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

Report published: Canterbury Water Strategy Programme: a summary of current and future uses of Canterbury’s water. (13 October, Scoop).

Christchurch hosting 17th International Safe Communities conference next week. (13 October, CCC).

What's Done is Done: Twenty-five years of the Roadshow. (14 October, CCC).

Nearing completion: huge project to combat Waihi River old man's beard. (16 Ocotber, ECan).

Update on Canterbury Regional Policy statement: variations 1 - 4 for proposed change no.1 (17 October, ECan).

Farming sector gets thumbs down at SOC's election forum. (15 October, Stuff/The Press).

More Otago dairy farmers threatened with shut down. (16 October, Otago Daily Times).

Survey: Kiwis flagging? - finding it hard to be green. (15 October, NZ Herald).

Sustainable Business Network's top prize winner 2008: Paraoa Bakehouse been focused on sustainable practices for 12 years. (15 October, NZ Herald).

Latest figures: New Zealand recycling 60 per cent of packaging. (14 October, NZ Herald).

eDay 2008: 946 tonnes of e-waste collected. (14 October, Sustainability.govt.nz).

Greens: Homeowners need not shower under a dribble. (14 October, NZ Herald).

Melamine & SanLu: NZ's image in China under threat. (15 October, Dominion Post).

Greens stunned: Nats would axe $1 billion household insulation scheme. (14 October, Stuff).

Landcare Research annual report: high demand for its services for sustainable development. (14 October, Landcare Research).

Auckland: increase in rail patronage - ARTA adds carriages and services. (15 October, Scoop).

Far North District Councils: Addressing the risks of GMOs. Want local regulation of GMO land use. (10 October, Scoop).

Kiwis warm to better buildings. (11 October, Stuff).

Rats trapped in Karori Sanctuary. (14 October, Stuff).

New Zealand's endangered sea lions: Forest & Bird urges Ministry of Fisheries to do more. (13 October, Forest & Bird).

LEARNZ: online education upcoming programmes: 1. Kiwi: Be part of the programme that is restoring our national icon. 4 - 7 November.
2. Science On Ice: Travel to Antarctica, dive under the sea ice and check out what ecosystems survive down there and what impacts climate change has on them. 10 - 20 November.
3. Takahe: Chopper into the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland to help monitor this season's wild takahe chicks. 18 - 21 Nov. More info: LEARNZ.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Background info here. (http://www.converge.org.nz/).
  
  
• Now open: 2009-10 Sustainable Management Fund. (Ministry for the Environment).
  
  
• Info here for Sir Peter Blake Environmental Leader Award for secondary school students Years 9-10. (Enviroschools).
  
  
• ECan 2008 Resource Management Awards – Finalists. (6 October, Scoop).
  
  
• New doco on NZ and its economic future: Paul Callaghan's Beyond the Farm and the Theme Park. Premiers on TVNZ's Channel 7, 9.10 pm, 4 November.
  
  
• Canterbury biodiversity site launched: http://www.canterburybiodiversity.org.nz/ (ECan).

• Vote with your wheels: Vote cycling. CAN's pro-cycling election campaign 2008. (Cycling Advocacy Network).
  
  
• The Global Education Fund (GEF): 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.

• Council’s Community Waste Minimisation Fund: Up to $10,000. Individuals, groups or community organisations can apply. Applications close 30 October. More info here.
  
  
• Government intends to prepare a national policy statement for renewable electricity generation. Submissions close 31 October.(Ministry for the Environment).

• Last days! 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.
  

• Nominations (till end of October) for this year's Roger Award:
  Organised by CAFCA. info here.   
  Also: CAFCA opposes NZ Free Trade Agreement with US, wants your help: The NZ not for sale campaign.
  

& from there

• Switzerland: ecological crossroads: time to re-think the concept of economic growth. Mathias Wackernagel, (16 October, Swissinfo.ch).
  
  
• UK: 98 months and counting: Governments moved quickly to rescue our banks. Why does it take so long to act to save the planet from runaway warming? (1 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: Dear Mr President-elect,... the food issue: the health of a nation’s food system is a critical issue of national security. Michael Pollan (9 October, New York TImes).
  
  
• US: Richard Heinberg: The end of growth. . (9 October, Post Carbon Institute). Also: Food crisis on the way: perfect storm brewing in the global food system. (15 October, Post Darbon Institute).
  
  
• Charles Eisenstein's blog: Money and the crisis of civilisation.
  (3 October, Reality Sandwich). Intro and local comment here. (Christoph Hensch). (A suggestion/recommendation from readers).
  
  
• UN: Top economists and UN leaders working on a "Green New Deal" to create millions of jobs, revive the world economy, slash poverty and avert environmental disaster. (12 October, The Independent).
  
  
• One more (sigh) inconvenient truth: eg, 9000 gallons of water for a gallon of biodiesel. (5 October, International Herald Tribune).
  
  
• Children: Pint sized eco-police: (tsk, tsk mother).
  (9 October, New York Times).
  
  
• US: Uniting around food to save an ailing town.
  (7 October, New York Times).
  
  
• What's in a name? "a kind of green washing even more cynical than a company putting a picture of a pristine mountain stream on its package of processed crap." (October, Celsias).
  
  
• US: Thinking ahead: one of the hardest things about facing tough times is figuring out what to do. (14 October, Casaubon's Book, Sharonastyk.com).
  
  
• An open letter on Biochar from Professor Tim Flannery. (August, International Biochar Initiative).
  
  
• Australia: In one of the first big agricultural moves driven by climate change the rice industry is looking to move north. (11 October, Sydney Morning Herald).
  

• Australia: Forest firm told: pay $2 million for damaging islands.
  (16 October, Sydney Morning Herald).

• The element that could change the world: Making green energy work may depend on three unlikely heroes: an Australian engineer, a battery, and vanadium. (29 September, Discover Magazine).
  
  
• UK: Heavy metal eating 'super worms' uncovered.
  (7 October, Naitonal Geographic).
  
  
• UK: What's the most eco-friendly loo? (7 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• Have panels, will travel - new toy - a backpack with solar panels (15 October, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• The last great Antarctic expedition - to find the explanation for a great mountain range buried under the white continent.
  (14 October, BBC).
  
  
• After leaving Africa how quickly did our ancestors reach China?
  (7 October, ScienceNow Daily News).
  
  
• Virgin shark got herself pregnant in Virginia aquarium.
  (10 October, Reuters).
  
  
• Just like humans: baby birds start out by babbling.
  (13 October, Natural News).

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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.

 

• LEARNZ: new online education programmes:

  see under News & Links: from here or click here - LEARNZ.
  
  

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

  When: 17 - 27 October.
  More info & what's on where: 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.
  
  

• Talk: Resources and recycling.
  & film: The Story of Stuff.

  Speakers:  Jeanette Fitzsimons, Greens co-leader, and Joseph Burston, Port Hills Green candidate.
  When: 7.30 - 9.00 pm Sunday, 19 October .
  Where: Lyttelton Recreation Centre, Winchester St, Lyttelton.
  More info:  Prue 384 4685.
  Bring a friend.
  
  

• Election events: Candidates fora/forums:

  1: Combined Ilam/Christchurch Central electorates
  When: 7.00 pm Tuesday, 21 October.
  Where: St Marys Church Hall, Merivale.
  

  2: Combined Port Hills/Wigram electorates
  When: 7.30 pm Tuesday,  21 October.
  Where: St Peters Hall, Fisher Ave, Beckenham.
  
  3: Public meeting: Consumerism; & film: The story of stuff.
  Speaker: Kevin Hague, West Coast Green candidate.
  When: 1.30 pm Wednesday, 22 October.
  Where: St Faith’s church hall, Hawke St, New Brighton.
  Contact: Torfrida 3820 580 or torfrida@snap.net.nz

• AGM: Travis Wetland Trust.
  Also: Talks on the prospective re-introduction of Canterbury Mudfish & other aquatic natives to the Travis Wetland.

  Speakers: Anita Spencer, Biodiversity Ranger, DOC, on the posssibility of Canterbury Mudfish into Travis: & Dr Bob McDowall, NIWA, on translocating giant Kokupu to Travis.
  When: 7.00 pm Tuesday, 21 October.
  Where: Beach Road Education Centre.
  Background info: http://www.traviswetland.org.nz/
  
  

• Canterbury Transition Communities Forum.

  When: 12.00 - 2.00 pm Wednesday, 21 October.
  Where: St Albans Community Centre, 1047 Colombo Street.
  
  

• Talk: Current Affairs:

  Do the news media determine the winner of election campaigns?
  Speaker: Mike Yardley.
  When: 1.30 - 2.30 pm, Wednesday, 22 October. (First in a weekly series of 8).
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  more info: cwea (item 5) or 366 2085.
  
  

• Films: Christchurch Architecture from the 1940s to 1970s:

  Historic Places Trust & excerpts from NZ Film Archive collection: includes Four houses from Four decades: Christchurch post-war domestic architecture.
  Curators: Zoe Roland and Dr Jessica Halliday.
  When: 6.00 - 7.00 pm Wednesday, 22 Ocotber.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery.  
  (Heritage Week event).
  
  

• Meeting: West Coast comes to Christchurch

  - to talk about mining, hydro, dams etc.
  Speakers: Debs Martin, Forest & Bird, Graeme Jury, Save Happy Valley, Kevin Hague, WC Greens candidate.
  When: 7.30 pm Wednesday, 22 October.
  Where: Our City - Otautahi, cnr Oxford/Worcester.
  Contact: GreenOffices: 372 1375 or chchgreens@greens.org.nz.
  
  

• Talk: Teaching in Aboriginal communities.

  Speaker: Allan Schroeder.
  When: 11.00 – 12.00 pm Thursday, 23 October.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  More info: cwea.(item 28) or 366 2085.
  
  

• Landscape architecture display:  Final year Lincoln students.

  When: Thursday 23 – Mon 27 October.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery foyer.
  
  

• Election: Talk, docos & discussion: clean green or melamine - food in the 21st century.

  DVDs: The True Cost of Food, The Meatrix, Green Achievements.
  Speaker: Steffan Browning.
  When:  7.30 pm Friday, 24 October.
  Where: St Mary's Parish Hall, 329 Halswell Road, Halswell.
  All welcome.
  Organised by Selwyn Greens.
  
  

• Spring season plant sale:

  Shrubs, natives, perennials, succulents - with advice on how to grow them.
  When: 9.00 – 1.00 pm Saturday, 25 October.
  Where: In front of the information centre, Botanic Gardens.
  Organised by Friends of the Botanic Gardens.
  
  

• Talk: Constructing the Modern City:

  aspects of post-war Christchurch architecture.
  Speakers: architectural historians Associate-Professor Ian Lochhead, Dr Jessica Halliday & Jenny May.
  When: 2.00 pm Saturday,  25  October.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery.
  Free. (Heritage Week).
  
  

• Course: Sustainable living.

  Discover, discuss & practise ways to reduce your impact. Meet others interested to live sustainably. 
  Tutors: Janet Jenkins & Lesley Pawley.
  When: 1.00 – 3.00 pm,  starting 23 October. (5 Thursdays).
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $38. (Detailed notes included).
  More info: 366 0285 or cwea (item 10).
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 10 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview: Dr Philip Bishop discusses  the world of frogs, including  NZ's native frogs. 2008 is the Year of the Frog
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths
  
  

Coming up:

• UC in the City: Benefits of wood as a renewable building material

  Speaker: Prof Andy Buchanan.
  When: 6:00 - 7:00 pm Tuesday, 28 October.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery Auditorium.
  
  

• Course: Amnesty International NZ series:

  Human Rights & community; Human Rights and law; Human Rights and the environment - esp. in the face of climate change.
  When: 7.30 - 9.00 pm Tuesday, 28 October - 11 November. (3 evening weekly sessions).
  Fee: $10.
  More info & registration here. (Community Education, University of Canterbury).
  Contact: 364 2470 or uco@canterbury.ac.nz.
  
  

• Talk: Climate change and its impact on the environment.

  Speaker: Dr Sue Worner, Lincoln University.
  When: 2.00 pm Thursday, 30 October.
  Where: Canterbury Horticultural Society, Riccarton Ave.
  Cost: $5.00. (members $3.00).
  



• Addington Community Fair.

  When: 9:30 - 12:30 pm, Saturday 1 November.
  Where: Church Square, Addington.

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 18, 21 October. (1st & 3rd Saturday each month & 1st & 3rd Tuesday).
  2: Okeover Community Gardens, University of Canterbury.
  When: 12.00 - 1:30 pm, 22, 25 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.
  
  

• Bike trailer - one month's free trial:

  See how easy it is to carry loads without a car.
  Contact: Steven Muir: 365 8238 or
  thepope@cyclingchurch.org.nz.
  
  

• Opawa car sharing group:

  interested in cutting the costs of personal transport? Contact Caroline 980 9113 or Dave 366 0628 or email mailto:tranportmatters@paradise.net.nz