from here

Canterbury & South Island news:

Marinas, cafes, parks in plan for Lyttelton port. (30 October, The Press/Stuff).

Split visible as ECan greets new chairman. (30 October, Stuff/The Press).
Also:
Ecan chairman welcomes Government review. (28 October, ECan).
Also:
ECan's work under the gun. (29 October, Stuff/The Press).

CCC annual report highlights. (22 October, CCC).

New book by Hugh Wilson: Natural History of Banks Peninsula. (21 October, University of Canterbury).

CCC offering a helping hand with funding workshops. (22 October, CCC).

Halswell solo mum wins gardener of the year award. c2min. video clip. (29 October, 3news.co.nz).

Lyttelton: Celebrating Harbour Kitchens. (28 October, CCC).

Clean Heat project reaches Kaiapoi & Rangiora and Timaru. Offers free, no-obligation assessments. (23 October, ECan).

Public consultation: managing Belfast's growth and development. Till 4 December. (27 October, CCC).

ECan records of pollution permanently on the database, no matter how thoroughly cleaned. (26 October, Stuff/The Press).

Lincoln Envirotown Trust 2010 biodiversity calendar. $10.00 for a good cause. Enquiries to: sue.jarvis@orcon.net.nz. (23 October, LET).

Marlborough: Wairau report shows RMA reform needed - Smith. (28 October, National Business Review).

Marlborough: Tough line sought on use of 1080. (26 October, Stuff/Marlborough Express).

Motueka River: The country's clearest river. Ministry for the Environment's league tables. (27 October, nelson Mail/Stuff).

Nelson: Young 'greenies' off to Copenhagen. (29 October, Nelson Mail/Stuff).

Nelson: Maori remains prompt roading directive. Road should never have been put there - old people in the area horrified by vehicles "thumping" over their ancestors. (29 October, Nelson Mail/Stuff).

Kaikoura: 4WD weekends in Clarence Reserve. (23 October, DOC).

Lake Hawea/Hunter River: Major opposition to allowing jet-boats. (28 October, Otago Daily Times).

Tiwai: Conservation land destroyed by fire last week - recovery could take 50 years. (27 October, Southland Times/Stuff).

Te Anau: Bait stations keeping Eglington rats under control. (21 October, DOC).

North Island & national:

New Zealanders' 'Green fatigue' increasing - survey. (29 October, Otago Daily Times).

NZ Medical Journal: ETS changes too risky for economy. Will sabotage the economy and siphon money from badly-needed public services. (30 October, Stuff/The Press).

Climate subsidies worth $225K with each Tiwai job. (27 October, NZ Herald).

NZ's grim marine by-catch toll under the spotlight. A gathering in Wellington next month will tackle the issue. (27 October, Otago University).

Seaweed harvesting raises habitat concerns. (28 October, NZ Herald).

Water under NZ causing quakes. (28 October, Manawatu Standard/Stuff).

Panel to consider accuracy of food labels. (23 October, TVNZ).
Also:
Aussies control review of food labelling laws. (28 October, NZ Herald).

Toxic e-junk probe baffles recycler. (27 October, NZ Herald).

DairyNZ chairman defends his industry. "I used to be proud to say I was a dairy farmer, now I have to wear a hoodie and I'm afraid to say I am a corporate dairy farmer," one questioner said. (27 October, Manawatu Standard/Stuff).

Composting portable loo wins business challenge. (26 October, NZ Herald).

Wellington: Recidivist rock throwing paua poacher gaoled. (27 October, Otago Daily Times).

Greens: Call for action on kauri killer. (27 October, Stuff/Western Leader).

Manawatu: Environmental challenge seen in intensive farming. The main contaminants are phosphorus, nitrogen, sediment and faecal bacteria. (27 Ocotber, Manawatu Standard/Stuff).

Auckland: Deadly slug spread unknown - experts. (28 October, NZ Herald).

Coromandel: Cathedral Cove landscape changed forever. Chunk fallen off the Mare's leg. (27 October, DOC).

NZ quail remains extinct. (24 October, TVNZ).

Conservation fears with start of whitebaiting season. c2 min video clip. (29 October, 3news.co.nz).

Southern right whales - something really special. Fragile population may be recovering. (22 October, DOC).

Seal pup causes commotion in Auckland suburbia. (28 October, NZ Herald).

Weeds: Aliens in our backyards. (24 October, NZ Herald).

2009 Youth Volunteer Awards: Know a young person (under 21) who has made a big contribution to our community? Why not volunteer him/her for an award? More info at www.volcan.co.nz. Nominations close 6 November.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• It's the season to be cycling. CCC's new cycling website www.seasonofcycling.co.nz. (21 October, CCC).
  
  
• LEARNZ Field trips:
  Project Crimson (pohutakawa and southern rata restoration) 21 - 23 October.
  Wetland Treasures (Ashburton Lakes) 4 - 6 November.
  Cool Wind Farm (Antarctica) 12 - 20 November.
  Blue Duck (Karamea) 18 - 20 November.
  Background info & more here: www.learnz.org.nz. Supported by Ministry of Education.
  
  
• Metro service improvements: From Monday, 2 November. Greater frequency, route extensions, more direct routes, and new services. Lots of routes are changing. Check them out - you may be affected. (Source: Metro, www.metro.co.nz).
  
  
• Big Game hunting discussion document. Open for submissions till 23 November. (25 September, DOC).
  
  
• Feel the Heat Petition. Take action on Climate Change. (www.oxfam.org.nz).
  Also:
  Sign on: There's no planet B. Sign On (More than 135,000 NZers so far). (www.signon.org.nz).
  
  
• Have your say: current CCC consultations.
  
  
• Love it or lose it: save our heritage places. No government has the right to deprive our children of our most treasured places and native species. Download the petition, send a message to PM. (The Green Party's anti-mining webpage).
  
  
• Last two days! Nominations for the 2009 Roger Award for the worst transnational corporation operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand close 31 October. More info/entry forms: here. (CAFCA). NB: Fonterra not eligible for nomination: only foreign-owned companies are.

& from there

• UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December unlikely to agree a legally binding treaty and even backers of a robust pact are reluctantly starting to look to new deadlines in 2010. (27 October, Reuters).
  
  
• UK: Science museum unveils climate change map showing impact of 4C rise. (22 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: Analysis shows big polluters to reap benefits of climate deal. (28 October, Reuters).
  
  
• Copenhagen: Historic chance to halt the scourge of deforestation. (26 October, The Independent).
  Also:
  Brazil: Brazil eyes deeper CO2 cuts, backs UN forest plan. Looking at a 40 percent reduction over 2020 levels. (27 October, Reuters).
  Also: Treaty omission spells bad news for rainforests. (29 October, NZ Herald).
  
  
• UK: Lord Stern: Vegetarian diet better for the planet. Meat wastes water, creates greenhouse gases and could become as socially unacceptable as drink-driving. (26 October, The Guardian).
  Also: Critics round on Lord Stern. (28 October, Times Online).
  Also: No need to panic - giving up meat is easy. (28 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: 'Resilience thinking': a crucial missing piece of the
  climate-change jigsaw and more useful than 'sustainability'. Rob Hopkins. (21 October, Transition Culture).
  
  
• Sweden: “Climate declared: .87 kg CO2 per kg of product.” To cut global warming, Swedes study their plates. (22 October, New York Times).
  
  
• Yemen: Could become first nation to run out of water. (21 October, Times Online).
  
  
• US: A blueprint for restoring the world's oceans to health. Chief among remedies is the creation of a large, global network of marine protected areas. Interview with explorer scientist Sylvia Earle. (12 October, Yale Environment 360).
  
  
• US: Nudging recycling from less waste to none. Zero waste is moving from the fringes to the mainstream. (19 October, New York Times).
  
  
• The truth about the disappearing honey bees: Pollinators are important for many crops, but it is a myth that humanity would starve without bees. More than 80 per cent of the planet's 250,000 species of flowering plants are pollinated by animals. (26 October, New Scientist).
  
  
• India: Micro loans bring light to rural poor. (27 October, Reuters).
  
  
• UK: Junk food 'as bad as heroin'. Programmes your brain to make you crave more, scientists reveal. (28 October, Daily Express).
  
  
• World's 10 most incredible earth scars. (28 October, environmental graffiti).
  
  
• Brazilian artist Nelly Azavedo made a thousand little men from ice, and then left them to melt on the steps of Berlin's Concert Hall. Photo sequence. (3 September, sepienta).
  
  
Technology:

• Germany: Smart grid at the very heart of the nation's efficient energy production plans. Wants to start a future "energy revolution". (Carbon emissions already down 23% since 1990.) (21 October, Power & Energy).
  
  
• Japan: Toyota to release solar charger for electric vehicles. (27 October, Physorg.com).
  
  
• India: Eco-tech: Retired Indian engineer builds glaciers to slow glacial melting. (28 October, ecofriend).
  
  
• How to catch the Sahara's sun for Europe? Some options (photos). (26 October, New Scientist).
  
  
• Australia: Japan leads solar car race. Doing around 800 km a day. 1 min 15 videoclip. (27 October, The Guardian).
  
  Natural world:
  
• US: The human body is built for distance. "It’s only recently that running has become associated with pain and injury." (26 October, New York Times).
  
  
• Genetic evidence for human-Neanderthal hanky panky? (27 October, New Scientist).
  
  
• US: Astronaut Sunita Williams' pictures of earth. (December 2008, www.slideshare.net)
  
  
• UK: Skull of huge sea monster found. Could have eaten T. Rex for breakfast. (27 October, Times Online).
  
  
• Arctic: Palms once grew in ice free Arctic. (26 October, abc news/Reuters).
  
  
• US/Antarctica: To protect penguins, protect krill. Winter krill down by 80% in past 20 years. (28 October, Reuters Alertnet).
  
  
• Australia, Macquarie Island: Rabbits eating through world heritage site. (26 October, NZ Herald).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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

• Science talk/seminar: New programme at Mt John observatory - Can we find Earth-mass planets orbiting our nearest star, Alpha Centauri?

  Speaker: Professor John Hearnshaw, Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury.
  When: 11.00 - 12.00 pm Friday, 30 Oct.
  Where: Rm 701, Rutherford building, University of Canterbury. (map here).
  More info: here.
  
  

• World Teachers' Day (30 October) at Aorangi School.

  Hands up for learning - kia mau ki te whaka ako. Join Teachers Union (NZEI - te Riu Roa) members from around the South Island & show your support for learning and to keep Aorangi School open. May be last chance to show Minister of Education, Anne Tolley, how wider Christchurch values the Aorangi community.
  When: 12.15 pm Friday, 30 October.
  Where: Aorangi School, Colwyn St, Bryndwr.
  School background here.
  
  

• Forest & Bird weekend field trip.

  Choice between an easy trip & one requiring fitness.
  Where: St James Station, (towards Lewis Pass).
  When: Saturday, 31 October & Sunday, 1 November. (Friday night accommodation available at Forest Camp, Hamner Springs).
  More info/contact: Lesley 379 0316, or Andrew ajsimpsonz@hotmail.com.
  
  

• Meurky Walk: Guided botanical walk

  Around the estuary to Pleasant Pt. Park & Bexley wetlands.
  Guide: Dr Colin Meurk, Landcare Research/ Manaaki Whenua botanist.
  When: 9.00 am Saturday, 31 October.
  Where: Meet at Humphreys Drive (estuary) car park.
  Bring: Sturdy footwear, lunch, drink, all weather clothing, a few coins (for shuttle bus back to start, c2.00 pm).
  Contact: Anna-Marie Barnes 337 9593, or 0211 093534.
  
  

• Spring plant sale: Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

  When: 9.00 -1.00pm Saturday, 31 October.(Also: 2.00 - 3.00 pm free practical gardening demonstration - growing plants from
  cuttings with the Gardens' Nursery Coordinator
  Also: Information Centre shop sale 10.15 - 4.00 pm).
  Where: Gardens Information Centre, adjacent footbridge, far end Armagh St car park, North Hagley Park.
  Contact: Anna 941 7592.
  
  

• Open Day: New Brighton Community Gardens.

  Cob pizza oven; heritage seedlings, herbs, garden plants for a gold coin; games for kids; Devonshire afternoon tea. Bring excess seedlings or produce for the 'sustainable swap'.
  When: 11.00 - 4.00 pm Saturday, 31 Oct. Where: 136 Shaw Ave., behind gates of Rawhiti Domain.
  
  

• Work day: Quail Island Restoration Trust.

  When: Sunday, 1 November.
  (Ferry leaves Lyttelton 9.20 am and returns 3.30 pm).
  Booking essential.
  Contact: Ian McLennan ph 384 5338 or id.mclennan@xtra.co.nz.
  Background info: www.quailisland.org.nz
  
  

• Talk: The ideal of the rule of law:

  The unifying feature of all just civil societies and the ultimate principle of legality.
  Speaker: Philip Joseph, Professor of Law, University of Canterbury.
  When: 6.00 - 7.00 pm Tuesday, 3 Nov.
  Where:
  (Part of 2009 UC in the City lecture series).
  
  

• Course: Local government democracy.

  Three weekly sessions.
  This week: The state of local democracy today: threats and opportunities.
  Speaker: Mike Reid, Local Government NZ.
  When: 7.00 - 8.30 pm Wednesdays, starting 4 November.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $5.00. ($14.00 for the series).
  More here (item 6).
  Contact/register: 366 0285 or cwea@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• Talk series: Peace People.

  5 weekly lectures and discussion.
  This week: Parihaka Visitors.
  Speakers: Rob Ritchie and Caleb Martin.
  When: 1.00 - 2.30 pm Wednesday, 4 November.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $4.00.
  Contact/register: CWEA, 366 0285 or see here.
  
  

• Talk & slideshow: Christchurch's Great Perimeter Walkway.

  Appreciating the biodiversity of Christchurch & environs. Hear the Perimeter Walkway story, see pictures of some of the varied landscapes & plants and find out how you can enjoy it.
  Speaker: Colin Meurk, ecologist, Landcare Research/Manaaki Whenua.
  When: 7.00 pm Wednesday, 4 November.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: Gold coin koha.
  Contact: Rhys 03 960 2656.
  Organised by: Living Streets & SOC (Sustainable Otautahi Christchurch).
  
  

• Talk: 2009 Lincoln University State of the Nation's Environment Address: Sustainable Landscapes.

  Speaker: Dr Diane Menzies, President, International Federation of Landscape Architects.
  When: 5.00 pm Thursday, 5 November.
  Where: Stewart lecture theatre 1, Stewart building, Lincoln University.
  
  

• Event: Remembering Rod Donald - share stories and a drink on the 4th anniversary of his death.

  When: 5.00 pm Friday, 6 November.
  Where: Warners Hotel, Cathedral Square.
  Organisers: Aoraki Greens.
  
  

• Talk: A Quintessential English Garden.

  Speaker: Chris Beardshaw, UK, garden designer, consultant, & Chelsea Flower Show multi award-winner.
  When: 7.00 pm Friday, 6 November.
  Where: Canterbury Horticultural Society Hall, 57 Riccarton Road.
  Cost: $20.00.
  Contact/tickets: 379 4581 or 57 Riccarton Rd. or
  www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz
  
  

• Free bike maintenance workshop:

  When: 11.00 - 3.00 pm Saturday, Nov 7. Where: Linwood community art gallery, cnr
  Worchester St & Stanmore Rd.
  Volunteers to help oil chains, pump tyres &
  adjust brakes very welcome.
  Contact: Jenny 379 5134.
  
  

• New Brighton course: Sustainable Living.

  Learn the basics of sustainable organic gardening, how to conserve water, reduce waste & your carbon foot print while saving money.  
  When: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Saturdays ( 7 November - 12 December).
  Where: New Brighton Community Gardens.
  More info/contact: George 388 6506 or nbgardens@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• Presentation: The Last Ocean - Why the Ross Sea  should become a Marine Protected Area.

  Speakers: Dr David Ainley, US, Dr Peter Wilson, NZ, & documentary film-maker Peter Young.
  When: 7.30 pm Sunday, 8 November.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery auditorium, Worcester Blvd.   
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week: Rob Ritchie, Committee to Replace Guy Fawkes Day with Parihaka Day - November 5 should be Parihaka Day not Guy Fawkes Day. This is NZ, not England! 
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.
  

Coming up:

• Biological science talk: Promiscuous proteins.

  New insights into antibiotic design, nanodevices, counter-terrorism and big fluffy croissants.
  How protein structures assemble into remarkable molecular machines.
  Speaker: Professor Juliet Gerrard, School of Biological Science, University of Canterbury.
  When: 6.00 - 7.00 pm Tuesday, 10 Nov.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery.
  Part of the 2009 UC in the City lecture series.
  More info: Here. (www.canterbury.ac.nz).
  
  

• AGM: NZAEE Christchurch Branch.

  (NZ Association for Environmental Education).
  When: 7.30 - 9.00 pm Tuesday, 10 Nov.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  All welcome.
  
  

• Forest & Bird talk: Freshwater ecology of Canterbury’s wild rivers.

  Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Angus McIntosh, Mackenzie Foundation Chair in Freshwater Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.30 pm Wednesday, 11 November.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Supper to follow; all welcome.
  
  

• Science talk: 2009 RSNZ Distinguished Speaker: Einstein's blunder undone: Exploding stars and the accelerating universe.

  Speaker: Robert E Kirshner, Clowes Professor of Science, Harvard University.
  When: 7.30 pm Thursday 12 November.
  Where: Great Hall, Arts Centre, Worcester Blvd.
  Organisers: RSNZ (Royal Society of NZ).
  
  

• New Plymouth event: 7th New Zealand Cycling Conference:

  Communities, Connections & the Economy.
  When: Thursday 12 & Friday 13 November. Where: TSB Showplace, New Plymouth.
  More info/register: here. (cyclingconf.org.nz).
  Organisers: NZ Cycling Conference and CANDo.
  
  

• The Wild Rivers Day:

  Field trip to the upper Hurunui River.
  When: Sunday 29 November.
  More shortly.
  
  

• Wellington event: Camp for climate action: Team up, get trained, take action.

  Seeks to address the real causes of climate change & build a people's movement that can and will stop disastrous climate change.
  When: 16 - 21 December, 2009.
  Where: Wellington.
  More info/contact: www.climatecamp.org.nz.
  
  

• NZAEE Biennial Conference: Te Ahu Whakamua - Taking the next steps.

  When: 19 - 22 January 2010.
  Where: Hawkes Bay.
  Registrations now open.
  Much more info/contact/registrations: here. (www.nzaeeconference2010.co.nz).
  NZAEE: NZ Association for Environmental Education.
  

Reminders:

• Free home composting workshops:

  Hot composting of kitchen scraps & garden waste, Bokashi and worm farms. All methods demonstrated.
  1. Seven Oaks Education Centre, 35 Hassals Lane. 1.00 - 2.30 pm each Saturday.
  2. 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.