What the f*ck is this reporting on Radio New Zealand that has Groser w*nking about rejection of a 1.5 degree warming limit and the whole thing being wrapped up as a decision being made as to whether warming should be limited to 1.5 degrees or 2 degrees?!
That kind of utterly idiotic reporting ‘goes through’ why?
Are we to believe that these clowns can just decide on what level of warming they will create?
It beggars belief doesn’t it Bill. A local example of the imbeciles who are in charge of this planet. Talk about slithering backwards into the dark ages.
And to add insult to injury look who is the new Climate Change minister? Paula Bennett. This ignorant woman wouldn’t know the difference between a humidity reading and a dew point reading. The scientists in this country must be clutching themselves in horror and disbelief.
I agree Anne – a total WTF moment. The Nats simply hate scientific and rational solutions to their ideological clap trap. By the way, I always read your comments with interest. I have been a follower of politics, particularly of the Labour Party for many a long year since the 1957 election when at the age of 13 I witnessed my parents’ absolute joy at the election of the Labour Government led by Walter Nash and I know that the M J Savage government gave my parents back some dignity when my dad’s business went belly up during the Great Depression and he had to, with his partner, walk away from a fleet of trucks, probably because they weren’t connected to the farming industry. I became a member in 1967 and have renewed my membership over the years, with a few breaks, particularly when I was a parent of a young family and had other things to think about. I rejoined when Rob Muldoon became the PM and worked bloody hard in the Piako seat in 1975 when Helen Clark stood as the Labour candidate. I could go on, but I do try to join some dots when you delve into the inner sanctum of what has happened to you over the years, but always come up short. Keep those comments up – I enjoy them.
Thank-you Jilly Bee. There are so many lessons to learn from the past and that’s why I tell parts of my story because these things have a habit of repeating themselves – albeit not necessarily in the same way.
“9:10 OUR SEARCH FOR OIL
a new research programme is underway which intends to improve the chances of finding oil and gas accumulations in New Zealand’s sedimentary basins – with Richard Sykes GNS Science petroleum geochemist ”
Yep the question that had been asked “but it is predicted that the effect of current proposals will result in a 3 degree increase in temperature. Why are you being to insipid with your proposals?”
It’s changed a bit now. At the start the BBC say how poor countries want rich countries to support them to develop via renewables and to pay compensation if their economies tanks due to CC. Nice summary. Then the bit about Australia wanting a 1.5C cap instead of 2C, that Pacific nations want NZ to support this and Groser saying that’s not likely to succeed. Don’t know if he means it can’t be done or if he means no-one will agree to it 😉 That’s all he says though.
Then it’s about Paula Bennet taking over the CC portfolio and how Key thought about giving it to Bridges but couldn’t because it would conflict with Bridges’ Energy portfolio. Fuckwits and imbeciles.
Uruguay gets 95% of its electricity from renewables. Renewables account for 55% of its overal energy (including transport) compared to the global average of 12%. Its commitment this week is an 88% cut in carbon emissions by 2017 compared with the average for 2009-13.
While not every country in the world can replicate this model, he said Uruguay had proved that renewables can reduce generation costs, can meet well over 90% of electricity demand without the back-up of coal or nuclear power plants, and the public and private sectors can work together effectively in this field.
The Paris climate summit at a glance
Read more
But, perhaps, the biggest lesson that Uruguay can provide to the delegates in Paris is the importance of strong decision-making. As has been the case at countless UN climate conferences, Uruguay was once paralysed by a seemingly endless and rancorous debate about energy policy.
All that changed when the government finally agreed on a long-term plan that drew cross-party support.
I believe that Scotland is looking to achieve a 40% reduction on 1990 levels by 2020. I’d have to check the figures, but the point is that they have hard numerical reduction targets for every year. I think they have managed a 38% drop on 1990 levels to date.
meh – google search.
The Scottish Government’s commitments to tackling climate change are set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act (2009). This requires a minimum 42% cut in emissions by 2020 (including international aviation and shipping) and defines annual emission targets from 2010-2050. The commitments represent the most stringent reduction targets in the UK.
I didn’t want to look to closely at the Uruguay targets in case I found more bullshit. Sign of the times when nobody can be trusted on this. I thought the bit about cross party talks was interesting though.
Well Uruguay might claim such a reduction but is it credible? Surely that is a valid question.
As with NZ the majority of their emissions will be agricultural based. What are they going to do about them?
As for the rest they will have to ban just about every diesel or petrol powered vehicle. That won’t happen.
By all means criticise the NZ target, but at least it is actually achievable. Having said that more could be done. But a reduction of 90% on 1990 figures by 2030 is completely unrealistic.
But a reduction of 90% on 1990 figures by 2030 is completely unrealistic.
Actually, NZ could probably drop below 1990 levels quite easily. The problem we have is a few people are concerned that they won’t make any money out of the transition if we do it rationally and so they stand in the way of that rational action.
In the meantime Groser has overseen NZs emissions increase by 10% in his time as Minister for CC, and has put in place zilch as a means to achieve any reduction. Pull your head out of the sand Wayne – everything your mates say about CC is simply flannel, and hot air, and adds to the steadily climbing atmospheric temperature.
Pretty sure we are going to experience a 90% drop in emissions by 2050 regardless. But what does Wayne care? He’ll be past caring about anything by either date.
Sure. Maybe. But a 90% drop from what level and with what temperature rise either locked in or being experienced?
That’s the problem with 90% by 2050 type targets that have no year on year reduction targets…they allow policy makers and politicians to do fuck all. That, and the fact they are sold as science despite the fact that the problem is one of accumulative total emissions, meaning thse aspirational targets have absolutely no basis in science.
To Wayne – Uruguay has many attributes which are similar to NZ – a small-ish population (3.4 million); helpful natural conditions (good wind, decent solar radiation and lots of biomass from agriculture); and the will to make it work.
Unfortunately, Wayne, you support a government which does not have that will. They’re being led by a man who is a puppet of the multi-nationals and who do not have a care for the future of either the planet, or the people on it. They live only in the present. (And its unfortunate for us as well that so many voters are unthinkingly blind to what and who our puppet actually is).
Russia can turn on a no fly zone over the most populous parts of Syria immediately, but enforcing it would mean shooting down American and British jets…and then it would get messy.
Actually it is a 88% reduction by 2017 on 2008 figures. In other words in 2017 Uruguay expects to have only 12% of the levels of emissions it had less than 10 years previously.
They must be ignoring agriculture, and even then I would suggest it can still could not be achieved.
Energy emissions account for most of the worlds emissions…by a long, long way (about 80% on a global perspective).
NZ’s bullshit about only accounting for (say) 1% or 0.1% of global energy emissions is arguing that since Manchester (or wherever) only accounts for (say) 1% or 0.1% of energy related emissions, then Manchester and every other fucking place in the world need do nothing.
It doesn’t matter whether NZ or anywhere else only contributes 1% or 0.1% or whatever, the world must be at zero by around 2050 with ‘the west’ hitting zero by around 2030….for a mere 50/50 chance of avoiding 2 degrees C of warming.
Labour are making noises about it. The Greens already have it in policy.
1. Universal Basic Income (UBI)
The Green Party supports a full and wide-ranging public debate on the nature of UBI and the details of a UBI system, and government funding for detailed studies of the impacts of UBI. The Green Party will:
Investigate the implementation of a Universal Basic Income for every New Zealander.
Repeal the much amended, complex and cumbersome Social Security Act 1964, and replace it with a new and clearly written Social Security Act with a view to:
Establishing a two-tier benefit system consisting of:
a universal base rate; and
add-ons for specific circumstances or additional needs, such as dependants, disability or chronic illness.
Providing discretionary third-tier assistance until such time as the needs of all beneficiaries can be met through the proposed two-tier system, including restoring a discretionary Special Benefit in place of the highly regulated Temporary Additional Support.
Agriculture accounts for about 44% of New Zealand’s total emissions. Cows are the biggest problem. This causes much hand-wringing, but, we are told, there is nothing we can do about it. Except to reduce the numbers of cows. And reducing the numbers of dairy cows cannot be done?
If farming is the problem then you reduce the amount of farming.
“Rupert Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill, took over running the company early last year. He repaired relations with the UK government, which had barred Serco and its rival G4S from new government outsourced work, and pledged to turn around operating performance by cutting costs and getting out of peripheral businesses.”
would be great to see their revenue further reduced by a ban here too.
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“As we head into one of the busiest times of the year for Police, and family violence and sexual violence response services, it’s a good time to remind everyone what to do if they experience violence or are worried about others,” Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence ...
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Summer reissue: There’s no better feeling than arriving at a bach and seeing that dusty little pile of random DVDs beneath the television, writes Alex Casey. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter ...
Summer reissue: If you want to read a book that makes you feel good about your body, I beg you to look elsewhere.The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up ...
Summer reissue: Season three of the critically-acclaimed darling The Bear was released in late June. Two fans of the show watched the full season over the weekend – only one emerged still a fan.The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these ...
"Everyone associates the Cook Islands with New Zealand", so a Cooks vessel possibly aiding Russia's shadow fleet isn't ideal, international law professor Al Gillespie says. ...
Summer reissue: Play it at breakfast, lunch or tea, the song ‘Fish and Chips’ is almost as famous in Aotearoa as the dish itself. So why is the woman who wrote it virtually unknown? First published October 7, 2024. Update, December 27: Claudia Mushin, 78, died peacefully and surrounded ...
Summer reissue: Realising she can afford to buy a house, but only one that contained meth use or murder, Kristin Kelly reflects on the true value of a home. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Sunday 29 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When Cory Sweeney was named coach of the year at the New Zealand Rugby Awards he equalled Sir Steve Hansen as a five-time winner of that honour.The Black Ferns Sevens coach successfully defended the Olympic title won in Toyko in 2021 in Paris in July. Recently the 46-year-old celebrated his ...
Comment: Those who have been reading or listening to my commentaries in recent months will note that I have a pretty bleak view of the immediate future. The New Zealand economy is struggling to grow, the economy of our major export market is not doing much better, we have wars ...
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says New Zealand is not responsible for a Cook Islands-registered vessel carrying Russian oil seized in Finland. ...
Summer reissue: Insects have been the ‘next big thing’ in food for the last decade, but will we ever have an appetite for them? Shanti Mathias investigates – and tastes some bugs. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of ...
Summer reissue: The TVNZ broadcaster reflects on his life in television, including a full circle moment with David Attenborough, his favourite politicians to interview and why he’ll never watch Game of Thrones.The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of ...
Summer reissue: A chain of three cafes closed down and the owner blamed cycleways. But none of the cafes were anywhere near one. What is happening? Joel MacManus investigates. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read ...
Summer reissue: Claire Mabey’s early brush with evangelical Christianity sparked a life’s fascination with the power of stories – and the fuel to write her own. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open ...
Alex Casey uncovers the story behind that perfect final bite. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.In the first episode of Snackmasters NZ, in ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Saturday 28 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: A few months ago, The Times of London reported that an Oxford professor of English, Shakespearean scholar Sir Jonathan Bate, warned that his present-day students had trouble reading long books. A Kiwi perspective was added a few weeks later, when a sociologist at the University of Canterbury, Mike Grimshaw, told ...
Twas very heaven in 2024 to write as a satirist. Credit where credit is due: Christopher Luxon just got funnier and funnier, more determinedly ridiculous, a David Brent for our times, the embarrassing boss who is at once inept and bombastic. Stuff writer Verity Johnson came up with a widely ...
On an average weekday Jan Monds drives into the carpark at Knighton Normal School, in Hamilton, just before 7.30am to run a pre-school programme for students. This wraps up at 8.45am, when she heads from the hall to the main part of the school to start her primary job as a ...
The protest action isn't only to mark the historical acts of violence the NZ govt has enacted against Sāmoans but also to highlight the responsibility this current govt and navy have for the environmental and societal impacts of the Manawanui shipwreck. ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji MP Lynda Tabuya has been dismissed as the country’s Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said in a statement that in light of the recent events concerning the conduct of Lynda Tabuya, and in consideration of: the Oath she has taken ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent, French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s territorial government has been toppled on Christmas Eve, due to a mass resignation within its ranks. Environment and Sustainable Development Minister Jérémie Katidjo-Monnier said he was resigning from the cabinet, with immediate effect. Katidjo-Monnier was the sole representative from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Clarke, Senior Lecturer in History, specialising in built heritage and material culture, University of the Sunshine Coast Big Things first appeared in Australia in the 1960s, beginning with the Big Scotsman (1962) in Medindie, South Australia, the Big Banana (1964) in ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacquie Rand, Emeritus Professor of Companion Animal Health, The University of Queensland Elena Vorman/Shutterstock Learning a pet has diabetes can be a shock. Sadly, about 20% of diabetic cats and dogs are euthanised within a year of diagnosis due to the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Hadigheh, Senior Lecturer, Structural Engineering, University of Sydney Pavel1964/Shutterstock In the early days of the modern Olympics and Paralympics, athletes competed using heavy, non-aerodynamic equipment. The record for throwing a javelin, for instance, has almost doubled since 1908, when the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Peden, NHMRC Research Fellow, School of Population Health & co-founder UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney MarKord/Shutterstock Many swimming schools have temporarily closed for the summer holidays. But this doesn’t mean you should take a break from helping ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthea Gerrard, Assistant Professor of Law, Bond University ELEVATE/Pexels Beer has existed for thousands of years. It was the drink of choice in ancient Egypt, in northern Europe in the Middle Ages and, of course, remains popular around the world ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruari Elkington, Senior Lecturer in Creative Industries & Chief Investigator at QUT Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC), Queensland University of Technology Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema In December 1916, as war raged in Europe, an entrepreneurial pearl diver took a chance on ...
Alex Casey chats to David Lomas about the art of finding needles in haystacks.The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.There are around 100 ...
Summer reissue: Megan Dunn’s mer-moir, The Mermaid Chronicles, is an immersive, moving and funny search for the meaning of mermaids and the anchors of interests and family in the ebb and flow of life. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these ...
Summer reissue: The groundbreaking show has had mixed reviews over the past two decades. Madeleine Chapman revisits a classic. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member ...
Summer reissue: After three decades of inhaling American-dominated, disproportionately New York-based media, Sharon Lam’s first time in the city became a traipse through a collage of movie sets rather than any real place.The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds ...
Summer reissue: Why do so many of us install security cameras – and are they breaching other people’s rights? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member ...
What the f*ck is this reporting on Radio New Zealand that has Groser w*nking about rejection of a 1.5 degree warming limit and the whole thing being wrapped up as a decision being made as to whether warming should be limited to 1.5 degrees or 2 degrees?!
That kind of utterly idiotic reporting ‘goes through’ why?
Are we to believe that these clowns can just decide on what level of warming they will create?
It beggars belief doesn’t it Bill. A local example of the imbeciles who are in charge of this planet. Talk about slithering backwards into the dark ages.
And to add insult to injury look who is the new Climate Change minister? Paula Bennett. This ignorant woman wouldn’t know the difference between a humidity reading and a dew point reading. The scientists in this country must be clutching themselves in horror and disbelief.
<i The scientists in this country must be clutching themselves in horror and disbelief.
Agreed, it’s an utter ‘fuck you’ to the science community.
+ 1 yep, get fucked science – this bennett appointment must be the biggest sick joke of the year.
Crushers return says the same to NZ after Nickys book revealed her antics. They really are rubbing it in now.
I agree Anne – a total WTF moment. The Nats simply hate scientific and rational solutions to their ideological clap trap. By the way, I always read your comments with interest. I have been a follower of politics, particularly of the Labour Party for many a long year since the 1957 election when at the age of 13 I witnessed my parents’ absolute joy at the election of the Labour Government led by Walter Nash and I know that the M J Savage government gave my parents back some dignity when my dad’s business went belly up during the Great Depression and he had to, with his partner, walk away from a fleet of trucks, probably because they weren’t connected to the farming industry. I became a member in 1967 and have renewed my membership over the years, with a few breaks, particularly when I was a parent of a young family and had other things to think about. I rejoined when Rob Muldoon became the PM and worked bloody hard in the Piako seat in 1975 when Helen Clark stood as the Labour candidate. I could go on, but I do try to join some dots when you delve into the inner sanctum of what has happened to you over the years, but always come up short. Keep those comments up – I enjoy them.
+ 100% Jilly Bee
Thank-you Jilly Bee. There are so many lessons to learn from the past and that’s why I tell parts of my story because these things have a habit of repeating themselves – albeit not necessarily in the same way.
“The scientists in this country must be clutching themselves in horror and disbelief.”
Some of the scientists in this country are out there looking for fossil fuels…they work for GNS, who has partnerships with the oil and gas companies.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights
“9:10 OUR SEARCH FOR OIL
a new research programme is underway which intends to improve the chances of finding oil and gas accumulations in New Zealand’s sedimentary basins – with Richard Sykes GNS Science petroleum geochemist ”
http://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/About-Us/Partnerships/Our-Clients
Global warming? What global warming?
SNAFU
Hi Rosemary McDonald.
I should have made myself clearer. I was meaning Climate Scientists and Meteorologists – and related NIWA researchers.
Yep the question that had been asked “but it is predicted that the effect of current proposals will result in a 3 degree increase in temperature. Why are you being to insipid with your proposals?”
got a link? Or what time it was on?
All main ‘on the hour’ news bulletins.
It’s changed a bit now. At the start the BBC say how poor countries want rich countries to support them to develop via renewables and to pay compensation if their economies tanks due to CC. Nice summary. Then the bit about Australia wanting a 1.5C cap instead of 2C, that Pacific nations want NZ to support this and Groser saying that’s not likely to succeed. Don’t know if he means it can’t be done or if he means no-one will agree to it 😉 That’s all he says though.
Then it’s about Paula Bennet taking over the CC portfolio and how Key thought about giving it to Bridges but couldn’t because it would conflict with Bridges’ Energy portfolio. Fuckwits and imbeciles.
Also, it’s aspirational anyway…
Uruguay gets 95% of its electricity from renewables. Renewables account for 55% of its overal energy (including transport) compared to the global average of 12%. Its commitment this week is an 88% cut in carbon emissions by 2017 compared with the average for 2009-13.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/03/uruguay-makes-dramatic-shift-to-nearly-95-clean-energy
I believe that Scotland is looking to achieve a 40% reduction on 1990 levels by 2020. I’d have to check the figures, but the point is that they have hard numerical reduction targets for every year. I think they have managed a 38% drop on 1990 levels to date.
meh – google search.
https://www.theccc.org.uk/scotland/
edit – and yes, unfortunately they indulge in the sleight of hand trading bullshit.
Are they including agriculture?
I didn’t want to look to closely at the Uruguay targets in case I found more bullshit. Sign of the times when nobody can be trusted on this. I thought the bit about cross party talks was interesting though.
Pic: The PM on thugs and bullys
Nice. Pretty much announces what comes next.
Yep – its a beaut image about a nasty fella
Well Uruguay might claim such a reduction but is it credible? Surely that is a valid question.
As with NZ the majority of their emissions will be agricultural based. What are they going to do about them?
As for the rest they will have to ban just about every diesel or petrol powered vehicle. That won’t happen.
By all means criticise the NZ target, but at least it is actually achievable. Having said that more could be done. But a reduction of 90% on 1990 figures by 2030 is completely unrealistic.
Actually, NZ could probably drop below 1990 levels quite easily. The problem we have is a few people are concerned that they won’t make any money out of the transition if we do it rationally and so they stand in the way of that rational action.
In the meantime Groser has overseen NZs emissions increase by 10% in his time as Minister for CC, and has put in place zilch as a means to achieve any reduction. Pull your head out of the sand Wayne – everything your mates say about CC is simply flannel, and hot air, and adds to the steadily climbing atmospheric temperature.
If we, along with every other OECD country, don’t drop to zero energy related emissions by around 2030, then you know what Wayne? We’re fucked.
This ‘achievable’ NZ target is exactly like standing right in the path of the no. 8 bus and being too stupid to move.
Pretty sure we are going to experience a 90% drop in emissions by 2050 regardless. But what does Wayne care? He’ll be past caring about anything by either date.
Sure. Maybe. But a 90% drop from what level and with what temperature rise either locked in or being experienced?
That’s the problem with 90% by 2050 type targets that have no year on year reduction targets…they allow policy makers and politicians to do fuck all. That, and the fact they are sold as science despite the fact that the problem is one of accumulative total emissions, meaning thse aspirational targets have absolutely no basis in science.
I think CV means that by 2050 the shit will have well and truly hit the fan.
I know. But just in case anyone thought resource depletion would save our arses….
To Wayne – Uruguay has many attributes which are similar to NZ – a small-ish population (3.4 million); helpful natural conditions (good wind, decent solar radiation and lots of biomass from agriculture); and the will to make it work.
Unfortunately, Wayne, you support a government which does not have that will. They’re being led by a man who is a puppet of the multi-nationals and who do not have a care for the future of either the planet, or the people on it. They live only in the present. (And its unfortunate for us as well that so many voters are unthinkingly blind to what and who our puppet actually is).
Yep Wayne – doing nothing is absolutely achievable. That Nats have had plenty of practice at that.
Several Syrian army soldiers dead, dozen injured after Western coalition strikes in Syria – reports
So, when does Assad tell the Western Coalition to fuck off? After all, they are their illegally and as an invading force.
Russia can turn on a no fly zone over the most populous parts of Syria immediately, but enforcing it would mean shooting down American and British jets…and then it would get messy.
Actually it is a 88% reduction by 2017 on 2008 figures. In other words in 2017 Uruguay expects to have only 12% of the levels of emissions it had less than 10 years previously.
They must be ignoring agriculture, and even then I would suggest it can still could not be achieved.
Energy emissions account for most of the worlds emissions…by a long, long way (about 80% on a global perspective).
NZ’s bullshit about only accounting for (say) 1% or 0.1% of global energy emissions is arguing that since Manchester (or wherever) only accounts for (say) 1% or 0.1% of energy related emissions, then Manchester and every other fucking place in the world need do nothing.
It doesn’t matter whether NZ or anywhere else only contributes 1% or 0.1% or whatever, the world must be at zero by around 2050 with ‘the west’ hitting zero by around 2030….for a mere 50/50 chance of avoiding 2 degrees C of warming.
you can waste your time debating the numbers Wayne but you continue to miss the salient point….
Uruguay was once paralysed by a seemingly endless and rancorous debate about energy policy.
All that changed when the government finally agreed on a long-term plan that drew cross-party support.
+1. I even put it in bold so people wouldn’t miss it 😉
suspect 10 foot tall letters written in blood would have been missed….theres none so blind as those who will not see.
UBI
Just wondering, where do Labour and the Greens stand on the UBI? It looks like Finland are about to go ahead with it.
https://garethsworld.com/blog/tax-and-welfare/call-for-a-ubi-gains-momentum/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/finland/12035946/Finland-is-considering-giving-every-citizen-800-a-month.html
Labour are making noises about it. The Greens already have it in policy.
https://home.greens.org.nz/policy/income-support-policy
… thanks for the update
Fighting Climate Change: From Dairying to Daring
If farming is the problem then you reduce the amount of farming.
and change the kinds of farming being done.
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/feb/28/serco-shares-rupert-soames-aggreko-chief-executive
“Rupert Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill, took over running the company early last year. He repaired relations with the UK government, which had barred Serco and its rival G4S from new government outsourced work, and pledged to turn around operating performance by cutting costs and getting out of peripheral businesses.”
would be great to see their revenue further reduced by a ban here too.
Saw this great comment from Yanis Varoufakis on twitter, apparently he did a great BBC interview recently… see the linked image