bCasts

A new research paper published this week is exploring how the treatment of wastewater with alkaline minerals could reduce carbon emissions through the mitigation of ocean acidification.

The ocean plays a critical role in the Earth’s ecosystem as a ‘carbon sink’, absorbing about 30% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. 
As climate change, driven by activities like the burning of fossil fuels and acceleration of land use, has led to an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, oceans are absorbing increasing amounts of CO2, increasing ocean acidification and negatively impacting marine life.

If scalable, the treatment of wastewater released into the ocean to offset acidification could be a valuable piece in the puzzle of global climate solutions. 

Producer Sara spoke with University of Canterbury academics and members of the team at New Zealand cleantech company ‘Aspiring Materials’, Dr Matt Watson, and Dr Simon Reid, about the potential for these findings, as well as how carbon sequestration can be maximised for the benefit of the environment.

Here is that interview.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni about the scrapping of existing pay equity laws, new statistics on unemployment rates, and the member's bill proposal from National that would ban social media for under 16s.

For International Desk, they spoke to video essayist Rohan Davis about the recent escalation of violence in Kashmir and the political context surrounding this.

Producer Sara spoke with two of the team members at Aspiring Materials, Dr Matt Watson and Dr Simon Reid about new research which found that treating wastewater with alkaline minerals could mitigate ocean acidification

She also discussed the Pay Equity Amendment Bill with University of Auckland’s Simon Schofield.

International relations experts are fearing a major conflict between India and Pakistan after sharp, escalating tensions, following a deadly terrorist attack in militarised Kashmir that killed 26 people.

Kashmiris have a long history of oppression. In modern times, this has been as India and Pakistan fight over the region while Kashmiris fight for independence. 

Human Rights Watch reports on Kashmir reveal examples of forced displacement, sexual violence, disappearances and allegations of torture and death in custody.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Rohan Davis about the recent terrorist attack and ongoing military escalation, as well as the historical and political context of the Kashmir crisis.

Davis is a video essayist on YouTube from Kerala, India, who covers Indian history and politics.