In a world-first, a New Zealand study has confirmed microplastics are present in Antarctica’s Ross Island region. Kiwi researchers analysed fresh snow from 19 sites, finding an average concentration of 29 microplastic particles per litre of melted snow. These microplastics most likely come from plastic products used at local scientific research stations, however, this team’s modelling also suggests their origin could have been up to 6,000 km away.
Joe spoke to Dr Holly Winton, a Research Fellow in Antarctic ice core climatology from the Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington, on the matter.
On the 23rd June 2022, The US Food And Drug Administration moved to ban JUUL e-cigarettes from the United States market. Their reasoning? Their business model fails to assure that their user base remains safe while using the e-cigarette. This motion follows a two year investigation into their parent company Juul Labs.
Trishil deep dives into the state of affairs in the United States, as well as speaking to Sarah Helm from the New Zealand Drug Foundation about the perception of vaping in New Zealand and how the US ban could affect us.
Public transport is crucial in the fight against climate change, making our cities more liveable and supporting sustainable mobility for vulnerable and low-income communities.
However bus drivers, passengers and the environment have been victims of a decades-long experiment in privatisation.
In July 2021 FIRST Union’s #BusFair campaign called for the Ministry of Transport to abolish the current tendering model (the “PTOM”), massively increase investment in public transport, and work together with stakeholders to bring our public transport back into public ownership.
Trishil spoke to Louisa Jones from First Union on the matter for this weeks delayed ActionStation.
Researchers are predicting waves will get higher on New Zealand’s west coast, and lower on the east as a result of climate change.
Modelling at the University of Auckland also indicated shifts in wave direction, with implications for coastal erosion as waves hit the shore at altered angles.
Joe spoke to one of the researchers, Dr João Albuquerque, a PhD graduate from School of Environment at the University of Auckland about his findings.
Joe speaks to Greenpeace’s James Hita, who confronted a deep sea mining ship off a Mexican coast last week. He also speaks to Dr Nick Munn, a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy from the University of Waikato about justifying lowering the voting age.
95bFM’s News and Editorial Director Jess Hopkins speaks to White Ribbon Day Ambassador Floyd Ormsby about teaching and role modelling ‘healthy masculinity.’
Daniel looks at a project from Waka Kotahi which will look at lowering the speed limit. He talks to Professor of Human Geography Simon Kingham. He also speaks to Anita Azeem from the University of Otago about why gender stereotypes can be problematic in children's movies.
Finally, David speaks to Otago University’s Ben Wheeler about a lifesaving diabetes treatment.
Today is White Ribbon Day, an annual campaign aiming to prevent men’s violence by teaching and role modelling ‘healthy masculinity’.
This year the day is focused on tackling the causes of violence.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to White Ribbon Day ambassador Floyd Ormsby who is encouraging people to show kindness towards our young men, and to let them know that men can be caring, supportive, ethical, respectful, friendly, generous and awesome.”
They discuss White Ribbon Day and the message Ormsby wants people to take from his own experience.
Vaping is currently the subject of a debate with certain clinicians suggesting vape sales should use a prescription-only model. Arno spoke to Associate Professor Kelly Burrowes from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute about the ongoing debate on whether or not vaping should be made prescription-only in Aotearoa.
This is a change that some countries, including Australia, have already made.
Arno started off by asking if the government was already planning to make vaping prescription-only.
On Monday, Cabinet announced it would not be removing the COVID-19 self-isolation requirement of seven days.
This is hoped to continue to contribute to New Zealand having one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the developed world.
Arno spoke to Dr Emily Harvey, a researcher from the University of Auckland who created scientific models to see what would happen if the requirement was removed or not closely followed by most people.
Arno started off by asking what the scope of the research conducted was.
Next, Arno spoke about COVID-19 self-isolation requirements with epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker.
Arno started by asking what his opinion was on the potential removal of self-isolation requirements from law.
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