Welcome

Hi & welcome to the webpage version of ecoNet Newsletter.

Final issues for 2008: We're taking a break after the 12 December issue - until the end of January 2009. We think there won't be so much to promote in the diary of events through this period. (Aw shucks? ...well, you'll still be able to browse our archived issues - catch up on all you've missed through being so busy the last 6 months).

For events &/or activities to advertise through the December - January period send details in very soon - ie, before 12 December.

Don't forget: to keep sending us info for promoting your environmental events and causes. Also to 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 new selection of news and articles and bits and pieces of interest from around and about, and here and there, eg:

from here

Canterbury & South Island:

Christchurch landfill's gas scheme wins national (NZ Engineering Excellence) award . (27 November, CCC).

University of Canterbury appoints new chancellor. (26 November, University of Cantrbury).

ECan report: One in five Canterbury dairy farms fails to meet environmental standards for effluent disposal. (27 November, The Press). ECan's media release here. (26 November, ECan).

ECan releases results from well testing. (21 November, ECan).

Christchurch: water-use fees on the agenda. (27 November, The Press/Stuff).

Christchurch City Council wants Lyttelton Port delisted. (22 November, NZ Herald).

Tenure Review: Strict protection proposed for Lake Pukaki land. (21 November, Stuff).

Waiau River earthworks illegal. Farmer & contractor fined. (22 November, The Press/Stuff).

Godley Head rocked during RETROspective Heritage Week - more than 2000 visitors. (24 November, DOC).

Otago: albatross laying season nears record. (26 November, Otago Daily TImes).

North Island & national:

Regional councils 'an endangered species'? (27 November, NZ Herald).

National backs down on need for air force to monitor Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean. (27 November, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Government's decision to review ETS throws fledgling carbon market into limbo. (26 November, TVNZ.co.nz).

ERMA approves GM canarypox: if used, would be first GMO released into NZ environment. (20 November, NZ Herald).

The country's largest construction business challenges the value of public-private partnerships. (26 November, NZ Herald).

Recyclers say: little arrows on plastic misleading us - many not recyclable after all.(24 November, NZ Herald).

Wellingtonians use 400 litres of water a day compared with Aucklanders' 300 and a national average of 160. Time for user pays water system? (27 November, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Wellington: strain on water supply may force years of restrictions. (22 November, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Waikato: toxins in shallow lakes spark health warnings. (26 November, NZ Herald).

Horowhenua: Fears for environment as old landfill leaks chemicals. (26 November, Manawatu Standard/Stuff).

Kaitaia landowner's claim: hunters releasing hundreds of pigs - killing kiwi and destroying the bush. (19 November, Northern Advocate).

Taranaki's rugged coastline: a prime location for wave-power. (20 November, Taranaki Daily News/Stuff).

Forest and Bird's post election briefing. (24 November, Forest and Bird).

Wellington: Tui taking over - eight fold jump in numbers since 2001. (25 November, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Coral beauties of the deep down under: NIWA's 4th International Deep Sea Coral Symposium in Wellington next week. (26 November, NIWA).

Auckland: North Shore conservationist says keep cats caged. (25 November, NZ Herald).

Abel Tasman and Heaphy track: holiday period hut bookings filling fast. (24 November, DOC).

Student research celebrated. (27 November, RSNZ).

February 2009 is Bike Wise Month. More info: here. (www.bikewise.co.nz).

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Last day!! Two job offers: The Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET) wants a Development Manager (30hrs/wk) and an Administrator (15hrs/wk). (WET is a charitable trust formed in 2003 to promote better management of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, to improve health and biodiversity of the lake and catchments, and to educate people about its values).
  For more info:  tina@developmentmatters.co.nz or 027 201 1000.
  Applications close 28 November.
  
  
• Cyclists have your say: Proposed Railway North cycleway extension: Tuckers to Northcote. Consultation closes 13 December. (20 November, CCC)
  
  
• New suburb-to-city cycling maps (19 November, CCC).
  
  
• Interested in alternative energy generation or other energy issues? Lincoln Envirotown Trust (LET) wants to set up an energy sub group. LET also needs a new web manager (small remuneration possible). Contact Sue 329 5898. Have a look at their website: www.lincolnenvirotown.org.nz.
  
  
• Wanted: for Bayer eco-minds youth forum 2009: three NZ students between the ages of 18 & 24, studying natural sciences, engineering & technology, social sciences or commerce/management to represent New Zealand at this international forum.
  
  
• Primary school teachers: a suggestion (from a reader) for next year's Seaweek (1 - 8 March, 2009): How To: Teach the Sea from the Land. Lessons that mix science, writing, and art to bring the ocean to the classroom. (www.edutopia.org).

• Wanted: submissions on the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. Until 23 January 2009. More info here.
  

• Now open: 2009-10 Sustainable Management Fund. (Ministry for the Environment). Till 22 January 2009.
  

& from there

• UK: The planet is now so vandalised only total energy renewal can save us. George Monbiot. (25 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: We must plan a survival guide for our species. The science of sustainability is a mess. Fred Pearce, (24 November, New Scientist).
  
  
• India: Everest and Himalayan glaciers could disappear by 2035, imperilling a billion people. (25 November, Treehugger).
  
  
• US Intelligence analysis: Global Trends 2025. Intended as advice for President-elect Obama. Wall St crisis just the first first phase of a global economic re-ordering. (20 November, Reuters).
  
  
• US/Germany: Financial crisis: Interview with George Soros: the economy fell off the cliff. (24 November, Spiegel Online).
  
  
• US: Zombie economics. Social comment from James Kunstler. (24 November, Clusterfuck Nation).
  
  
• China: Global downturn puts brakes on China's industry. (26 November, New York Times).
  
  
• Australia will avoid recession, says OECD. One of only a handful. (26 November, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• India: a complicated bus ride. What does Barack Obama's election have to do with buses in India? A lot. ( 26 November, Down to Earth).
  
  
• Europe: Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme will use satellites to build a full picture of the state of the planet. (26 November, BBC).
  
  
• US: As yard (ie garage) sales boom in hard times, sentiment is the first to go. (24 October, New York Times).
  
  
• US: Vermont engineer plans a good life for $5000 a year. (23 November, TimesArgus.com).
  
  
• US: the craze for urban poultry farming. (17 November, Newsweek).
  
  
• UK: We're all farmers now. (20 November, The Telegraph).
  
  
• UK: Low carbon living: council obstructs family's ethical land project. (23 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• Belgium, South Korea, USA, Finland: how best to deal with household waste is debated all over the world. (25 november, BBC).
  
  
• Southern Spain: Desert solar tower power for 11,000 homes. (24 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• Sydney: $2.3 billion rail line comes unstuck. (26 November, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• Sydney & bicycles: accidents with car doors cause 41% of accidents in CBD. (24 November, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• EV Battery technology: Li-Ion battery still going strong after 180k. (24 November, ecogeek).
  
  
• Ocean's acidity threatening coral and mussel survival. (26 November, NZ Herald/The Independent).
  
  
• How the turtle's shell evolved. 220 million year old fossil find in China. (26 November, BBC).
  
  
• UK: Foodscapes: amazing (landscape) food art from photographer Carl Warner. (Telegraph.co.uk).
  
  
  

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
  
• become a subscriber
  
• send us information for the weekly diary.
• contact us

 

 

• International buy nothing day:

  When: all day (& night) 29 November.
  More info: here. (adbusters.org).
  
  

• Meurky walk: along Crater Rim to Bridle Path.

  Walker/talker: Colin Meurk, botanist.
  When: 9.00am – early pm Saturday, 29 November.
  Where: meet at car park, top of Rapaki Track (immediately east of Mt Vernon); carpool from bottom of Dyers Pass Rd where possible.
  Bring: sturdy footwear, all-weather jacket, sunhat, sunscreen, lunch, drink, knowledge (cultural & natural history), c.$5 for shuttle bus.
  RSVP: (reesey@xtra.co.nz) for cancellation (due to steady rain only) email (7.30 - 7.45 am).  Or ring for cancellation info (7.45 - 8.30 am): Annie  337 9593 for surnames A - L, Colin   332-3142, surnames M - Z.
  
  

• Gardening talk: Beach garden.

  (about sand, salt spray & growing organics).
  Speaker: Charlotte McHaffie.
  When: 2.00 pm Saturday, 29 November.
  Where: 50 Cygnet St, North Beach.
  Cost: (non-members) $2.00.
  RSVP: 308 7353 or 021 037 5716 or organicschch@gmail.com.
  More info: Canterbury Soil & Health Assn blog.
  
  

• Garden open day: Kate Sheppard's house and garden.

  When: 10.00 - 4.00 pm Sat 29 & Sun 30, November.
  Where: 83 Clyde Rd, Fendalton.
  Cost: $5.00.
  Contact: Karena 353 0283 or 0275 498 279.
  (Kate Sheppard Memorial Trust fundraiser).
  
  

• Social bike ride: Hagley Park to upper Heathcote River.

  Exploring hidden gems along the way.
  When: 2.00 – 5.00 pm Sunday, 30 Nov.
  Meet: Armagh Street bridge entrance to Hagley Park.
  More info: spokes.org.nz
  
  

• Gig: Grassroots politics in folksong:  David Rovic and Alistair Hulett - Aotearoa tour.

  When: (time - don't know)  Sunday, 30 November.
  Where: Christchurch Folk Club, 277 Kilmore St.
  More info: indymedia.org.nz
  
  

• World Aids Day

  When: 1 December.
  Info here: www.nzaf.org.nz
  
  

• International Symposium: Sediment dynamics in changing environments.

  Global change & erosion etc.
  When: Monday 1 - Friday 5 December.
  Where: University of Canterbury.
  More info: here and here.
  
  

• Lecture: The Tokyo Trial - best left in the dustbin of legal history.

  The judgement of Japanese war-time leaders for crimes against peace and war crimes ... victors' justice?
  Speaker: Prof Neil Boister, Law Dept, University of Canterbury.
  When: 6.00 - 7.00 pm Tuesday, 2 Dec.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery Auditorium.
  Free. All welcome.
  Final talk of 2008 UC in the city lecture series.
  More info: here.
  
  

• Workshop: Cultivating Sustainability – Christchurch:

  Psychology for sustainablilty advocates. Insights, models & tools to trigger & drive environmental behaviour change.
  Presenter: Tim Cotter, Psychologist, Australia.
  When:  9.00 - 4.00 pm Wednesday, 3 December
  Where: Travis Wetland Education Centre, Beach Rd.
  Cost: For-profits $250, Non-Profit/Government $200, Individuals/Community Groups $120
  More info: www.ecobob.co.nz
  Venues in other cities: here.
  
  
  

• Talk: Save Zimbabwe Campaign.

  Speakers: Doug Pasea & Mandla Akhe Dube.
  When: 1.30 - 2.30 pm Wednesday,  3 December.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $4.00.
  All welcome.
  More info: www.cwea.org.nz.
  
  

• Seminar: Constitutionalising tribalism:

  States, tribes & membership governance in Australia, Canada, US & NZ .
  With: Kirsty Glover, Melbourne University.
  When: 12.40 - 2.00 pm Wednesday, 3 December.
  Where: Staff library, 5th floor, School of Law, University of Canterbury.
  Contact: lawstempadmin@canterbury.ac.nz or 364 2602.
  All wlecome. Light lunch prior.
  
  
  

• Meeting: Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board.

  When: 9.30 am Friday, 5 December.
  Where: Aoraki Room, 4th Floor, Canterbury Conservancy Office, DOC,195 Hereford Street.
  Meeting open to the public & a public forum 1.30 - 2.00 pm.
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 10 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview: ECO's Barry Weeber: The real problem is not man-eating sharks, it's man eating sharks (usually just the fins, in soup). Going fast. Need help.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  

Coming up:

• Ilustrated talk: Finding the Wild:

  photography, nature & art.
  Speaker: Craig Potton, photographer. When: 6.30 pm Thursday, 11 December.
  Where: Great Hall, Christchurch Arts Centre.
  Free. Drinks provided.
  (In conjunction with his Salamander Gallery photographic exhibition, Arts Centre - till 14 December).
  
  

• Wellington conference: Renewables in the built environment

  When: 11 - 12 December.
  Where: Te Papa
  Info here: SEANZ08. (Sustainable Electricity Association NZ).
  
  

• Inaugural annual Fonds Pacifique lecture: France in the Pacific:

  the JM Tjibaou Cultural Centre in a Pacific perspective.
  Speaker: Emmanuel Kasarherou, Director, Tjibaou Cultural Centre, Noumea.
  When: 6.30 pm, 15 December.
  Where: Our City Otautahi, Worcester Boulevard, Oxford Tce corner.
  (Sponsored by French Embassy & Macmillan Brown centre for Pacific studies, University of Canterbury).
  
  

• 2009 Auckland conference: Property Rights and Sustainability.

  When: 16-18 April 2009.
  NZ Centre for Environmental Law (NZCEL).
  More info: see under News and Links: from here, Newsletter no 23: here (archive)
  

Reminders:

• Exhibition: Tchakat Moriori - heritage of the peaceful people of the Chatham Islands.

  Their distinctive artefacts, landscapes & homeland culture.
  When: till 12 December(?).
  Where: Canterbury Museum.
  
  

• History on a plate: five plant foods that have changed the world

  an exhibition at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Information Centre.
  More info: here. (CCC).
  
  

• Advertisement: Support Lincoln Envirotown Trust (LET):

  Buy:
  - the Lincoln native planting guide. (from Lincoln library).
  - mail box stickers: “No Junk Mail but Local Newspapers Please”. (from Lincoln Library).
  - the Lincoln calendar:  at outlets around Lincoln or from Sue: 329 5858.
  LET website: here
  
  

• Free Home Composting Workshops:

  (Bokashi, Hot Compost, and Worm Farms).
  Where:
  Opawa Community Gardens, 176 Opawa Rd (at Aynsley Terrace).
  When: 1.00 - 3.00 pm 3, 6 December. (1st & 3rd Saturday each month & 1st & 3rd Tuesday).
  How: Just turn up.
  More info: Annmarie Banchy 021 190 4559, or 942 7190 (evening), abanchy@paradise.net.nz.
  Sponsored by CCC.
  
  

• Nelson District: create your own eden.

  times & venues for upcoming free composting workshops & other waste recycling info.
  Sponsored by Nelson City Council.