Welcome

to ecoNet Newsletter.

Keep sending us info for promoting your environmental events and causes. And pass on news of ecoNet Newsletter and our subscription address: eventdiary@environment.org.nz to others you think may find it interesting/useful.

Here's a further selection of news and articles and bits and pieces of interest from around and about, and here and there, eg:

from here

Dr Jan Wright: time to "carefully and systematically prioritise our environmental challenges”. 10th annual state of the nation's environment address. (29 August, Lincoln University).

New Canterbury biodiversity website launched - "for Cantabrians who appreciate our region's unique and varied wildlife and ecosystems".(ECan).

Ann Brower: Who Owns the High Country? From little research project to storm of protest to book launch. (2 September, Lincoln Universtiy).

Heritage Week 2008: Young (5 - 13 years) Canterbury students encouraged to be creative with history. (3 September, CCC).

New book: Banks Peninsula in poetry and prose (3 September, University of Canterbury).

Antarctic Festival: "Christchurch calling Scott Base..."(4 september, CCC).

Tasman: Environment Ministry blocked bids to test for dioxins. (30 August, Stuff/The Nelson Mail).

Mackenzie Basin: Landscape rules challenged. (submissions on district plan change 13). (3 September, Stuff).

Waitaki farmers plan private hydro scheme. (2 September, Otago
Daily Times).

Farmers fear Meridian threat to irrigation. (3 September, Otago Daily Times).
Early agreement scotched (4 September, Otago Daily Times).

Upper South Island: Avalanche debris, fallen trees make tracks risky. (1 September, Stuff).

Government and the mining industry appear at loggerheads over potential for turning billions of tonnes of southern lignite into cheap diesel fuel. (2 September, Otago Daily Times).

Auckland Harbour bridge: cycle, pedestrian lanes binned. (4 September, NZ Herald).

Auckland: Waitemata Harbour's Chelsea park: great example of business, community groups, councils and government departments working together - DOC Minister. (3 September, NZHerald).

Auckland: editorial re-John Banks' call to give leaky home-builders a public airing. (2 August, NZ Herald).

Contact Energy applies for 177 Megawatt wind farm in NI. (2 September, Stuff).

Manawatu's proposed Turitea wind farm: locals against Mighty River's call-in application - a loss of democratic process?(2 September, Stuff).

Crest Energy's Kaipara Harbour 200 turbine tidal power scheme not all smooth sailing. (1 August, NZ Herald). Iwi unsure about proposal. (3 September, Stuff/Northland News).

Northland: Faultlines appear over sacred site. (2 September, NZ Herald).

Organic lobby says pesticide find supports country of origin labelling. (3 August, Otago Daily Times).

Temuka: Bats having a ball. (4 September, Timaru Herald).

Tai Rawhiti pipi, paua poaching crackdown, vehicles seized. (3 September, Gisborne Herald).

Baby seals torn apart on Northland beach. (3 September, Northern Advocate).

Cape Kidnappers kiwi release: the first of sixty - the first there for 150 years. (3 September, Hawkes Bay Today).

Forest & Bird: Ministry of Fisheries in denial over shark finning. (4 September, Forest & Bird). Vast majority of Kiwis opposed. To sign the shark finning pledge, go to http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/.

Conservation Week 2008: Virtual learning helps kids to ‘Meet their Locals’. (29 August, Enviroschools). Also: DOC fact sheets and education resources.

Submissions wanted for National Environmental Standard for onsite waste-water disposal systems (eg septic tanks). By 5 pm Friday, 26 September. (Ministry for the Environment).

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Greenpeace: red fish list. (greenpeace.org).
  
  
• Canterbury organic course starts in October. (August, Organic Pathways). More here: www.bhu.co.nz..
  
  

• A voice for Kiwi cyclists: Cycling Advocates' Network: CAN's 9-point plan for cycling safety. (Sign the petition).
  

• Govt wants your input: for National Policy Statement on Urban Design. Before Tuesday, 30 September. (Ministry for the Environment).
  
  
• Last days: Public asked for views on Sumner beach parks: by 8 September. (5 August, CCC).
  
  
• Wanted: Waste Advisory Board nominations. Before 7 September. (Ministry for the Environment).
  
  
• Competition for young people (under 20): Make a 5 minute film about sustainability. Entry deadline 19 September.

• Nominations (till end of October) for this year's Roger Award:
  Organised by CAFCA. info here.   Also from CAFCA: NZ & Foreign Control - Key facts.
  

& from there

• Climate fight hit by global slowdown. (29 August, Reuters).
  
  
• Head of UN's Nobel-winning climate scientists: seven years left to stabilise emissions of global-warming gases. (4 July, Physorg.com).
  
  
• US: Coal plans go up in smoke: the growing backlash against coal fired power has become biggest ever US environmental campaign. (3 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: Nasa scientist appears in court to support climate change activists accused of damaging a power station. (4 September, The Independent).
  
  
• 7 places global warming is smacking the crap out of the earth right now. (3 September, Earthfirst).
  
  
• Why are oil prices falling? (Richard Heinberg and James Kunstler). (4 September, Life after the oil crash).
  
  
• Russia's collective farms: hot capitalist property. (30 August, New York Times).
  
  
• Brazil: Deforestation rises sharply as farmers push into Amazon. (1 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• How many stories have you seen about high oil and gasoline prices? What about global electricity shortages? (2 September, Energy Tech Stocks).
  
  
• US: Heating crisis looms: Home heating bills expected to rise dramatically this winter & government support program may not be able to meet the needs of cash-strapped households.(2 September, CNNmoney.com).
  
  
• Australia: still leading the world on coal emissions - Global study. (29 August, Heraldsun.com).
  
  
• Report: China's fast growing footprint: if it were to follow the consumption patterns of the US, it would demand the available biocapacity of the entire planet. (16 July, Global Footprint Network).
  
  
• Industry groups suing to reverse polar bear protection. (1 September, Treehugger).
  
  
• Germany: Charge brought against Bayer for mass death of bees. (25 August, Organic Consumers Association). See also: English honey harvest halved after catastrophic drop in bee numbers. (2 September, The Telegraph).
  
  
• UK: Eaten Up: interview with Raj Patel whose book Stuffed and Starved predicted the current global food crisis. (29 July, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: Slow Food Nation attracts 50,000. (1 September, Energy Bulletin).
  More here: Slow food for thought. Eric schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation. (3 September, The Nation). & Farmworkers at the table. (4 September, gristmill).
  
  
• World: House price crash goes global. (2 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• The myth of the tragedy of the commons. (25 August, Monthly Review).
  
  
• Traffic stoppers: an increasing number of cities are temporarily closing streets to cars. (18 August, Christian Science Monitor).
  
  
• Groundbreaking energy ball wind turbine for home power. (3 September, Inhabitat).
  
  
• Why bioplastic is worse than regular plastic. (2 September, ecogeek).
  
  
• Carbon neutral green cement may set fate of CO2 in concrete. (2 September, SFGate).
  
  
• UK: Pregnant women urged to stop using perfumes, scented creams - research suggests they could cause unborn boys to suffer infertility or cancer in later life. (1 September, Daily Mail).
  
  
• Driving primates to the edge: the sooner we listen to the message our closest living relatives are telling us, the longer we have to save ourselves. (5 august, BBC).
  
  
• France: rare mammouth skull discovered. (2 September, BBC).
  
  
• Scientists find ancient lost settlements in Amazon. (28 August, Reuters).
  
  
• Book Review: Beyond voting: Guerilla gardeners, outlaw bicyclists & pirate programmers. (26 August, Toward Freedom).

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Disclaimer: whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of details, NZAEE - Christchurch Branch accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Opinions printed herein are not those of NZAEE - Christchurch Branch.

 

• EARNZ: four virtual field trips for schools(to highlight Conservation Week).
  Also: Water Power a Term 3 virtual field trip to Fiordland, 10 - 12 September.
  Background info here: http://www.learnz.org.nz/).
  
  

• Christchurch writer's festival: panel discussion: Can words save the world?

  Panellists: Neville Peat, Alison Ballance, Brian Turner. Chair: Craig Potton.
  When: 3.00 - 4.00 pm Sat, 6 September.
  Where: Conference Room, Town Hall.
  Cost: $15/13.00.
  Info here and registration here or ph 365 223.
  
  

• Tutakitia te iwi kainga/Conservation Week.

  When: 7 - 14 September.
  Canterbury region events.
  National events.
  Sponsor: Department of Conservation.
  

• Talk: Building Design for a small planet:

  Understanding, implementing and inspiring sustainable development in America and beyond.
  Speaker: David Eisenberg, co-founder and executive director of the Development Centre for Appropriate Technology (DCAT). Also: see Director's message here.
  When: 12:00 - 2:00 pm Monday, 8 September.
  Where: City Council Chamber, Ground Floor, Civic Offices, 163-173 Tuam St.
  
  

• Lincoln University Canterbury-Westland Science and Technology Fair.

  Open to the public: Monday, 8 September.
  more info here.
  
  

• Lincoln University Debate:

  Sir Rodger Douglas vs Dr Russel Norman MP, Green Party co-leader.
  When: 6.00 – 8.00 pm Monday, 8 September.
  Where: Stewart 2 Lecture Theatre, Lincoln University
  
  

• Talk: Controlling Stoats and Rats for
  Conservation in New Zealand.

  Speaker: Dr Craig Gillies, DOC Predator Ecologist, Hamilton.
  When: 7.30 pm Tuesday, 9 September.
  Where: Community Hall, Jetty Road, Governors Bay.

• Talk: Why we believe in the Big Bang.

  Speaker: Dr Lewis Ryder, Erskine Fellow.
  When: 7.00 pm Tuesday, 9 September.
  Where: on enrolment. (University of Canterbury).
  Cost: $10.00
  Contact: mailto:communityeducation@canterbury.ac.nz?Subject=Why we believe in the Big Bang or 364 2679 ext 6346.
  

• NZ Foreign Policy - Party views: National

  Speaker: Nat MP Murray McCully.
  When: 5.30 - 7.00 pm Wednesday, 10 September.
  Where: Arts Lecture theatre C3, University of Canterbury.
  Contact: Stuart McMillan 332 2804
  (Second talk of three - next week: Green MP Keith Locke).
  Sponsor: NZ Inst of International Affairs.
  
  
  

• University of Canterbury & WEA combined election year lecture series: This week's talks:

  Tuesday, 9 September: Reporting elections in a digital age. Assoc. Prof Jim Tully. (not at WEA).
  Thursday, 11 September: Post-graduate research: Electoral Participation - migrants, youth, and non-voting.
  Holly Donald, Thomas Lee, and Jessica Buck , University of Canterbury.
  Times: WEA 1.30 - 3.00 pm, UC: 7.00 - 8.30 pm.
  Cost: $5.00.
  Registration: WEA 366 0285, & UC at
  UC Opportunity 3642470.
  
  

• Green Footprint Planting Day:

  When: 10:00 a.m Saturday, 13 September.
  Where: Chamberlains Ford.
  (Meet at Chamberlains Ford car park, Springston-Leeston Road, north side of bridge).
  Bring: tree-planting spade, boots, drink bottle.
  Sausage sizzle afterwards.
  More info: WET office: 353 9712.
  (Joint project of Youth Hostel Association (YHA), Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET) and Selwyn District Council).  
  
  

• Organic gardening workshop: Planning the Spring garden, propagation & fence weaving.

  Tutors: Holger Kahl and Mareile Stoppel.
  When: 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Saturday, 13 September.
  Where: Port Levy Rd, Purau.
  Info and registration: Holger 03 329 3299 or Mareile 03 3294 798.
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 10 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview: Paul Piesse & Warren Brewer, Cuba Solidarity Christchurch: The shocking story of the Cuban Five.(10th anniversary of their imprisonment).
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  
  

Coming up:

• AGM: CAFCA (Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa).

  Followed by: screening of Nicky Hager interview. (Special feature from Alister Barry’s DVD: The Hollow Men).
  When: 7.30 pm Monday, 15 September.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester Street.
  
  

• Event: Carbon Crusaders: running/walking & planting at Bottle Lake Forest Park and Travis Wetlands.

  more info here.
  When: 20 September.
  
  

• Travis Wetland Trust & CCC community planting day: matai-totara forest in the wetland.

  When: 10.00 am – 12.00 pm Saturday, 20 September.
  Where: meet at Beach Rd Education Centre.
  Bring: gumboots, water, warm clothes.
  BBQ at 12 Noon to follow planting.
  Contact: John Skilton, Ranger, 027 496-8935.
  
  Also:
  

  Travis Wetland Trust: planting and weeding.

  When: 9.00 am every third Saturday.
  Where: meet at Beach Rd Education Centre.
  Bring: gumboots, water, warm clothes.
  Contact: Joe Greenaway 383 2073.
  
  

• Tree Planting:  Clean Up the World Day.

  Help plant 500 ECan selected ecosystem appropriate trees.
  Where: Poynter Nature Reserve, Waimakariri River Regional Park
  When:  10:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday, 20 September. (Sun, 21 September if rained out).
  Food and drinks provided.
  Bring: planting spade, gardening gloves.
  Contact: Sara: sara.mcbridesteele@ecan.govt.nz or 372 7015.
  
  

• World car free day.

  When: Monday, 22 September.
  more info here.
  
  

• Youth, Art & Activism: Two days of workshops:

  explore different media for sharing ideas and passions. (for 13 - 20 year olds interested in sustainability/active environmentally).
  29 - 30 September.
  Where: Te Wānaka o Õtautahi, CPIT Campus.
  Cost: $20.00.
  A sustainable future, waste free, fair trade event.
  Info and registration: http://artandactivism.wikispaces.com/
  
  

• Tertiary education institutions: Leading for sustainability conference.

  When: 1 - 3 October.
  Where: University of Canterbury.
  Sponsors: University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, Christchurch Polytech Inst of Technology.
  more info here.
  
  
• Christchurch Antarctic Festival
  When: 26 September - 3 October.

Reminders:

• Free Home Composting Workshops: (Bokashi, Hot Compost, and Worm Farms).

  Where: 1: Opawa Community Gardens, 176 Opawa Rd (at Aynsley Terrace).
  When: 1.00 pm, 6 September. (1st & 3rd Saturday each month & 1st & 3rd Tuesday).
  2: Okeover Community Gardens, University of Canterbury.
  When: 12.00 - 1:30 pm, 10, 13 September. (2nd & 4th Saturday each month, 2nd & 4th Wednesday).
  How: Just turn up.
  More info: Annmarie Banchy 021 190 4559, or 942 7190 (evening), abanchy@paradise.net.nz.
  Sponsored by CCC.
  
  
  

• Bike trailer - one month's free trial:

  See how much fun and easy it is to carry loads without a car.
  Contact: Steven Muir
  Email: thepope@cyclingchurch.org.nz
  Ph. 03 365 8238.