Archive for May, 2009

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  Biological Particles in High-Altitude Clouds - by frog

  
  
  
  It is utter geek-speak, but scientists have finally been able to directly observe biological particles in high-altitude clouds. Why should we care about this? Because: “If we understand the sources of the particles that nucleate clouds, and their relative abundance, we can determine their impact on climate,” said Pratt, lead author of the paper. The [...] read more
  May 18, 2009 10:21 am - 3 Comments
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  Mass medication: the debate rages on and on - by frog

  
  
  
  I see in today’s Sunday Star Times that the Government is rethinking its plans to force bread makers to put folic acid into all of our bread supplies. This comes after a Chilean report that shows increased incidence of cancer since they started requiring that wheat flour be fortified with folic acid some years ago. [...] read more
  May 17, 2009 11:34 am - 37 Comments
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  Russel checking out the new digs - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
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  May 16, 2009 6:57 pm - 12 Comments
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  General Debate, 16 May, 2009 - by frog

  
  
  
  For the long-winded on this windy day. read more
  May 16, 2009 7:59 am - 137 Comments
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  Slo Mo Must See TV - by frog

  
  
  
  If you are feeling the economic pinch and need some stay-at-home weekend entertainment – here it is.  You don’t even need to blow $10 on DVDs. Turn on Parliament TV. You’ll see a titanic battle of the wills playing out in slow motion. Previously on Parliament TV…the Government declared urgency in order to push through [...] read more
  May 15, 2009 6:15 pm - 65 Comments
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  Greens don suits, and gumboots - by frog

  
  
  
  Today the Green Co-leaders launched our Green New Deal stimulus package to “to save the economy and the environment at the same time”. Launching it, Jeanette said: We’re engaging on economic issues on a new scale. The Greens’ package is costed with the best available published figures, and clearly specifies the benefits of each initiative [...] read more
  May 15, 2009 3:05 pm - 12 Comments
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  Absurd rapping sends serious message on wrapping - by frog

  
  
  
  Yesterday the Get Real campaign crew descended on Parliament to perform their hilarious rap/dance/theatre piece on absurd packaging. Metiria Turei went down to meet them and support their call for packaging to go on the Government’s priority list for product stewardship. Product Stewardship means that manufacturers have to take responsibility for the life-cycle of the [...] read more
  May 15, 2009 10:29 am - 1 Comment
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  I’ll ask again: Should Sam resign? - by frog

  
  
  
  Way back in November of last year, asked; should Sam resign? Those were heady days for the national Party, and in all seriousness I asked if new MP Sam Lotu-liga could handle the workload of being both a City Councillor and an MP. An article in The Aucklander this week finally provides the answer. read more
  May 15, 2009 7:38 am - 43 Comments
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  One more down, a few thou to go - by frog

  
  
  
  ERMA today followed the EU, US and Canada and revoked approvals for the herbicide methylarsinic acid (MSMA) in New Zealand. read more
  May 14, 2009 8:16 pm - 10 Comments
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  Hasta la pasta! - by frog

  
  
  
  Biogas from municipal waste is the Stockholm transport authority’s preferred fuel for the future of buses in their city. They’re aiming for a carbon neutral public transport system by 2025. It featured in a recent advertising campaign on the buses, billed “Thanks for the Food”, which said: Thank you for eating cannelloni and gravadlax last [...] read more
  May 14, 2009 3:00 pm - 7 Comments
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  Freebie Video?? – yeah still not ok - by frog

  
  
  
  A great Campbell live story on Tuesday night revealed that Melissa Lee has made a National Campaign advert using her tax-payer funded Asia Vision equipment and staff. She has argued that this is ok because it was done as a freebie outside of work hours.  Unfortunately for the National Party that’s still not ok, the electoral law [...] read more
  May 14, 2009 11:08 am - 12 Comments
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  Green light for London Array - by frog

  
  
  
  The world’s biggest offshore wind project, the London Array, just took one step closer to reality as the required 2.2 billion euros in finance has been secured, despite the global financial meltdown. This has important implications for New Zealand. read more
  May 14, 2009 9:48 am - 16 Comments
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  Fallout from Rankin appointment continues – Families Commission for the chop? - by Sue Bradford

  
  
  
  The fallout from Christine Rankin’s appointment as a Families Commissioner continues tonight with news that Reference Group member Druis Barrett is resigning. In comment to TV1 Ms Barrett said “I was kind of gutted that she was appointed….I wouldn’t go as far to say she is racist, but she is damn well close to it.” [...] read more
  May 13, 2009 8:41 pm - 68 Comments
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  Packaging Council packs a sulk over awarding of contract - by frog

  
  
  
  The Packaging Council is being accused of interference in the awarding of a government contract to Envision NZ, an environmental consultancy that has been critical of Council ideas in the past. Envision is a highly regarded consultancy specialising in waste minimisation, and has previously released reports supportive of regulatory tools such as mandatory product stewardship [...] read more
  May 13, 2009 7:00 pm - 4 Comments
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  Greens riskily agree with the Feds - by frog

  
  
  
  Federated Farmers’ press release just now – Move over shark wranglers, farming’s far riskier – is something the Greens can agree with. Farm related fatalities  have grown over the past five years to 20 and that is too many. The Feds also acknowledge the economic loss of farm accidents, citing “ACC statistics show that a [...] read more
  May 13, 2009 2:00 pm - 1 Comment
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  Motorway Madness - by frog

  
  
  
  Here’s an information highway shortcut to the latest on the Auckland highway shortcut. National’s plans to go over ground were on the TVNZ and the TV3 news last night and got Granny Herald’s knickers knotted this morning. Our man for Mt Albert, Russel Get-More-Muscle Norman, says buses and trains will cut congestion and we should [...] read more
  May 13, 2009 10:14 am - 58 Comments
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  Solid Energy: 100% Pure Greenwash - by frog

  
  
  
  You’d be forgiven for thinking Solid was in the business of environmental enhancement, with a bit of mining on the side! Alas, it’s an illusion. read more
  May 13, 2009 7:00 am - 10 Comments
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  Knights in Shining Armour will champion our rights - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  The Ministry of Women’s Affairs seems to be under orders to engage more effectively with men. This was revealed after the Greens submitted a written question to the Minister, Pansy Wong, asking who was invited to the pre Job Summit meeting organised by the Ministry. The answer was basically “we won’t tell you” but a [...] read more
  May 12, 2009 3:02 pm - 24 Comments
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  Costing the Waterview Options - by frog

  
  
  
  I’ve spent the last few days hopping around the electorate of Mt Albert, following Russel on the campaign trail. I was interested to visit Oakley Creek this weekend. This little park provides a beautiful, peaceful area of native trees that is a welcome contrast from the rest of Auckland. Of course, if National decides to [...] read more
  May 12, 2009 10:53 am - 33 Comments
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  Getting Personal: The Passing of the Cullen Clark Era - by frog

  
  
  
  Helen Clark and Michael Cullen have given their valedictory speeches and—after nine long years of running the show—have left the Parliamentary stage of power. Cullen’s parting words on sustainability all seemed to this frog a lesson learned too late to be of any consequence. I asked our Green MPs for their thoughts on the passing [...] read more
  May 12, 2009 8:03 am - 1 Comment