Our climate change policies are inadequate and will limit our ability to make any meaningful difference for mitigating climate change. The national climate narrative is fixated on primary production and specifically farming. In assessing the climate impact of farming, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane emissions are the main focus. This sets the scene for … Continue reading Open letter: Aotearoa New Zealand needs climate policy that addresses our unique challenges
Superphosphate, manufactured by treating phosphate rock with sulphuric acid, has been a mainstay of New Zealand farming. Phosphate is also available as partially acidulated phosphate and as untreated phosphate rock. This brief exploration of the phosphate fertiliser raises questions about its continued use and contrasts Māori and Pākehā perspectives. The story of the terra preta … Continue reading A PHOSPHATE STORY
Transpower, along with Top Energy and Northpower are proposing Northland as the pilot region for renewable energy zones (REZ) in Aotearoa. To enable a REZ, the transmission lines need to be upgraded. This map shows the distribution networks for our lines companies. Note the high capacity 220 kv line between Bream Bay and Auckland. It … Continue reading Renewable Energy Zones
Here is an impassioned speech by Kenyan Elizabeth Wathuti at the opening ceremony for COP 26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMvzJu79WG0
A paper about methane that I have been working on with a team of scientists and practitioners is now published. A nuanced understanding of methane is important for Aotearoa, as the dominant view positions methane emissions as a major problem. But our predominantly pasture-based agricultural systems operate in ways that emit methane, also support the … Continue reading Methane: Sources, Sinks and Uncertainties
Climate Action Tai Tokerau 