electric Co. (GE) scale back using the materials in their cars and windmills.

                My bold.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                28 June 2013 at 4:05 pm

                And before it was China that produced 97% of the worlds supply of REE it was the US that did it. Here’s the bit you don’t understand – the US could do it again. We could also produce some locally and other countries could do it as well.

                It really doesn’t matter if China stops selling its resources as we have our own – until the stupid politicians sell it all off of course.

                BTW, IIRC, China mines the REE and they’re processed in the EU. I read an article about it the manufacture of hybrids a few years ago and it traced the convoluted production of the materials used from mining to sales floor.

          • Murray Olsen 3.3.1.1.3
            28 June 2013 at 4:51 am

            Why is neodymium necessary?

            • andyS 3.3.1.1.3.1
              28 June 2013 at 8:42 am

              Neodymium is used in the magnets

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                28 June 2013 at 8:47 am

                You forgot to apologise for your lies: the ones exposed by Draco’s comment. I expect you’ll try some feeble attempt to justify yourself instead.

                • andyS …
                  28 June 2013 at 9:04 am

                  “I forgot to apologise for my lies”

                  Which lies?

                  • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                    28 June 2013 at 9:13 am

                    The ones exposed by Draco’s comment.

                    For example, Andy Scrase, you wrote “One of the products used in wind energy is neodymium, which is only mined in China…”

                    Which is a lie.

                    Anyone who wants more evidence of your dishonesty only need do an “@author:” search.

                    • andyS …
                      28 June 2013 at 9:35 am

                      One Anonymous Knucklehead, I will, unlike you, respect the moderators suggestions not to insinuate real names.

                      I did clarify my statement in another comment that 97% of the world’s neodymium is produced in China

                      http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/concern-as-china-clamps-down-on-rare-earth-exports-1855387.html

                      I admit that 97% and 100% are not the same. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it is a lie However if the suggestion that “all” of the world’s neodymium and 97% of the world’s neodymium is a “lie” and has offended you, then please accept my profoundest apologies.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      28 June 2013 at 9:41 am

                      Andy, you admitted your real name in the link I provided. If you are uncomfortable with me associating your family name with your persistent deceits I suggest you stop lying, because that’s the only thing that’s going to stop me 🙂

              • Murray Olsen …
                28 June 2013 at 1:17 pm

                There are other metals that can be used to make permanent magnets, although neodymium has advantages in terms of magnetic field strength. There are also electric generators for wind turbines that don’t use permanent magnets at all.

                Do you actually know much about this topic, or are you just a propagandist for thorium reactors? What excites you about them?

      • Draco T Bastard 3.3.2
        27 June 2013 at 4:40 pm

        [citation needed]

        Also, is that measured in net generation or gross?

        • andyS 3.3.2.1
          27 June 2013 at 5:50 pm

          The number came from “Confessions of a Greenpeace Dropout”

          Actually, I think that number is optimistic given the huge number of turbines required (not to mention roads, pylons, and backup generation) that could be done by a single conventional power plant (i.e coal, gas, nuclear or hydro)

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.3.2.1.1
            27 June 2013 at 6:02 pm

            Are your sources always so twisted by transparent bias?

            To put Andy [r0b: no speculation on real names please] tiresome fantasies in context, wind generation has a slightly higher environmental cost that hydro. It is proven to lead to carbon emissions reduction.

            How are those government contracts coming, Rand-boy? Still sucking on that ol’ taxpayer teat?

            • andyS 3.3.2.1.1.1
              27 June 2013 at 6:18 pm

              Oh this is [r0b: no speculation on real names please]?

              Ha so funny Rob,

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                27 June 2013 at 6:25 pm

                Evidently you don’t have to be [r0b: no speculation on real names please] to know all you need to know about Andy [r0b: no speculation on real names please] character.

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  28 June 2013 at 7:36 am

                  R0b: can we get some clarity on this: does the rule apply even when someone has revealed their own identity in the past?

                  • lprent …
                    28 June 2013 at 8:07 am

                    No. But you have to link to it at least once so the moderators know it. And it has to be them deliberately outing themselves rather than an inference by others.

                    With the number of attempts that have been done infer the real life identities of people around here (where we know the actual identity) the success rate is less than 10%. And the “discussions” invariably drag on in a boring an unproductive manner.

                    Since most of the time the only way to be sure is for the moss to get involved and we are limited by the privacy policy, we squelch all discussion without evidence of people outing themselves.

                    There is one exception. If people claim to be someone real or someone else’s handle and it seems unlikely, then we check and will announce our opinion on their veracity and if they are allowed to use the handle. That is identity hijacking…

                  • andyS …
                    28 June 2013 at 9:41 am

                    Actually, I didn’t “reveal” my own identity, someone else did. But who cares? I have nothing to hide. If you wish to keep posting my name in the vain hope that this will intimidate me, then you are mistaken.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      28 June 2013 at 9:50 am

                      It isn’t intended to intimidate you, Andy. It’s intended to establish your reputation as someone who persistently and apparently deliberately misrepresents issues around the Greenhouse Effect. Unethical and dishonest.

                    • andyS …
                      28 June 2013 at 9:57 am

                      It’s intended to establish your reputation as someone who persistently and apparently deliberately misrepresents issues around the Greenhouse Effect.

                      Sounds like intimidation to me, since you repeatedly use my full name and refer to my family.

                      So which issues around “the Greenhouse effect” do I misrepresent?

                      Do tell the assembled mob before I am lynched. I am sure they are dying to know

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      28 June 2013 at 10:07 am

                      If you are concerned for your family name why are you dragging it through the gutter?

                      I don’t need to single out individual examples: as I have already stated, your low character can easily be established by a simple @author: search. Or even a Google search: Richard Christie is quite open in his contempt for your behaviour, for example.

                    • andyS …
                      28 June 2013 at 10:15 am

                      “Richard Christie is quite open in his contempt…”

                      I can assure you that the feeling is entirely mutual, as I have stated on several occasions. This of course extends to you, Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      28 June 2013 at 10:18 am

                      That’s to be expected. No-one likes being exposed as a habitual liar, but the remedy is in your own hands.

          • Draco T Bastard 3.3.2.1.2
            27 June 2013 at 7:46 pm

            The number came from “Confessions of a Greenpeace Dropout”

            So, nothing credible then? Gotcha.

  4. johnm 4
    27 June 2013 at 11:11 am

    As AFewKnowtheTruth said the time to act was 30 years ago, it’s all too late now and Obama is just talking hopium. 🙁

    • weka 4.1
      27 June 2013 at 12:02 pm

      AFKTW is not God (all knowing), nor are they able to see the future. None of us know how this is going to play out, so doing what we can makes sense. It’s not that hard to make the case for hopium – humans will manage collapse stress better if their brains and bodies are able to sustain some level of endorphins. It’s also relatively easy to argue why the “we’re all going to die and it’s too late to do anything” approach fails as a strategy at any level other than the personal gratification of the person saying it.

      • Colonial Viper 4.1.1
        27 June 2013 at 10:01 pm

        Yes, but I feel that the most reliable way to keep people going in the future is to set realistic expectations right now. And that means no hopium, it actually means going cold turkey on the hopium. Note, this does not mean doing things like closing thermal power stations down and sidelining personal motor vehicles.

        It does mean “don’t expect any of these measures to be enough to deliver you the future lifestyle and comfort that you thought you were promised”.

        • weka 4.1.1.1
          27 June 2013 at 10:21 pm

          Quite, but it’s a long way from there to “we are all fucked and nothing can be done”.

          The value of hopium is that most humans are simply not capable of going from BAU to facing the reality of the world quickly. You need to take them in steps. If you go bald facts straight out, they switch off (a survival mechanism). It’s like asking someone to undergo radical surgery – opiates are needed.

          If you tell people who are capable of change that we are doomed and nothing can be done, they think they may as well party while the ship goes down. AFKTT doesn’t know what is going to happen, and their actions contribute to the problem, by shutting off the last few avenues for change that we have.

  5. Rosetinted 5
    27 June 2013 at 12:05 pm

    “The Tea Party / Republican Party in Congress are a bunch of anti-science crazies ”
    I think they are anti knowledge. They have got a closed incurious barrier mentality to knowledge similar to the situation in NZ about mid last century when anyone from a university offering a judgment on their specialty was labelled, negatively, as being ‘an ivory-tower academic’ ie someone to be disbelieved, scorned and ignored.

    The strength of the hostility to learning in the USA shows up in the desire to teach creationism. I have seen it here from either United States imports or those accepting th fundamentalist doctrines in NZ. I picked up a second-hand condensed book of knowledge on the earth recently. At the back was a chart listing all the differing ages of earth’s development, from earliest times millions of years ago, down. Someone had written a cautionary note ‘ to look on the internet for the facts on this.’ And some other derogatory remarks about science or lies – can’t remember exactly. Also have seen prosperity church literature where learning about the bible is mingled with how to manage your finances. Today’s Sunday School WTF.

    The desire to spread the mythical story of our distant past, mixed with some bits of facts which may or may not be provable or verifiable, becomes stronger the more adherents it gains, and I am concerned that it may be exponentially, and a divisive attitude to everything has arisen.

    Democracies are hard to run when nothing can be discussed reasonably. How to approach such people requires changed thinking – these are people who are separating themselves from what I still regard as ‘our’ culture. How do workers in foreign countries relate to others in an alien culture? And what happens when they form a large percentage of one’s own population as they gain adherents? Then they may gain malicious assistance from politicians like the NACTs who see some advantage in introducing things like charter schools and getting right wing, authoritarian-based entities on side along with their obedient and dominated members. Think of the intransigency and rigidity and ultimately violence, of the Taliban.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      27 June 2013 at 2:38 pm

      How to approach such people requires changed thinking – these are people who are separating themselves from what I still regard as ‘our’ culture.

      More importantly, they’re separating themselves from reality.

  6. johnm 6
    27 June 2013 at 6:19 pm

    “At Last” is not good enough and 100% total Obama BS.

  7. Jenny 7
    27 June 2013 at 6:37 pm

    [r0b: Sorry Jenny you picked up a week ban from lprent – see open mike]

  8. johnm 8
    27 June 2013 at 6:57 pm

    I find it bizarre that one of the most alive and passionate commentators on this blog Jenny can be banned for a technical infringement, this speaks of the procrustian cutting down to size nature of New Zealand political discourse, let’s all bury ourselves in a little crypt of conformity. This is part of the process that allows the neoliberal scum to go miles.

    [lprent: almost all bans are based on “technical infringements” of the policy. Just as all convictions in courts are “technical infringements” of the law (think of murder, manslaughter, and actions as a soldier). It is a silly argument.

    But she has been warned before for the same infringement. Clearly that didn’t work. So she got a more pointed warning – a ban. We often find this induces what is technically known as a shift in behavior. Hopefully it will in this case, as like you, I personally (when not moderating) like reading Jenny. ]

    • Colonial Viper 8.1
      27 June 2013 at 7:04 pm

      She deserved it and I’m glad to see her gone for a week. Best not tell the authors what they should be writing with their own time eh.

    • QoT 8.2
      27 June 2013 at 7:48 pm

      By “alive and passionate” you mean “spammy and paranoid”, right?

  9. xtasy 9
    27 June 2013 at 11:29 pm

    Honestly I have no more faith in Obama, as he is just too much talk. He is indeed in the palm of lobbies, and he has proved this. We are still waiting for him to clos e Guantanamo camp, and to do many other things. He back tracked on environmental issues, and more, but today he apparently tweeted in favour of a supreme court decision to grant rights to gays to have equal rights.

    Well, good for that and them, but it does not deliver on so much else.

    We get it, the right run the media there, they have the largerst lobbies on their side, and the average Joe and Jane Average are just useful idiots to cast votes when asked for.

    Fuck that kind of “democracy”, not worth taking seriously, and then add this shit with spy controls, all over the globe. What I just read on Spiegel Online last night horrified me, but does anybody care? You are screened and tracked while you read this by the way. I saw a young teen specimen on the bus today, heavily into Fakebook and on and off loading photos and other shit. Do they even know what goes on? NO, we live in an idiot world now, conveniently brainwashed to accomodate the status quo. RIP

  10. Sable 10
    3 July 2013 at 11:40 pm

    Obama is America’s Roger Douglas, a conservative in left wing clothing. It will be a cold day in corporate hell before that little shit does anything meaningful regarding climate change.

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  • What’s a life worth now?
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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