We have alternatives to gas. renewable generation options flexible demand pathways multiple transition strategies across sectors. The magnitude of this issue is worthy of a much broader public debate. Reducing gas demand also has a material impact on New Zealand’s emissions profile. Based on current emissions factors, a reduction of 100 petajoules of gas consumption … Continue reading Policy, risk, and the direction of our energy system
This is the second post on our Energy Future Series. New Zealand’s energy debate is often framed as a problem of shortage. But the deeper issue is not whether we have enough energy. it is whether we design the system to use it wisely. One of our greatest advantages is already built into our landscape … Continue reading Aotearoa’s advantage: How solar power protects our hydro lakes
In writing this post, I am using Edward de Bono’s six thinking hats to ensure different perspectives on CoP 30. Here is a link to a video briefly outlining the hats and why they are used. The black hat (risks and concerns) We've got used to the post-CoP hangover. Negotiations go late into the last … Continue reading CoP 30 Reflections
I was born in 1956, a year after Victor Lebow proclaimed the gospel of consumption. Our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption.… We need things consumed, burned … Continue reading From consumers to citizens
Announcing our 2025 conference back in May we signalled the theme would be climate and the economy. The current economy is failing to deliver the necessities for a good life. Among these necessities are good water, kai, energy, and community. We have a lot of ground to cover in two days, so we will probably focus … Continue reading 2025 Conference update