The Green Desk

This week on The Green Desk things get shitty — New Zealand has a poo problem: An estimated 100 million tonnes of cow and sheep manure fall onto New Zealand pastures each year, causing an environmental and economic stink. 

Reporter Jack Marshall went to see a man about a dung beetle. Dung Beetle Innovations’s Dr. Shaun Forgie is a specialist in dung beetle reproduction, ecology and evolution. And if he has his way, every farm in New Zealand will have these bugs following around their animals.

Welcome to The Green Desk, the podcast that explores innovative approaches to tackle the pressing issue of climate change. In today's episode, we explore a new technique that offers a fresh perspective on combating the climate crisis. Professor Racheal James, an expert in Geochemistry from the University of Southampton in England talks about enhanced rock weathering as a form of carbon capture.

This week on The Green Desk we speak look at Rua Bioscience, an East Coast company led by CEO Paul Naske, as they embark on a mission to supply Germany with medical cannabis. When more rules are coming in to potentially phase out some pine trees on the East Coast, could a different kind of "tree" hold the answer to sustainable employment? Listen in with Paul Naske, and gain insights into their mission and genetic-centric approach. 

On the Green Desk Jack Marshall speaks to Amanda Thomas, lecturer in environmental studies at the University of Wellington about stopping oil and gas exploration in Aotearoa.