from here

Canterbury & South Island news:

Ngai Tahu offers Aorangi school a life-line. The school has a 40 per cent Maori roll and a bilingual unit. "Ngai Tahu has fewer fluent reo speakers than other iwi and so it is concerning when we hear that a school like Aorangi School in Christchurch, with its bilingual unit, may be shut down." (18 August, Stuff/The Press).

Illegally caught white-bait could be for sale in Christchurch. (18 August, Stuff/The Press).

Public views sought on Council's funding of new conservatorium of music at the Arts Centre. (13 August, CCC).

Planned cycle lane for Harewood Road - public views wanted. (13 August, CCC).

Seen Snare/Mahanga yet?: (Robert McDougall Gallery, open 10.00 am – 4.00 pm). Part of the Christchurch Arts Festival 2009, contemporary artists draw inspiration from Canterbury Museum's bird collection and address issues of extinction, conservation, collecting and preservation. Includes displays of huia etc (and the only recorded huia 'call' as made by a human). Also a gallery of Ngai Tahu artists' work, historic film footage of food gathering (titi, tuna, oyster, inanga...), and eel migration out of Wairewa. Till 13 September.

Marlborough: Pohutukawa unwelcome. Also puriri, karo and kauri. (14 August, Marlborough Express/Stuff).

Nelson: Fresh water fish under threat, says visiting ecologist. Half of them are on the threatened species list. (14 August, Nelson Mail/Stuff).

Nelson: Solar power pilot takes off. Aiming for 1000 solar water heaters in Nelson homes. (14 August, Nelson Mail/Stuff).

Kahurangi National Park: Good result for Mt Arthur kea. (19 August, Nelson Mail/Stuff).

Twizel: Film to record Twizel's history. (15 August, Otago Daily Times).

Dunedin: Locals pitch in to help Hoiho, among world's rarest penguins. (16 August, TVNZ).

Otago: Sea-lion plans raise concern. (15 August, Otago Daily Times).

Lake Wanaka: Pastoral lessee slams conservation groups. (17 August, Otago Daily Times).
Also: A win, but rent war goes on. (19 August, NZ Herald).

Southland: Illegal fishing costs $15,000, boat, car & gear. (15 August, Southland Times).

Southland: Rare sea mammals shot. (13 August, DOC).

North Island & national:

MPs thought to have ditched controversial RMA changes. (18 August, NZ Herald).

Cutting emissions: it's harder than it seems. Peter Wilson. (17 August, 3news.co.nz).

Govt ignored Treasury advice on emissions target. Treasury called for a much softer range. (19 August, NZ Herald).

Jeanette Fitzsimons: Carbon price cap 'could increase emissions'. (17 August, NZ Herald).
Also:
Carbon price cap dubbed perverse. (18 August, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Emissions decision continues bad trend. Gary Taylor. (17 August, NZ Herald).

Something fishy about latest NZFSA diet survey. Swimming with sharks could be safer than eating some varieties of fish sold in New Zealand - Green Party Food Safety Spokesperson, Sue Kedgley. (19 August, Scoop).

Fed Farmers pushes for more water storage. (17 August, TVNZ).

Resene scoops $1m to make 'green' paint. (18 August, NZ Herald).

Cadbury to get rid of palm oil from its chocolates after a public outcry. (17 August, NZ Herald).

Shattering the glass ceiling. What to do with the nation's glass? (15 August, Stuff/Dominion Post).
Also:
Glass sorter project will conquer Mt Visy stockpile. (18 August, NZ Herald).

The honey trap: It takes more than a liking for home grown honey to become a beekeeper. (14 August, Taranaki Daily News/Stuff).

Gluten free is not so simple - don't go off gluten until you've been tested. (19 August, Taranaki Daily News/Stuff).

21st century man: Barefoot, with broadband. People in the developed world spend 20 per cent more on communications services than in 1995 and 20 per cent less on clothing and shoes. - OECD report. (17 August, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Wellington: Turbine plan raises concerns for Karori sanctuary birds. Endangered parrots, wood pigeons and falcons have been identified as possible bird strike victims. (19 August, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Wellington: Harbour pollution fears. BP has applied to pour potentially contaminated water into the harbour. (18 August, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Welington: Young reporters clinch international awards with story on Karori wildlife sanctuary. (17 August, NZ Herald).

Massey: Back to the wild for albatross - found last week underweight, badly bleeding and tangled in an electric fence. (15 August, Manawatu Standard/Stuff).

Waikato: Study finds life in the geothermal zone. (14 August, Stuff/Waikato Times).

Whitebaiters: Help save a species from extinction. (14 August, DOC).

Funding for environmental education action projects: WWF's (and The Tindall Foundation) Environmental Education Action Fund aim is to support schools and communities who, as part of their learning, are taking hands-on action to address an environmental issue. The next round of WWF's Environmental Education Action Fund closes 5pm Tuesday 1 September.  More info here.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Canterbury DOC digital photo competition: Postcards from a Park - to celebrate and highlight the different ways people use parks and reserves in Canterbury. Two categories: Open for amateur photographers & Junior (under 12 years). Entry forms, conditions, prizes & more info: ww.doc.govt.nz/canterburypostcards or here (flickr). Entries close 31 August. A selection of entries will go on show at Our City O-Tautahi from 7 September.

• Submissions wanted: Sustainable Biofuel Bill, NZ Parliament. By Sept 11.
  

• Global Day of Action, 24 October, 2009: to pressure politicians to act decisively at the Copenhagen Climate Change summit in December. Christchurch is planning a climate action festival – including a 350 strong massed choir. Join 349 others at 12.30 pm in the Square on Oct 24 to sing a set of easy to learn songs (with an opportunity to practice before going 'live'). Contact Jocelyn jyc497@gmail.com so you can be kept informed of arrangements. Background info, see: www.350.org. & www.350.org.nz.
  
  
• Enviroschools/Good magazine offer: Good magazine will feature Enviroschools in August issue in its regular 8 page feature Good Cause. And publisher HB Media will donate 20% of all subscriptions sold between August and October to the Enviroschools Foundation. A 12 month subscription (6 copies) is $45 – ie $9 will go to Enviroschools.
  
  
• DOC wants feedback on St James Conservation Area discussion paper. By 14 September. Also on draft guidelines for aircraft access in the Canterbury Conservancy. (29 July, DOC).
  
  
• LEARNZ: curriculum related online virtual field trips for all teachers (and their students) in New Zealand. Some trips for the new term:
  Waikato Dairy Farming 26-28 August - More
  Kakapo 16-18 September - More
  
  

• Have your say: current CCC consultations.
  

• Submissions wanted: on draft Kahurangi National Park management proposals. Including, for e.g., proposals to trial mountain bikes on the Heaphy Track. By 1 September. More here. (DOC).
  
  
• Have your say on the Brooklands Lagoon area parks plans. Consultation closes 31 August.
  
  
• ECan's Environment Enhancement Fund open: 1 June - 31 August. Anyone can apply for up to $5000 for projects that benefit the health of ecosystems in the region. More info/applications: www.ecan.govt.nz/eef.
  
  
• The Outlook for Someday: A challenge to young New Zealanders (up to age 24) to make a short film interpreting the term ‘sustainability’. For more, see: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net. Closes 18 September.
  

& from there

• UK: Is there any point in fighting to stave off industrial apocalypse? The collapse of civilisation will bring us a saner world, says Paul Kingsnorth. No, counters George Monbiot, we can't let billions perish. (17 August, The Guardian).
  
  
• China: China to debate 2030 emission cuts deadline. Emissions of CO2 would start to slow by 2020 and peak by 2030... Even if adopted, far from sufficient to avoid dangerous levels of global warming. (18 August, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: Climate disobedience is on the rise and it's not just for radical activists anymore. (14 August, AlterNet).
  
  
• Australia: Everest climber asks Australia to cut back emissions. Climate change is making it easier to reach the world's highest peak. (17 August, NZ Herald).
  
  
• US: Goldman Sachs: Get ready for oil prices to go back to $147. (6 August, The Busines Insider).
  
  
• China: Baoding - the world's first carbon positive city? (16 August, abc News).
  
  
• EU: Survey shows progression in the evolution of green consumerism. A large majority of EU citizens (83%) said “the impact of a product on the environment plays an important aspect in their purchasing decisions.” (17 August, ecoWorldly).
  
  
• Sweden: WG Film's documentary Bananas* exposes Dole Food Company's poisonous practices. Thousands of Nicaraguan banana plantation workers have been made sterile from exposure to a banned pesticide. (15 August, ecoWorldly).
  
  
• UK: Tesco to put carbon labels on milk. Aims to 'footprint' 500 products by year's end. (17 August).
  
  
• UK: How ethical are supermarket clothes? The cheapest T-shirt in Asda costs £1.50. You don't have to be a mathematician to calculate that this figure doesn't add up. (13 August, The Guardian).
  
  
• France: Paris rooftops swarm with bees as urban honey industry takes off. (18 August, Times Online).
  
  
• UK: Two bed thermal envelope. Zero carbon homes for less than the cost of conventional ones. (16 August, The Guardian).
  
  
• Five recycling myths shattered. (11 August, AlterNet).
  
  Technology:
  
• Australia: Current thinking has hot rocks on a roll. Many hope they will create a clean, plentiful and constant source of energy. (8 August, The Australian).
  
  
• Copenhagen: Electric car industry boost as leading manufacturer plans tens of thousands of vehicles a year. (18 August, The Guardian).
  
  
• Ceramatec: Bringing distributed power storage to your home. (17 August, ecoGeek).
  
  
• Holland: Amsterdam, The Bike City, is the future - if you think cities devoted to bicycle transportation are the next step in urban evolution. (13 August, io9.com).
  
  Natural world:
  
• Spain: Decreasing vulture populations linked to EU regulations on carcass removal. (17 August, ecoWorldly).
  
  
• Monkeys booze because of genes. ( 17 August, BBC).
  
  
• Australian study: Cockroaches future proofed against climate change. (18 August, New Scientist).
  
  
• NASA: 'Life chemical' detected in comet. (18 August, BBC).
  
  
• Phillipines: The newly discovered rat-catching plant named after David Attenborough. (17 August, The Telegraph).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Using ecoNet

Is easy. Just send in to the editor information about an event, activity or submission you want to share and it will go in ecoNet....as long as it's appropriate of course.

ecoNet is put out (Fridays) by Christchurch Branch of NZAEE (NZ Association for Environmental Education), a non-profit, national organisation of people working to promote and support environmental education, lifelong learning and sustainable behaviour throughout New Zealand/Aotearoa.

How do I contribute?

Use the links below to:

• forward ecoNet address to others you think may like to receive it - it's free
  
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• send us information for the weekly diary.
• contact us

• Volunteers wanted: weed control in Mackenzie Basin - in November.

  Help protect the biodiversity of this striking landscape together with rangers from the Department of Conservation (DOC).
  When: 23 - 27 November.
  More info: Here (www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/...).
  NB: They want up to 7 people, tends to be popular, so if interested book now.
  
  

• Forest & Bird planting day:

  To establish a native vegetation corridor on the estuary edge, Ferrymead. 1000 plants going in this year.
  When: 1.00 pm Saturday, 22 August.
  Where: City Council Reserve adjacent to the estuary & near the salt marsh area (Calders Green), Ferrymead. Come off Bridle Path Rd, turning into Ferrymead Park Drive and across the piece of road that takes you over Ferrymead tramway tracks to an unsealed carpark with a large stone by the entrance (look out for the Forest & Bird sign nearby).
  Bring: Sharp spade, plastic bucket for mulch.
  Organised by Nth Canty Branch Forest & Bird, with CCC.
  
  

• Celebrity debate: Too many broths spoil the cook.

  Chair: John Gadsby.
  Ayes: Pinky Agnew, Lianne Dalziel, Michele A’Court.
  Nayes: Jim Hopkins, Aaron Gilmore, Gary McCormick.
  When: 7.00 pm Saturday, 22 August.
  Where: Christchurch Girls High, Matipo St.
  Cost: $25.
  Info/contact: 388 6415.
  Organisers: Christchurch Supergrans - building home skills, helping you grow.
  
  

• Community film screening: Papatuanuku/Earth Whisperers.

  When: 7.30 pm Sunday, 23 August.
  Where: Sand Dance cafe, New Brighton.
  Cost: $2.00.
  Contact: George nbgardens@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• Talk: What if the New Zealand Electricity Market were done right?

  Striking a balance between public good and private profit - a 'sustainability' design for a power system that breaks down entrenched mythologies that put public good and private profit at odds, and instead illustrates the constructive synergies.
  Speaker: Dr Susan Krumdieck, Assoc Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.00 pm Tuesday, 25 August.
  Where: Lecture Rm 1, School of Engineering, University of Canterbury. (The Mushroom).
  All wlecome.
  Organisers: ESR (Engineers for Social Responsibility).
  
  

• Talk: WEA Issues of the Day series.

  When are we likely to get back to normal? Speaker: Dr John Peet.
  When: 1.30 - 2.30 pm, Wed, 26 August.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $4.00
  More info/contact: WEA cwea@xtra.co.nz or 366 0285.
  
  

• Talk: Wednesday nights at the WEA.

  The Global Financial Crisis: Where did it come from and what will happen next?
  Speaker: Paul Dalziel, Professor of Economics, Lincoln University.
  When: 5.30 pm Wednesday, 26 August.(Soup, bread, tea & coffee at 5.30, talk and discussion begins at 6.00 pm).
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: Gold coin.
  Register/contact/info: cwea@xtra.co.nz or 366 0285.
  
  

• Seminar: Working together for sector well-being.

  Ideas for coping during the recession. A tangata whenua, community & voluntary sector seminar.
  Opening speaker: Dr Paul Dalziel, Professor of Economics, Lincoln University, on 'The Financial Crisis: What Happens Next?'.
  When: 12.30 - 4.30 pm Thursday, 27 Aug.
  Where: Oxford Tce Baptist Church Lounge.
  BYO lunch, Trade Aid tea & coffee provided.
  RSVP: to COSS, ccoss@ihug.co.nz, 366 2050.
  
  

• Green Drinks: a chance to catch up socially with environment professionals, activists, thinkers, good jokers.

  When: 5.30 pm Thursday, 27 August.
  Where: Belgian Cafe, Armagh St (near Durham).
  
  

• Film: Lucio, 2007, 93 min.

  Documentary about Lucio, now 75 & living in Paris - a still active Robin Hood anarchist bricklayer, bank robber, forger, dedicated to promoting the freedom of working people everywhere. Trailer here.
  When: 6.30 pm Thursday, 27 August.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: Gold coin donation. Food, drinks, childcare provided.
  Contact: otautahianarchists@gmail.com
  Organised by: Katipo Books.
  
  

• Talk: UC Climate Change series: social and political consequences of climate change:

  Managing organisations' carbon impacts: Is there anything to learn from the public sector?
  - early findings from a three-year research programme on Carbon Neutrality.
  Speaker: Amanda Ball, Professor of Accounting, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.00 - 8.30 pm Thursday, 27August.
  Where: on registration. (University campus).
  Cost: $15.00, students free.
  More info: Here.
  Organisers: Continuing Education, University of Canterbury.
  
  

• Invitation: NZ launch of the Global Poverty Project.

  The Global Poverty Project aims to catalyse the end of extreme poverty by communicating the issues surrounding poverty. 90 minute presentation, '1.4billion reasons', shows how by making simple changes everyone can be a part of the solution.
  When: 7.00 pm Thursday, 27 August. Where: Majestic Theatre, cnr Manchester & Lichfield St.
  All welcome, free admission.
  RSVP: rsvp.christchurch@globalpovertyproject.com
  More info: www.globalpovertyproject.com.
  Supported by the UN Millennium Campaign and Google.
  
  

• Course: Sustainable Living.

  A two afternoon quick summary of the full 'practical action at home' community education course.
  Presenter: Rhys Taylor.
  When: 1.00 - 4.00 pm Sat & Sun, 29 & 30 August.
  Where: Lyttelton Community Garden, Oxford St. (behind the swimming pool).
  Cost: $30.
  Contact/register: Roz 328 8552.
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week: Interview with David Rovics, international activist & songwriter, who also
  performs some of his songs.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.
  

Coming up:

• NZAEE event/seminar: Building community resilience as we 'power down' in the face of climate change & peak oil.

  MC: Bill Simpson, Community Resilience team leader, ECan.
  Speakers: Carl Pickens, landscape architect & organic gardener; Christoph Hensch, manager St Albans Community Centre & Transition community activist.
  When: 5.00 - 7.00 pm Wednesday, 2 Sept.
  Where: Waiau Theatrette, Environment Canterbury, 58 Kilmore St.
  More info contact: Jocelyn jyc@caverock.net.nz.
  
  

• Opening soon: Rolleston Envirotown Market

  Produce and crafts.
  Opening Day: 10.00 - 1.00 pm Sunday, 13 September. (Once a month, 2nd Sunday).
  Where: Rolleston Square, Rolleston.
  Interested to have a stall?
  Contact: Catherine 347 8240 or e-mail Nicole tonicermu@gmail.com (with Rolleston Envirotown Market in the subject line).
  
  

• Conservation Week 2009.

  An annual national series of DOC events.
  When: 13 - 20 September.
  More info: here (www.doc.govt.nz/features-archive/conservation-week-2009/).
  
  

• World Car-free day.

  When: 22 September.
  
  

• September concert: Earthdance.

  When: 12.00 pm till sunset Sunday, 27 September.
  Where: Manaia Native Habitat, Okuti Valley, Little River. (The old Birdland's Sanctuary).
  Cost: $10 - proceeds to Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust.
  Also to mark the re-opening of the Little River campground.
  Participation from environmental groups, stall holders, etc, welcome.
  Contact: Marcus, Little River campground, 021 611820 or marcus@cpsa.org.nz
  More info: www.earthdance.org.

Conferences:

• Two day course: Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

  LCA is an analytical tool for the systematic
  evaluation of the environmental impacts of a product or service system through all
  stages of its life. Full explanation & more info here. (Incl. venues, registration, cost etc).
  When: 17, 18 September, Christchurch.
  Organised by NZSSES. (NZ Society for Sustainability Engineering and Science).
  
  

• RSNZ workshop: Ocean acidification

  - the science behind it, its relevance to NZ's marine ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture, & needs and research priorities for the future.
  Primarily for government and private sector agencies with an interest in climate change, the marine environment, fisheries and aquaculture. Intended as a two-way dialogue: to inform agencies of key scientific and technical issues, and to inform the scientific community of the most important priorities for filling knowledge gaps and hence future research.
  When: 9.00 - 4.30 Wed, 9 September.
  Where: Science house, Turnbull St, Wellington.
  Registration/info: www.royalsociety.org.nz.
  Organised by: RSNZ.
  
  

• October Conference, Northland: National Marine and Freshwater Wananga.

  For all those involved or interested in freshwater & marine conservation, education and community engagement.
  Theme: Mountains to Sea - Engaging communities in marine and freshwater
  conservation.
  When: Wednesday 7th - Friday 9th October, 2009.
  Where: Whakapaumahara Marae, Whananaki, Northland.
  More info: www.emr.org.nz
  

Reminders:

• Art Exhibition: Second Life.

  Bringing refuse back to intelligent life. (Works from recycled materials supplied by the Super Shed).
  Top entries from '09 Super Shed schools recycling competition, for Canterbury school children, years 4 - 10.
  When: 11 - 28 August.
  Where: Top Floor, CocA, 66 Gloucester St.
  Also: Recycled/found faces: a workshop for school children, primary/intermediate (year 1 - 8): here. (workshop #2). Background info here(school workshops).
  Contact/info: 366 7261, www.coca.org.nz
  or Nikki topfloor@coca.org.nz.
  Supported by Ministry of Education.
  

• Free home composting workshops:

  Hot composting of kitchen scraps & garden waste, Bokashi and worm farms. All methods demonstrated.
  At several sites:
  1. Seven Oaks Education Centre, 35 Hassals Lane. 1.00 - 2.30 pm each Saturday.
  2. Okeover Community Garden - University of Canterbury, Engineering Road. (Map here). 12.00 - 1.30 pm each Wednesday.
  3. Lyttelton Community Garden, 54A Oxford Street, 10.30 – 12.00 pm each Saturday.
  More info/contact: Annmarie 021 190 4559 or 942 7190 (evenings).
  Supported by CCC.
  
  

• Gardening courses: starting a garden, seed saving, composting, pickling & preserving, etc.

  Where: Strickland Street Community Garden, 188 Strickland Street, Spreydon. 
  When: for times & dates see their website www.sscommunitygarden.net.nz.
  Further info/contact: 942 6630.
  Supported by CCC.
  
  

• Event: Oxfam Trailwalker, 10 - 11 April 2010.

  Four people one goal: 100 km in 36 hours.
  More info & registration: here. (Oxfam Trailwalker NZ).
  Funds raised support Oxfam New Zealand's humanitarian, development and advocacy work to lift some of the world's poorest people out of poverty. Oxfam Trailwalker won Best Environmentally Sustainable Event at the 2009 Event Industry Awards.