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The place for NZ oriented news releases on climate change and related energy policy.
EDS Submission on Climate Change Response Bill
Need for the Act
We believe the danger of human induced climate change is now well demonstrated. The need to act is being accepted by an increasing number of nations.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change now has near universal acceptance and the acceptance of the Kyoto Protocol is climbing.
The Kyoto Protocol gives the convention some force, but because it is not likely to include the USA and because some of its provisions have been weakened by the interpretation it has been given in setting the rules around its operation, the results from it are likely to be small in apparent terms.
Never the less the Protocol has mechanisms within it which look to a wider participation and more demanding targets in the future. It sets up the systems for international trading in emissions and for verification of emissions and rights to emit. These are vital to any future system of dealing with the issue.
It is the only international agreement in prospect.
Need for the Act
We believe the danger of human induced climate change is now well demonstrated. The need to act is being accepted by an increasing number of nations.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change now has near universal acceptance and the acceptance of the Kyoto Protocol is climbing.
The Kyoto Protocol gives the convention some force, but because it is not likely to include the USA and because some of its provisions have been weakened by the interpretation it has been given in setting the rules around its operation, the results from it are likely to be small in apparent terms.
Never the less the Protocol has mechanisms within it which look to a wider participation and more demanding targets in the future. It sets up the systems for international trading in emissions and for verification of emissions and rights to emit. These are vital to any future system of dealing with the issue.
It is the only international agreement in prospect.
Scientists investigate Outback dust in ocean
A team of New Zealand scientists is investigating whether dust storms in the Australian Outback are "fertilising" phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean with iron-rich dust. The extent to which the Southern Ocean receives iron "fertiliser" could prove to be an important environmental issue, because it makes up 15 per cent of the world's oceans but is naturally deficient in the iron necessary for phytoplankton growth. Some scientists have suggested that more plankton would mean more carbon dioxide taken from the atmosphere and "sunk" in the ocean depths when the phytoplankton died and sank. This could theoretically help reduce the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a key factor in global warming.
A team of New Zealand scientists is investigating whether dust storms in the Australian Outback are "fertilising" phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean with iron-rich dust. The extent to which the Southern Ocean receives iron "fertiliser" could prove to be an important environmental issue, because it makes up 15 per cent of the world's oceans but is naturally deficient in the iron necessary for phytoplankton growth. Some scientists have suggested that more plankton would mean more carbon dioxide taken from the atmosphere and "sunk" in the ocean depths when the phytoplankton died and sank. This could theoretically help reduce the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a key factor in global warming.
Scientist studies death in the deep sea
An Auckland scientist has found that climatic changes wiped out up to a quarter of the world's deep-sea life forms more than 600,000 years ago.
He has documented a dramatic period of deep-sea extinctions between 600,000 and 900,000 years ago, when the Earth's cycle of warming and freezing suddenly became longer and more severe.
The scientist, Dr Bruce Hayward, said the deep sea had still not recovered from the latest blow.
"We have fewer species than we had a million years ago,' he said. "I know of no new species that have evolved in the last million years in the deep sea.
"We are now going into a period of climate change that humans appear to be influencing, and we need to be aware that human-caused change may influence the deep sea and therefore have a consequence for organisms that live there.
An Auckland scientist has found that climatic changes wiped out up to a quarter of the world's deep-sea life forms more than 600,000 years ago.
He has documented a dramatic period of deep-sea extinctions between 600,000 and 900,000 years ago, when the Earth's cycle of warming and freezing suddenly became longer and more severe.
The scientist, Dr Bruce Hayward, said the deep sea had still not recovered from the latest blow.
"We have fewer species than we had a million years ago,' he said. "I know of no new species that have evolved in the last million years in the deep sea.
"We are now going into a period of climate change that humans appear to be influencing, and we need to be aware that human-caused change may influence the deep sea and therefore have a consequence for organisms that live there.
GLOBAL WARMING - MELT DOWN FOR CANTERBURY?
Tuesday 8 October 2002, 7.30pm
The Aurora Centre
Burnside High School, Greers Road
The Southern Environmental Trust, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Christchurch South, is arranging a free public seminar to discuss the effects on global warming on our region.
Guest speaker, Dr R K Pachauri, Chairman for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and a recognised world authority on global warming, will be joined by Hon. Pete Hodgson, Minister for Energy, and Peter Griffiths, CEO BP.
Dr Frank Wood, Vice Chancellor Lincoln University, will summarise the addresses prior to opening discussion to the audience. Athol McCully, Convenor for the Southern Environmental Trust, will chair the public forum at the conclusion of the formal presentations.
The Southern Environmental Trust was established in 1995, by the Rotary Club of Christchurch South Inc. The purpose of the Trust is to raise awareness of environmental issues and to encourage the community to care for the environment by providing a non-partisan forum for debate and discussion.
In association with:Rotary International; BP; Environment Canterbury;The Energy Federation of New Zealand; Commodore Airport Hotel; The Christchurch Star; The Press
For further Information Contact
Athol McCully
Convenor
Southern Environmental Trust ph 0274 338 052
Tuesday 8 October 2002, 7.30pm
The Aurora Centre
Burnside High School, Greers Road
The Southern Environmental Trust, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Christchurch South, is arranging a free public seminar to discuss the effects on global warming on our region.
Guest speaker, Dr R K Pachauri, Chairman for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and a recognised world authority on global warming, will be joined by Hon. Pete Hodgson, Minister for Energy, and Peter Griffiths, CEO BP.
Dr Frank Wood, Vice Chancellor Lincoln University, will summarise the addresses prior to opening discussion to the audience. Athol McCully, Convenor for the Southern Environmental Trust, will chair the public forum at the conclusion of the formal presentations.
The Southern Environmental Trust was established in 1995, by the Rotary Club of Christchurch South Inc. The purpose of the Trust is to raise awareness of environmental issues and to encourage the community to care for the environment by providing a non-partisan forum for debate and discussion.
In association with:Rotary International; BP; Environment Canterbury;The Energy Federation of New Zealand; Commodore Airport Hotel; The Christchurch Star; The Press
For further Information Contact
Athol McCully
Convenor
Southern Environmental Trust ph 0274 338 052
JOINT DECLARATION BY BULGARIA, CYPRUS, CZECH REPUBLIC, ESTONIA,
THE EUROPEAN UNION, HUNGARY, ICELAND, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, MALTA, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, POLAND, ROMANIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, THE ALLIANCE OF SMALL ISLAND STATES, SWITZERLAND and TURKEY
“THE WAY FORWARD ON RENEWABLE ENERGY”
1. We express our strong commitment to the promotion of renewable energy and to the increase of the share of renewable energy sources in the global total primary energy supply. We fully endorse the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, considering it a good basis for further international cooperation, and intend to go beyond the agreement reached in the area of renewable energy.
2. Increasing the use of renewable energy is an essential element to achieve sustainable development at national and global level. Renewable energy can provide important new ways to reduce pollution, diversify and secure energy supply and help provide access to energy in support of poverty eradication. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and these emissions need to be reduced to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in order to achieve the ultimate objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to prevent dangerous climate change.
3. We commit ourselves to cooperate in the further development and promotion of renewable energy technologies. Recognising the sense of urgency as expressed in paragraph 19(e) of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, we will work together to substantially increase the global share of renewable energy sources, with regular review of progress, on the basis of clear and ambitious time bound targets set at the national, regional and hopefully at the global level.
4. We have adopted, or will adopt, such targets for the increase of renewable energy and we encourage others to do likewise. We are convinced that this will help to implement the necessary policies to deliver a substantial increase in the global share of renewable energy sources. Such targets are important tools to guide investment and develop the market for renewable energy technologies.
5. We commit ourselves to working with others to achieve this goal, especially through the partnership initiatives being taken which could contribute to expanding the use of renewable energy, as well as forthcoming international conferences on renewable energy.
THE EUROPEAN UNION, HUNGARY, ICELAND, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, MALTA, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, POLAND, ROMANIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, THE ALLIANCE OF SMALL ISLAND STATES, SWITZERLAND and TURKEY
“THE WAY FORWARD ON RENEWABLE ENERGY”
1. We express our strong commitment to the promotion of renewable energy and to the increase of the share of renewable energy sources in the global total primary energy supply. We fully endorse the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, considering it a good basis for further international cooperation, and intend to go beyond the agreement reached in the area of renewable energy.
2. Increasing the use of renewable energy is an essential element to achieve sustainable development at national and global level. Renewable energy can provide important new ways to reduce pollution, diversify and secure energy supply and help provide access to energy in support of poverty eradication. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and these emissions need to be reduced to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in order to achieve the ultimate objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to prevent dangerous climate change.
3. We commit ourselves to cooperate in the further development and promotion of renewable energy technologies. Recognising the sense of urgency as expressed in paragraph 19(e) of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, we will work together to substantially increase the global share of renewable energy sources, with regular review of progress, on the basis of clear and ambitious time bound targets set at the national, regional and hopefully at the global level.
4. We have adopted, or will adopt, such targets for the increase of renewable energy and we encourage others to do likewise. We are convinced that this will help to implement the necessary policies to deliver a substantial increase in the global share of renewable energy sources. Such targets are important tools to guide investment and develop the market for renewable energy technologies.
5. We commit ourselves to working with others to achieve this goal, especially through the partnership initiatives being taken which could contribute to expanding the use of renewable energy, as well as forthcoming international conferences on renewable energy.
Global warming spells ocean dwellers' doom
Thousands of exotic sea creatures living in the cold Antarctic oceans face extinction because of global warming, say British scientists
Thousands of exotic sea creatures living in the cold Antarctic oceans face extinction because of global warming, say British scientists
Planning for rising sea levels in hand
The Dunedin City Council may spend as much as $90,000 over the next four years planning for the effects of rising sea levels.
The study would identify areas likely to feel the greatest impact of rising sea levels and develop strategies to cope, council civil defence manager Neil Brown said yesterday.
The Dunedin City Council may spend as much as $90,000 over the next four years planning for the effects of rising sea levels.
The study would identify areas likely to feel the greatest impact of rising sea levels and develop strategies to cope, council civil defence manager Neil Brown said yesterday.
Uncertain Energy Future Does Nothing For The Climate
Greenpeace shares Business New Zealand's concerns about the country's future energy
uncertainty.
"Given the Government's concern about climate change and
the early depletion of the Maui gas field, New Zealand's
future energy supply needs to be addressed, said Robbie
Kelman, Greenpeace New Zealand Climate Campaigner.
"Decisions about our energy supply must be based on the need
to halt global climate change not expanding coal consumption.
"It is alarming Minister Hodgson is suggesting that the loss of
Maui gas may mean further consumption of coal in New
Zealand - burning more coal, the most carbon intensive fossil
fuel, completely contradicts protecting the world's climate.
"Statements like this also contradict the Governments 2000
'Energy Policy Framework' that states; "The Government is
committed to a sustainable and efficient energy future; a
progressive transition to renewable sources of energy;
(energy) prices reflect the full costs of supply including
environmental costs.
"If we are to avoid dangerous levels of climate change, a
phase out of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) is necessary. The
Government needs to show leadership on how New Zealand
will manage this 'transition to renewable sources of energy."
Greenpeace shares Business New Zealand's concerns about the country's future energy
uncertainty.
"Given the Government's concern about climate change and
the early depletion of the Maui gas field, New Zealand's
future energy supply needs to be addressed, said Robbie
Kelman, Greenpeace New Zealand Climate Campaigner.
"Decisions about our energy supply must be based on the need
to halt global climate change not expanding coal consumption.
"It is alarming Minister Hodgson is suggesting that the loss of
Maui gas may mean further consumption of coal in New
Zealand - burning more coal, the most carbon intensive fossil
fuel, completely contradicts protecting the world's climate.
"Statements like this also contradict the Governments 2000
'Energy Policy Framework' that states; "The Government is
committed to a sustainable and efficient energy future; a
progressive transition to renewable sources of energy;
(energy) prices reflect the full costs of supply including
environmental costs.
"If we are to avoid dangerous levels of climate change, a
phase out of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) is necessary. The
Government needs to show leadership on how New Zealand
will manage this 'transition to renewable sources of energy."
Ecological Footprint Calculator
Try it! Gives an estimate of your personal contribution to CO2 emissions.
Try it! Gives an estimate of your personal contribution to CO2 emissions.
Comment:
Kieth Turner points to the reduction in emergency capacity that has occurred in the past few years (following story). This is a failure of the New Zelaand electricity market, which gives too little weight to supply security.
Annoyingly Contact, the major culprit in this reduction, has argued that because this was inefficient capactiy they have removed, it gave them the right to build new more efficient gas fired plant to generate on a continuous basis.
A market which reflected New Zealand's realities would reward capacity as well as generation and not encourage behavior which exacerbates our exposure to droughts.
Kieth Turner points to the reduction in emergency capacity that has occurred in the past few years (following story). This is a failure of the New Zelaand electricity market, which gives too little weight to supply security.
Annoyingly Contact, the major culprit in this reduction, has argued that because this was inefficient capactiy they have removed, it gave them the right to build new more efficient gas fired plant to generate on a continuous basis.
A market which reflected New Zealand's realities would reward capacity as well as generation and not encourage behavior which exacerbates our exposure to droughts.
Business News - Economy to feel impact as Maui's flame dulls
Turner said that over the past four years, about 900MW of old plant that could be run in emergencies had been retired or shipped off to Australia.
Only one new plant, the 400MW combined-cycle gas plant Genesis plans to build at Huntly, could potentially be ready by 2005 and so far no gas supply has been committed to it.
Turner said that over the past four years, about 900MW of old plant that could be run in emergencies had been retired or shipped off to Australia.
Only one new plant, the 400MW combined-cycle gas plant Genesis plans to build at Huntly, could potentially be ready by 2005 and so far no gas supply has been committed to it.
Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority
EECA's official briefing paper to Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister of Energy
EECA's official briefing paper to Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister of Energy
Opinion:
The disappointing resolution on renewable energy at the WSD conference shows what happens when the lambs lie down with the lions. OPEC were always going to stymie any real determination on this matter.
The lack of any vision for the future of Kyoto beyond the first commitment period is a bigger failure. It is an opportunity wasted. Rio pointed the direction. This does nothing.
The New Zealand government supported a global target for renewables. It should put up to match this intent. The New Zealand target of 30PJ per annum of new renewables by 2010 is no great stretch. It should be raised.
The disappointing resolution on renewable energy at the WSD conference shows what happens when the lambs lie down with the lions. OPEC were always going to stymie any real determination on this matter.
The lack of any vision for the future of Kyoto beyond the first commitment period is a bigger failure. It is an opportunity wasted. Rio pointed the direction. This does nothing.
The New Zealand government supported a global target for renewables. It should put up to match this intent. The New Zealand target of 30PJ per annum of new renewables by 2010 is no great stretch. It should be raised.
Renewable Energy: Johannesburg Summit 2002
The negotiated document, which must still be formally adopted by the full plenary, was completed after a debate over a target for promoting renewable energy. The resulting agreement calls for countries to act "with a sense of urgency" to substantially increase the global share of renewable energy sources. It does not set for a specific target. The document also calls for countries to phase out energy subsidies that inhibit sustainable development.
The negotiated document, which must still be formally adopted by the full plenary, was completed after a debate over a target for promoting renewable energy. The resulting agreement calls for countries to act "with a sense of urgency" to substantially increase the global share of renewable energy sources. It does not set for a specific target. The document also calls for countries to phase out energy subsidies that inhibit sustainable development.
Russia intends to ratify Kyoto, despite difficulties
JOHANNESBURG: Russia intends to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, even though US abandonment of the UN's climate-change pact will mean a loss of potential revenue, Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Trade Mukhamed Tsikanov said Friday.
Tsikanov, speaking on the sidelines of the Earth Summit, denied a news agency report that there was a risk that Russia might not ratify Kyoto.
"It's not true. It was a mistake of interpretation," he said.
JOHANNESBURG: Russia intends to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, even though US abandonment of the UN's climate-change pact will mean a loss of potential revenue, Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Trade Mukhamed Tsikanov said Friday.
Tsikanov, speaking on the sidelines of the Earth Summit, denied a news agency report that there was a risk that Russia might not ratify Kyoto.
"It's not true. It was a mistake of interpretation," he said.
WSD Summit news
Diplomats said one contentious issue was resolved late Saturday, when negotiators settled on wording to address the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, which the United States has refused to sign.
The agreed text says nations that have ratified Kyoto "strongly urge" states that have not done so to ratify it in "a timely manner."
Diplomats said one contentious issue was resolved late Saturday, when negotiators settled on wording to address the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, which the United States has refused to sign.
The agreed text says nations that have ratified Kyoto "strongly urge" states that have not done so to ratify it in "a timely manner."
TKI - School Improvement Kaupapa Ara Whakawhiti Matauranga Climate Change
This website has been developed by the e-learning team of Te Kete Ipurangi to support Digital Conversations, a growing collection of video conference conversations with local and overseas personalities.
This website has been developed by the e-learning team of Te Kete Ipurangi to support Digital Conversations, a growing collection of video conference conversations with local and overseas personalities.
