Archive for November, 2007

  • frog

    What the IPCC couldn’t tell us this year



    By all accounts, the IPCC’s report this year was its starkest warning yet about the risks we face from climate change. What they couldn’t tell us, despite almost everyone in the room being aware of it, was that more up to date research was available showing that the climate is changing faster than all their [...] read more
    November 30, 2007 12:13 pm - 46 Comments
  • frog

    More on stability and effectiveness



    National – Brash pre-empted the inevitable leadership coup that had to come from ‘The Hollow Men’ only to be replaced by another of the lead characters from the book.  Oh, and there was suspended Brian Connell, Murray McCully and Maurice Williamson’s contribution to stable teamwork.  Stability mark 3/10 Act – With just the two MP’s it’s [...] read more
    November 29, 2007 2:54 pm - 33 Comments
  • frog

    Miss Sustainability



    Here’s a few extracts from the Prime Minister’s speech to the German Council for Sustainable Development yesterday: …New Zealand enjoys a priceless reputation as a nation with a pristine environment, which is clean and green, nuclear free, and, as our tourism promotions proclaim, one hundred per cent pure. …These considerations, along with great concern about the impact of [...] read more
    November 29, 2007 9:56 am - 12 Comments
  • frog

    Guyana proposes a deal



    Here’s an unusual truth or dare challenge: The government of Guyana has said it is willing to place its entire standing forest under the control of a British-led, international body in return for a bilateral deal with the UK that would secure development aid and the technical assistance needed to make the change to a green [...] read more
    November 28, 2007 3:55 pm - 16 Comments
  • frog

    The war on obesity



    Yesterday the government released its response to the Health Select Committee’s inquiry into obesity and type-2 diabetes.  It adopted most, but not all of the recommendations, which led Health Minister David Cunliffe to say: “This Government has made health promotion and disease prevention a priority.” But the somewhat unimpressed Obesity Action Coalition called on the government to [...] read more
    November 28, 2007 2:15 pm - 32 Comments
  • frog

    Getting effective pragmatic results



    There is often talk from some of the other parties in Parliament about how they are effective, stable or pragmatic compared to the Greens.   So, let’s do a quick analysis of what legislative change each party has achieved in the last term.  Getting a bill through parliament is hard work when you are not [...] read more
    November 28, 2007 11:14 am - 22 Comments
  • frog

    Selling coal to Newcastle



    Leigh Catley from Horticulture New Zealand points out this month’s Grower Magazine that New Zealand now imports $2 billion dollars worth of food.  I calculate that to be roughly 500 cans of tinned food each.   Actually a lot of that imported food is ‘fresh food’, not tinned.  Doesn’t that seem excessive in a country that, [...] read more
    November 27, 2007 2:41 pm - 62 Comments
  • frog

    The PERFect Christmas gift



    So what do you get that recently retired police officer friend or family member of yours who has everything this Christmas but is missing the old life?  What does Santa bring you when you have been good but the world is getting bad?  It seems, as always, Taser.com has the perfect gift.  Perfect that is, except [...] read more
    November 27, 2007 1:25 pm - 84 Comments
  • frog

    Interesting Climate Change Facts:



    A 1:20 year event becomes a 1:4 year event A 25% increase in 30 minute precipitation reduces the likely flooding period from 100 to 17 years A 25% increase in peak wind gusts = 650% likelihood increase in damage A 1 degree Celsius mean temperature increase increases the likelihood of wildfires by 25% Is it any wonder that the [...] read more
    November 23, 2007 3:05 pm - 62 Comments
  • frog

    Is it Karma?



    Is it karma that at the same time that oil is about to hit US$100 per barrel, Jeanette’s Climate Change (Transport Funding) Bill gets pulled from the member’s ballot? The coincidence leaves this frog scratching his head. The bill sets out to change the way the National Transport Fund is managed, over about five years, so [...] read more
    November 22, 2007 2:37 pm - 45 Comments
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