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

 

More than 1000 wheelie bins a day: Auckland production line for Christchurch kerbsides. (1 October, CCC).

Council’s Community Waste Minimisation Fund: Up to $10,000. Individuals, groups or community organisations can apply. Applications close 30 October. More info here. (30 September, CCC).

New biofuel law starting to kick in. (30 September, NZ Herald).

WWF says: Labour & National politicians’ refusal to commit to a policy on education for sustainability "deeply irresponsible". (30 September, WWF).

Green & clean policies divide voters: surprisingly few concerned about environment. eg Southland farmer: "emissions trading scheme a crock of shit." (30 September, NZ Herald).

Invercargill: Judge to southern dairy farmers: "Clean up or be shut down." (25 September, Stuff/Southland Times).

Wellington recognised: in international survey for its sustainable green initiatives . (2 October, Dominion Post).

Extra $121 million to improve NZ rail system: a small charge compared to the money needed for new roads - Finance Minister, Michael Cullen. (1 October, National Business Review).

West Coast: new rail track for Pike coal: about the first in NZ since 1950s. (2 October, NZ Herald).

Auckland's rail electrification: petrol tax to pay for it "a lock-down certainty" - Michael Cullen. (2 October, NZ Herald).

Manawatu: Iwi want lake effluent threat gone. "That treatment plant has been leaching shit into the lake via underground waters forever." (30 September, Manawatu Standard).

Vote with your wheels: Vote cycling! CAN's pro-cycling election campaign 2008. (23 September, Cycling Advocacy Network).

Inglewood High school: into energy generation as well as conservation. (1 October, Sustainability.govt.nz).

Daylight Saving Brings NIWA skin cancer warning. (29 September, Scoop).

Efficient light bulbs becoming friendlier, safer as the technology improves. (29 September, NZ Herald).

Jim Anderton: commercial fishers prepared to put some of the world's rarest dolphins at risk, as well as compromising their credibility as a sustainable industry: Fishing bans put on hold. (29 September, NZ Herald).
(last week in ecoNet: Fishing industry's lawsuit against measures to protect endangered Hector’s dolphins shows contempt for New Zealanders’ wishes. (14 September, WWF)).

Forty-five scientists cataloguing unrecorded New Zealand. (30 September, Scoop).

Dunedin: Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust gets "boot off penguin's throat" and becomes first NZ conservation organisation to win BirdLife International Conservation Achievement Award. (29 September, Otago Daily Times).

Chathams: Orange roughy catch limit reduced. (28 September, Otago Daily Times).

eDay: (info here): Get rid of old PCs, mobile phones safely. Free of charge. At 32 NZ centres. 1000 tons expected. (see also diary of events for 4 October). (29 September, NZ Herald).

The Global Education Fund (GEF) provides targeted and contestable funding for Global Education activities - ie small projects to develop awareness and understanding of global perspectives among New Zealanders, to encourage them to become responsible global citizens, and to create a safe and just world. More info here. Applications close 31 October.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Free trade deal with the US - who wins? Also: Danger ahead - US deal threatens all remaining foreign investment rules. (Bill Rosenberg, NZ Not for Sale).
  
  
• Walking and Cycling Micro-Fund: provides $1000 grants. Apply now – close 17 October.
  
  
• Government intends to prepare a national policy statement for renewable electricity generation. Submissions close 31 October.(Ministry for the Environment).

• Reminder: Oxfam Trailwalker 2009: Lake Taupo, 4 & 5 April. It's a team challenge - a chance to do something extraordinary for yourself and for others. Walk 100kms in under 36 hours to help overcome poverty and injustice. Funds raised bring real change to real people. Oxfam Trailwalker NZ won Best Environmentally Sustainable Event in 2008's NZ Event Professionals Awards. It also won praise for its minimal impact on the environment and for encouraging sustainability. more info here.
  

• Photo competition: based on history of Christchurch during the post-war period. Entries close 22 October. (16 September, CCC).
  
  
• Information for submissions to ERMA to oppose Agresearch applications for GE animals. Before 31 October. (15 September, Giant Experiement).
  
  
• Wanted for renovation project: 1000 homeowners who want their homes warmer, drier, more sustainable. (9 September, Sustainability.govt.nz).
  

• Greenpeace: red fish list. (greenpeace.org).
  
  
  
• Canterbury organic course starts 20 October. (Organic Pathways). More here: www.bhu.co.nz..
  

• 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

• US: The era of American dominance is over. The global financial crisis will see the US falter in the same way the Soviet Union did when the Berlin Wall came down. John Gray.(28 September, The Guardian /Observer).
  
  
• US: The Ponzi plus plan: God alone knows where this is taking us. James Kunstler. (29 September, Clusterfuck Nation).
  
  
• UK accused of 'sabotaging' Europe's green energy plans. (26 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: Here comes $500 oil: the recent drop in crude prices is an illusion. Investment banker & author of Twilight in the Desert, Matt Simmons, interviewed. (22 September, Fortune Magazine/CNN.com).
  
  
• US: delay and fail. Coal is the most polluting of fossil fuels...but is carbon capture and storage (CCS) a solution? - Author of Power Down, Peak Everything, etc Richard Heinberg. (30 September, Post Carbon Institute).
  
  
• US: FLOW: new doco making a big splash: Can anyone really own the water? (27 September, Alternet). Also: Should Access to Clean Water Be a Human Right? (1 October, Celsias).
  
  
• UK: Climate change expert Mark Lynas: speaks up for atomic power...scorned by eco-colleagues . (28 September, TimesOnline).
  
  
• Africa: The need to feed (part two). Wanted: a rapid transformation of one of the most complex problems in the world’s poorest continent, to take place in the middle of a food crisis. (23 September, Chinadialogue).
  
  
• UN: to buy emergency foodstocks from poorer farmers. (25 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• Australia: Food shortage catastrophe creeeping up on the world. (26 September,The Age, Melbourne).
  
  
• Australians urged to eat kangaroo. (eg, unlike sheep and cattle, they produce practically no methane). (1 October, BBC).
  
  
• US: Car sleepers: the new US homeless. (27 September, BBC).
  
  
• US: Food stamps in America. eg nearly 16% of Texans lack access to sufficient food for a full, active life. (28 September, Star-Telegram, Texas). Also: New programme offers help for distressed homeowners. (2 October, Star-Telegram).
  
  
• UK: Fuel poverty rising. (2 October, BBC).
  
  
• UK: Transition towns and me (30 September, Times online).
  
  
• UK: Local clothes - made of stinging nettles. (29 September, Times Online).
  
  
• US: Rare plant thought extinct re-discovered in upstate New York. Due to salting the roads in winter? (28 September, Treehugger).
  
  
• Canada: Scientists create device to remove carbon directly from the air. (29 September, CleanTechnica.com).
  
  
• Portugal: Wave snakes harness ocean's power. (24 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• Japan: Honda to offer hybrid motorcycles from 2011. (28 September, The Mainichi Daily News).
  
  
• Netherlands: Aquarium scum: fuel of the future. (c30 September, AP/USA Today)
  
  
• France: The Generali: by 2012 will rule La Defense and be lauded as one of the tallest, and more importantly, greenest buildings in the European Union. (29 September, Inhabitat).
  
  
• Viewpoint: Ted Danson: The plight of the magnificent bluefin. (15 September, BBC).
  
  
• UK: Sir David Attenborough & co. on amphibians: nowhere to run - more than 50 per cent of the 81 species native to Europe face extinction by 2050. (26 September, Timesonline).
  
  
• Underwater: Dolphins play bubble rings. (nearly 3 million hits: Youtube video-clip, 1.07 min).

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• Gig: University Campus Greens present…

  Bands: Sunshine Sound System, Taos, Soulsystem, DJ Second Sight, DJ Rakinem, Quota MC. All hosted by MC Mana.
  Where: UC Stud Ass ballroom.
  When: from 7.00 pm Friday, 3 October.
  Cost: $20. ($15: students/RDU members/Green party members).
  Tickets: Cosmic Corner or University of Canterbury student union shop or on the door.
  
  

• Event: Annual Cycle Friendly Awards.

  Awards Presenter: Lianne Dalziel MP.
  When: 5.00 pm Friday, 3 October.
  Where: Stone Chamber, Canterbury Provincial Council building, Durham St.
  RSVP: awards@can.org.nz.
  more info here (CAN).
  
  

• Talk: Responding to Japanese Whaling.

  Speaker: Prof Donald Rothwell.
  When: 6.00 pm Friday, 3 October.
  Where: Lyttelton Tug, No.2 Wharf, Lyttelton Port.
  
  

• Kakariki Sustainability Conference 2008: Sustainable self, sustainable world.

  When:  Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 October.
  Where: Commerce Building, University of Canterbury.
  All welcome. More info here.
  
  

• Workshop: CAN Do. (Cycling Advocates Network).

  When: Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 October.
  Where: Christchurch.
  More info here and here.
  
  

• eDay: recycle old computers & mobile phones in an environmentally sustainable way.(more info here).

  When: 8.30 – 4.00 pm Saturday, 4 October.
  Where: See here.
  Also: Volunteers wanted to help unload etc.
  Contact: Harold Williams 027 244 6575
  harold.williams@xtra.co.nz
  
  

• Canterbury Mudfish day.

  When: 10.00 - 3.00 pm Sunday, 5 October.
  Where: Main Street, Oxford. (In front of the library).
  more info here and: http://www.mudfish.org.nz/index.html
  
  

• Small farm field day.

  When: 9.00 - 4.30 pm Sunday, 5 October.
  Where: Rangiora Race Course.
  Cost: $5. Under 15 free.
  Contact: ph. 0800 762 553.
  
  

• Workshop : Edible Weeds.

  Weeds and their culinary potential.
  With: Martin Tickner, Southern Seeds Exchange.
  When: 1:00 - 2:00 pm Tuesday, 7 October.
  Where: University of Canterbury Community Garden.
  
  

• Temuka tree planting day.

  When: 1.00 pm Tuesday, 7 October.
  Where: McNair Road, Temuka. Signposted from Richard Pearse Drive.
  Bring: spade, sensible footwear, sun hat.
  Contact: Judith Earl-Goulet, 03 684 0524, judith.earl-goulet@ecan.govt.nz.
  More info here.
  
  

• Forest and Bird: members speak on their conservation projects:

  1. Calder-Green Reserve; 2. Okains Bay, Orton Bradley & Governors Bay; 3. Conway River mouth.
  When: 7.30 pm Wednesday, 8 October.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  All welcome.
  

• Seminar: Evaluating trade–offs between biofuel production and biodiversity maintenance in forests & grasslands of the Midwestern United States.

  Presenters: David Flaspohler, Chris Webster, Amber Roth. (School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University).
  When: 3:30 - 4:30 pm Friday, 10 October.
  Where: Waikirikiri Seminar Room, Lincoln
  more info here.
  

• Organic gardening workshop:

  Feeding the soil: Soil management, composting, liquid fertilisers & biodynamic preparation 500.
  Tutors: Holger Kahl, Mareile Stoppel.
  When: 10.00 – 4.00 pm Saturday, 11 October.
  Where: Port Levy Rd, Purau.
  Bring: shared lunch, afternoon tea.
  Cost: koha – suggested $ 30 -70.00 per person.
  To register: Holger 329 3299, Mareile 3294 798   
  or  kahl.stoppel@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• War on weeds: Boneseed removal.

  Where: Barnett Park, Redcliffs.
  When: 9.30 – 12.00 pm Saturday, 11 October.
  Bring: work clothes, sturdy footwear, sunscreen, gardening gloves and if possible, saws or loppers.
  Postponement date: Sunday, 18 October.
  More info: Gemma Bradfield 364 9860.
  
  

• Launch: the New Zealand Australia Research Centre (NZARC).

  When: 9.15 am - 3.15 pm Friday, 10 October.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery.
  Cost: $10. Students free.
  Programme & registration here.
  Organised by NZ Inst of International Affairs with
  support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce, University of Canterbury's School of History.
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 10 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview: Geoff White, General Manager of Trade Aid. How Trade Aid promotes social and environment justice.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  
  

Coming up:

• Spring Market Day:

  Plants Preserves Food Craft Compost
  Saturday, 11 October.
  Where: Strickland St Community Gardens,
  188 Strickland St.
  
  

• Sustainable Living: seven evening classes:

  Energy, water, gardening, travel, shopping, waste...
  When: 7.00 - 9.00 pm. (starting Monday 13 October).
  Tutors: Paul and Jocelyn.
  Where: Hagley Community College, Hagley Avenue.
  Register: College Enrolment Office ph 364 5156 or hy@hagley.school.nz
  
  

• Election forum on sustainability: questions for politicians: Labour, National, Green Party, Act, Progressives, United Future.

  MC: Melissa Clark-Reynolds, Al Gore Climate Change Ambassador.
  When: 7.00 pm Tuesday, 14 October.
  Where: Knox Presbytarian Church,
  Corner Bealey Ave & Victoria St.
  (more info here: SOC).
  
  

• Gardening Course: Grow organics in your own backyard/garden.

  Tutor: Bettina Evans
  When: 6.00 – 8.00 pm starting Tuesday, 14 October: (3 sessions, 1 week break, 3 sessions).
  Where: First session  Lyttelton Community Garden, then Project Lyttelton’s Opawa Garden, cnr Hassels Lane and York Street, Opawa.
  Cost: $25.
  Contact: Sue-Ellen Sandilands 328 9243 or office@lyttelton.net.nz
  
  

• Lyttelton course: Discovering your community leadership skills.

  Tutor: Margaret Jeffries, chair of Project Lyttelton.
  When: 7.00 – 9.00 pm Wednesdays, 15 October to 17 December.
  Where: Community building, 54a Oxford St. Lyttelton.
  Fee: $35.
  More info: Sue-Ellen Sandilands 328 9243 or office@lyttelton.net.nz
  
  

• Tramp: Guided tour of Happy Valley:

  beautiful West Coast red tussock wetland.
  (help save it from Solid Energy's proposed coal mine). 
  When: Saturday 18 - Sunday 19 October. (Meet in Westport).
  Contact: frances.mountier@gmail.com
  
  

• Heritage Week: Theme - RETROspective: Christchurch life, architecture and design 1940s - 1970s.

  When: 17 - 27 October.
  More info: http://www.heritageweek.co.nz/.
  
  

• 1940s: The War Years at Godley Head

  When: 10.30 am - 3.30 pm Sunday, 19 October.
  Where: Awaroa/Godley Head, Godley Head Road, Sumner.
  Gold coin entry.
  
  

• AGM: Travis Wetland Trust.
  Also: talks on aquatic re-introductions.

  Speakers: Anita Spencer, Biodiversity Ranger, DOC, & Dr Bob McDowall, NIWA.
  When: 7.00 pm Tuesday, 21 October.
  Where: Beach Road Education Centre.
  Background info: http://www.traviswetland.org.nz/
  

Reminders:

• Governors Bay Landcare Group: Old Man's Beard Control Project.

  When: every Tuesday morning.
  Tools provided, but wear sturdy footwear, warm clothing. 
  More info: Dick Tripp 329 9752, or sdtripp@xtra.co.nz
  
  

• 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 4, 7 October. (1st & 3rd Saturday each month & 1st & 3rd Tuesday).
  2: Okeover Community Gardens, University of Canterbury.
  When: 12.00 - 1:30 pm, 8, 11 October. (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.