Articles in ‘Environment’

New Zealand’s membership of the Paris climate agreement is emerging as a significant dividing line between the parties that currently make up the government. Christopher Luxon says remaining in Paris is an economic necessity; Winston Peters argues New Zealand must confront whether the agreement can realistically deliver what was promised. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Lillian Hanly, Political Reporter for RNZ — read the original report…

Comments made during a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience have reignited debate over the unintended consequences of international aid programmes. Galante argues that a well-intentioned malaria intervention contributed to ecological damage and food insecurity in parts of southern Africa INR Report: Based on reporting by David Lindfield for Slay News HERE · Wildlife biologist and television presenter Forrest Galante has criticised the…

Climate policy increasingly relies on sophisticated modelling to estimate future emissions and guide public policy. But every model is built on assumptions. This report explores why those assumptions matter—and why understanding them is just as important as understanding the headline figures. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Newsroom. · The Reporting · A detailed Newsroom investigation has raised questions about whether New Zealand's…

The Climate Change Commission has warned New Zealand is at risk of missing all of its major emissions targets unless policies change quickly. While the Commission argues stronger climate action will ultimately save households money, critics question whether the current approach places disproportionate costs on New Zealand for little measurable impact on global emissions Report by eLocal · The Climate Change Commission has issued one of its…

EXCERPT: “KULA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s war on smog is about to get a new twist. The government wants to create man-made cyclones to scrub away the haze that has plagued Malaysia since July. ‘We will use special technology to create an artificial cyclone to clean the air’, said Datuk Law Hieng Ding, minister for science, technology and the environment. The plan calls for the use of new Russian technology to create cyclones — the giant storms also…

Dead and dying South Island pied oystercatchers found on the Motueka Sandspit have prompted Freedom leader Sue Grey to call for urgent 1080 testing and the suspension of an imminent aerial 1080 operation in Golden Bay. With bird flu ruled out, she is urging DOC to investigate any link to the recent Kahurangi National Park 1080 drop and publicly release all test results. Dead and dying oystercatchers found on Motueka Sandspit: Sue Grey calls…

The Primary Land Users Group (P.L.U.G.) has issued an open letter to the Chair and Councillors of the Waikato Regional Council calling for the proposed Lake Waikare–Whangamarino Action Plan to be rejected. The organisation argues the proposal could impose significant costs on ratepayers, farmers and the regional economy while questioning whether sufficient economic analysis has been undertaken to justify the plan. Report by elocal · The Primary…

The NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party is calling on Parliament to reject the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill, warning it reduces safeguards that protect New Zealand’s environment, our GE-free reputation and status, and the wider community. The Party argues that the Bill prioritises “efficiency” over outcome, exposing the environment to risks from unforeseen and uncertain consequences. It increases risks to the community by…

A newly published scientific study has revealed that an active faultline running through South Auckland could potentially generate an earthquake measuring up to magnitude 6.8, raising fresh questions around Auckland’s long-term seismic risk and urban expansion planning. !Magnitude 6.8 Earthquake Possible On Auckland Faultline, New Study Warns · Mangatangi Fault near the Hunua Ranges in South Auckland. Photo: Supplied · By elocal source RNZ ·…

A lengthy analysis by journalist and author Ian Wishart challenges the growing use of "Extreme Weather Event Attribution" (EEA) studies and raises questions about how rapidly produced climate research is being interpreted and presented to the public. By elocal Report Desk · The article argues that a new category of climate reporting has emerged in recent years, where extreme weather events are rapidly linked to climate change through modelling…