This week Jemima spoke to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about his upcoming trip to Poland for the 24th Conference of the Parties for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. They then discussed the most recent Colmar Brunton poll, which has seen the National Party overtake the Labour Party with 46% to 43% and the Green Party drop from 7% to 5%. Finally, Jemima asked what the Green Party's thoughts are on the militarisation of the Pacific for our Worry Week.
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.
This week on Green Desk Mitchell talks to University of Canterbury Associate Professor of Engineering Dr Aaron Marshall, who along with his masters student Jonathan Ring, has developed an award winning, almost zero-waste solution for treating acid waste and discarded zinc from the galvanising process.
Mitchell begins by asking Dr Marshall a bit about the current galvanising process, how the waste is produced and where it currently goes.
This week on Green Desk Mitchell speaks to Auckland Council’s water manager Andrew Chin about the Auckland’s Lake Pupuke. There are concerns regarding a potential toxic algal bloom in Lake Pupuke which could have serious implications for the health of the lake, its users and its biodiversity.
The Auckland Council have recently applied for a resource consent to place flocculants in Lake Pupuke in case a toxic algal bloom does occur. Mitchell begins by asking Mr Chin about toxic algal blooms, what they are and how they form.
This week for Green Desk, Mitchell chats with Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Rosie Gee.The conversation comes after the Auckland branch of the socio-political movement held a funeral procession prior to their meeting with the Environmental Committee. The meeting called on Auckland Council to declare a climate emergency and implement an immediate climate safety plan. Mitchell begins by asking Rosie about the beginnings of the newly formed socio-political movement which emerged in late 2018.
This week for Green Desk, Mitchell talks to Environmental Scientist Sophia Olo Whaanga about coastal urupa which are being destroyed and submerged in the face of climate change. This fast growing issue is being felt by Iwi throughout the Country, as traditional papakainga and urupa were generally located at the lower levels by the sea. Sophia has been exploring various options on how to deal with the issue, working with her Iwi; te wai o hua to find solution for their urupa which is located on the floodplain on the banks of Oruarangi awa. Mitchell begins by asking Sophia about the importance of coastal areas to Maori.
Today at the Green Desk, we discussed the Turning the Tide - From Cars to Active Transport Report. Tune in to find out what it is, what we should take away from it and how we got to the point the report describes. A big thank you to Associate Professor Caroline Miller for talking to us and sharing your expertise.
This week on Green Desk, Mitchell speaks to trapping company GoodNature and their technical expert Sam Gibson. They discuss their biggest rollout to date and collaboration with Ngā Whenua Rāhui. Mitchell started by asking about the project and partnership.
This week for Green Desk, Mangrove Mitch talks to AgainAgain Founder Nada Piatek about
the new initiative bringing reusable steel cups as a waste minimisation tool for our coffee
addiction. Mitch and Nada discuss the dangers of compostable cups, business positivity,
as well as some of the places that these cups can be found as of today. He begins by
asking Nada about the predominantly linear system Aotearoa possesses and what that
currently means for our Country and landfills.
This week Jemima speaks to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about what the party has in store for the next few months. They discuss the reopening of the Napier-Wairoa railway, the Emissions Trading Scheme changes and the cannabis referendum.