Oceans turning acidic – but does anyone know about it?

Very little is known about how increasingly acidic oceans will affect New Zealand marine life, a new report says.
The report, released by the Royal Society of New Zealand last month, laid out the problems for scientists and policy makers dealing with ocean acidification.
Awareness surrounding this aspect of global warming is low, even within the [...]

Planting a sustainable future

Turning sheep paddocks back into native bush was the goal of about 30 volunteer tree-planters last Sunday at Orere Point’s Tapapakanga Regional Park.

The volunteer tree planting day was part of an Auckland Regional Council programme to restore the region’s parks to how they once looked and functioned.

Mags Ramsey, ARC park ranger [...]

Waterview greenery would suffer further under Act

Waterview residents are horrified by the effects a proposed motorway connection could have on local green space, but Act Party policy would see it even further reduced.
The party’s candidate for the Mt Albert by-election, John Boscawen, says his party favours an alternative route – one that may save houses but would destroy additional parklands [...]

National budget backs warmer homes scheme

After this week’s Budget, 180,000 homeowners will be eligible for grants to improve insulation and energy efficiency within their homes.
The scheme comes as part of the Government’s major investment in household energy efficiency.
As announced in the budget, the scheme will be given $323.3 million over the next four years.
More than one million homes in [...]

Renewable energy takes centre stage

As concerns about carbon emissions and climate change grow, a ceremony in Auckland on Thursday night recognised people using everything from waste sludge to wood pellets to generate renewable energy.
The 2009 Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, sponsored by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), brought attention to new [...]

SAFE speeds up pigs campaign with digital technology

The speed of digital media has allowed a “freedom for pigs” campaign to quickly raise public awareness of intensive pig farming in New Zealand.

SAFE (Save Animals from Exploitation) received unprecedented public support following the exposure of squalor-like farming conditions on TVNZ’s Sunday programme on May 17.

Director of SAFE Anthony Terry says digital [...]

Solution to wastewater woes a long way off

Cox’s Bay residents are bracing themselves for another winter in a city “cesspit”.

The Herne Bay community sees around 50 sewage overflows a year, most of which are the result of pipes spilling over in the rainy winter months.

Western Bays Community Board member Kate Stanton attributes these spills to the outdated combined wastewater system that [...]

Kiwis learn to fly kites

A New Zealand company is exploring the use of giant kites as a way to reduce the carbon emissions of its ships.
Zespri is investigating using skysails with its shipping partners, a system that involves harnessing the wind’s energy by flying a huge kite, similar to a paraglider’s, 100 to 300m off the bow.�
Depending on [...]

Going green or cutting costs?

It seems the recent move by the Warehouse to charge 10c for its plastic bags has started a wave of companies who want to go green.
But with all these moves to go green many are questioning their agenda. Are they really being environmentally friendly like they claim, or is this great public relations campaign hiding [...]

Still thinking green in tough times

New Zealand’s construction industry is focusing its efforts toward promoting and educating clients on sustainability, despite the impact of the recession.
Hawkins Construction sustainability manager Craig Watkins says sustainability is becoming the “industry norm” as tenants are demand more environmentally friendly buildings.
“In a recession, sustainable building construction is even more important as it reduces costs [...]