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
In September 2025 the Food and Land Use Coalition published Re-WIRE Agri-Food Value Chains. The report presents a framework to map risks and opportunities across major commodity value chains (e.g. beef, soy, cocoa), showing how climate, regulatory, financial, and human rights pressures are reshaping agrifood systems, and offering pathways for more resilient, regenerative supply chains. … Continue reading Agri-Food value chains
Nations' governments are unreliable actors for climate action. As politics becomes more polarised, we can expect shorter parliamentary terms and greater swings in policy focus. Cities and regions are doing much better, with organisations such as the C40 leading the way. The C40 now includes 97 cities representing 22% of the global economy. The current … Continue reading Working the local-global nexus
Apparently we need a third supermarket chain to create more competition and reduce the price of food. While it might generate marginal savings, it is likely to have a net detrimental impact on the economy and people's health. In Australia, a 2024 Guardian article informs of a new report into supermarket power. The government-commissioned report … Continue reading A third supermarket chain? Yeah – nah
I am writing this on the day the Hīkoi mō ti Tiriti arrived at Parliament. Here are two reasons we need te Tiriti. 1. Te Tiriti is the foundation of our partnership At the beginning of the hīkoi, Eru Kapa-Kingi was talking beyond those assembled to the wider nation. Te Tiriti is actually your friend. … Continue reading Ti Tiriti and The Climate
Climate Action Tai Tokerau 