The Green Desk

This week Mitchell interviews the Deputy Chair from Friends of Okura Forest, Geoff Reid. They talk about the forest and this year’s environmental awareness festival which they are hosting to keep the forest alive and well. Mitchell begins by asking Geoff a little bit about the forest, why it’s so special and how they have kept it healthy over the past years.

For this week's Green Desk, Mitchell spoke to Hinewai Reserve Manager Hugh Wilson about the Hinewai Reserve, a regenerating area of native forest on the Banks Peninsula.

They discuss its carbon credit system which has become increasingly popular with large businesses allowing them to offset unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions.

The system has allowed the reserve to expand and encompass a significant area on the peninsula which has rejuvenated naturally without planting and minimal pest control. Mitchell begins by asking Wilson a little bit about the history of the Reserve and how its arrived at where it is today.

Ella speaks with 2018 Callaghan Medal recipient Dr Helen Taylor about her work in conservation genetics. Dr Taylor is researching how inbreeding effects male fertility in New Zealand's native bird species. They disccus her successful science communication campaigns and what genetics can bring to New Zealand's conservation efforts. 

Ella talks with David Menzes about the impact of climate change on mental health. David is Associate Professor of Psychological Medicine in the Auckland University School of Medicine. They discuss climate change denial and apathy, how to talk about climate change with people who don't agree with you, and how to move the conversation forward. If climate change makes you feel scared or overwhelmed, this conversation might be helpful.