This post from the Norwex Movement blog, outlines the benefits of enzymes and why we should prefer to use them.
4 Reasons Why Enzymes Beat Harsh Chemicals
Monday, June 25, 2018
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Summer in New Zealand 2015 - Why are we having such an Awesome One?
Summer in New Zealand 2015
Why are we having such an Awesome One?
•
Purpose of Ocean Currents
•
World wide Currents
•
Local Currents
•
How they Affect New Zealand
•
Our summer!!
Worldwide Ocean Currents and Their Purpose
- — Our oceans are crucial to heating our planet – help to distribute it
- Act like a conveyor belt distributing water from equators to poles and back – usually clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anticlockwise in the south, as well as often following the coastlines
- Regulate global climate – helps to regulate uneven distribution of of solar radiation reaching earth’s surface. Otherwise temperatures would be much more extreme at the Poles and the Equator
— For example the Gulf stream current which originates from Florida, gives Great
Britain, including Ireland, its warmth
Ocean Current Temperature
— Our
climate changes are not only caused by conditions in the atmosphere. The top
few metres of the ocean can store as much heat as the entire atmosphere, and
relatively small changes in ocean circulation can move vast amounts of heat
around the planet
—
Results include changes in animal habitats, more extreme weather incidences and the bleaching of coral reefs thus reducing their growth and habitats for many ocean creatures
Results include changes in animal habitats, more extreme weather incidences and the bleaching of coral reefs thus reducing their growth and habitats for many ocean creatures
Currents Which Affect Us
•
New
Zealand lies in the path of eastward-flowing currents, which are driven by
winds that blow across the South Pacific Ocean
•
These
winds – the south-east trades to the north, and the roaring forties to the
south – drive water along the equator, down Australia’s east coast in the East
Australian Current, and across the Tasman Sea
•
Bathed by
relatively warm water from the subtropics, New Zealand has a temperate climate
What is affecting our Summer Today
- —
Sea surface temperatures across
the equatorial Pacific Ocean are borderline between neutral and weak El Niño conditions
- Sea Surface Temperatures around New Zealand are forecast to be in the above normal range all around the country
- Temperatures are most likely (50% chance) to be in the above average range
- Rainfall totals are most likely (45% chance) to be in the near-normal range
Conclusion
Changes in climate are
not only caused by conditions in the atmosphere – ocean currents have a massive
impact as they regulate the global climate
— Bathed by
relatively warm water from the subtropics via the East Australian current, New
Zealand has a temperate climate
— El Niño and La Niña are weather
patterns that occur every 3–7 years in the tropical Pacific Ocean and which
affect us
— We are borderline between
neutral and weak El Niño conditions resulting in slightly higher temperatures
Carry on having
an Awesome Summer!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Interesting Book about Biomimetics published
Hey, everybody! Dee Pigneguy is inviting us all to her book launch of "Nature's Techno Tricks'
Visit Dee at 6pm for 6.30 start, Thursday November 12, Takapuna Library, the Strand, Takapuna.
Just like Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th and early 17th centuries, todays scientists and engineers are realizing that nature holds the keys to some of the best ideas. Nature wastes nothing and uses minimal energy. Come to this book launch and find out more about this growing scientific field of biomimetics - the research, study and application of science found in nature in order to solve modern problems in engineering, materials, science, medicine and other fields.
RSVP to Dee Pigneguy on 09 444 9342, www.feedmeright.co.nz, or Papawai Press 09 445 2966, www.papawai.co.nz
Visit Dee at 6pm for 6.30 start, Thursday November 12, Takapuna Library, the Strand, Takapuna.
Just like Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th and early 17th centuries, todays scientists and engineers are realizing that nature holds the keys to some of the best ideas. Nature wastes nothing and uses minimal energy. Come to this book launch and find out more about this growing scientific field of biomimetics - the research, study and application of science found in nature in order to solve modern problems in engineering, materials, science, medicine and other fields.
RSVP to Dee Pigneguy on 09 444 9342, www.feedmeright.co.nz, or Papawai Press 09 445 2966, www.papawai.co.nz
Young People - Want to go to the Sub Antarctic?
Want to go to the Sub Antarctic?
Look out for the Enderby Trust Scholarships – they may pay up to 70% of your expenses!
Formed in 1998, the Enderby Trust is named after Charles Enderby, a cooper (wooden barrel maker) who embarked on several exploratory voyages in Antarctica and the southern oceans during the 1830’s. The trust, which is named so to acknowledge Enderby’s geographical study and exploratory activities, works with Heritage Expeditions who provide travel for successful applicants on their polar research vessel Spirit or Enderby. It is envisaged that after their trip their experiences and enthusiasm will create further awareness and appreciation of the subantactic area.
It is very easy to apply for a scholarship. All applicants (aged 18 - 30) need to do is write up to 400 words about why they are fascinated about the subantarctic area in the Pacific Ocean they wish to visit.
The 2009 closing date is October 30, however people who are interested future scholarships should contact the Enderby Trust on enderby@hotmail.com or write to the Enderby Trust at P O Box 29 529, Fendalton, Christchurch, 8540
Look out for the Enderby Trust Scholarships – they may pay up to 70% of your expenses!
Formed in 1998, the Enderby Trust is named after Charles Enderby, a cooper (wooden barrel maker) who embarked on several exploratory voyages in Antarctica and the southern oceans during the 1830’s. The trust, which is named so to acknowledge Enderby’s geographical study and exploratory activities, works with Heritage Expeditions who provide travel for successful applicants on their polar research vessel Spirit or Enderby. It is envisaged that after their trip their experiences and enthusiasm will create further awareness and appreciation of the subantactic area.
It is very easy to apply for a scholarship. All applicants (aged 18 - 30) need to do is write up to 400 words about why they are fascinated about the subantarctic area in the Pacific Ocean they wish to visit.
The 2009 closing date is October 30, however people who are interested future scholarships should contact the Enderby Trust on enderby@hotmail.com or write to the Enderby Trust at P O Box 29 529, Fendalton, Christchurch, 8540
Monday, May 18, 2009
Global Warming – Climate Change – Mankind’s Self Destruction?
And what is the significance of 2012?
The Year 2012 is a significant one for us. It is the end of the commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, as it is. Adopted in 1997, and an amendment to the International Treaty of Climate Change, the purpose of the protocol was to give industrialised countries mandatory targets to reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases, being carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, hydro fluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons, by 50% of the 1990 emissions, by the middle of the 21st century. One regional economic integration organisation (EEC) and 168 countries have ratified the protocol, which became legal and binding in 2005.
In preparation for a new protocol, in May 2007, a group of business leaders and scientists gathered to form the Copenhagen Climate Council with the aim to establish a new climate treaty to come into play after 2012.
Since then there have been a series of meetings among appropriate groups and networks, all working towards a Climate Conference in Copenhagen in November this year. At the conference it is expected that a ‘Copenhagen Protocol,’ aimed to prevent global warming and climate change, will be agreed upon.
I believe that it is very important that a new protocol, following Kyoto, is necessary.
However, given this significant occasion, planned to affect our response to global warming and climate change, is it not any wonder then, that much information and propaganda has emerged?
Today, two books on this controversial subject are hot on the local marketplace.
The first, ‘Air Con – The Seriously Inconvenient Truth about Global Warming’ by the investigative journalist, Ian Wishart, has just been published.
In this easy-to-read book, Ian informs us about how much the Copenhagen Protocol will cost us – and, according to Ian, it will not be cheap. He questions the so called facts about global warming and climate change.
If you have not had time to read it yet, for a lively opinion about the Ian’s book, visit http://hot-topic.co.nz/
This website is by another author, the economist, portfolio manager, biker and public speaker, South Islander Gareth Morgan. Gareth is about to publish his own book ‘Poles Apart’ which he co-wrote with John McCrystal.
Gareth wasn’t sure if he believed in global warming or not. So he hired some of the world’s best scientists to answer his questions about the topic. ‘Poles Apart’ is the result of their answers.
Both these books appear to expound the facts about global warming and climate change, whether political, fictional or hearsay, and probably are worth the read.
However, no matter what form the Copenhagen Protocol appears in, no matter what is outlined in Ian’s, nor Gareth’s books, the truth about global warming and climate change is concealed in the earth’s glaciers.
It has always been recognised that the glaciers can tell us much about the earth’s history. In the May 1 issue of Science Magazine (on the net) there are two articles confirming this fact. The first one is:
‘The Geographic Footprint of Glacier Change’ by Greg Balco from the Berkeley Geochronology Centre in California. In it, he talks about how Alpine Glaciers offer ‘spectacular records of climate change’ and along with their deposits in the form of lakes, moraines and valleys they can reveal much information about the rises and fluctuations of the world’s temperatures before they were measured by today’s scientific instruments.
Another item in the same edition by three New Zealand Scientists is entitled
‘High-Frequency Holocene Glacier Fluctuations in New Zealand Differ from the Northern Signature.’ It talks about the research identifying the differences in the movements of glaciers in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. In both regions the land experienced their own hot and cold periods – at different times!
Over the weekend a Climate conference, attended by around 150 international scientists was held in Wellington to discuss the results of climate research completed in the southern hemisphere.
Geomorphologist Andrew Mackintosh of Victoria University, who participated in the New Zealand Glacial research projects, says that the earth will not uniformly warm up. In fact, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are growing, because of the wet cool conditions weather patterns are bringing to our country.
“The more we're learning about the Southern Hemisphere we understand that it has its own climate system that's somewhat different." He is quoted as saying in the NZ Herald.
So how can we find out the truth about Global Warming and Climate Change?
Here are some websites to visit.
Visit “NZ glacier findings upset climate theory’ at
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/324/5927/599
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protoco
www.erantis.com/events/denmark/copenhagen/climate-conference-2009/index.htm
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-greenhouse-hamburger
Personally, I believe that that Global Warming is a load of Codswallop.
Yes, we carelessly using the earth by over fishing, too much deforesting, creating too much waste. And too many destructive gasses. Yes, the climate is changing. Yes, climate research is important. It reveals much about the history of the earth, including when, where and how certain areas have been much hotter or colder, than they are today. And Why. For example, Greenland was named so because it was green. And the Sahara was not always a desert.
So, do we need a Copenhagen Treaty? Yes, I do believe so. It will probably cost participating countries an arm and a leg, which, at the end of the day, means you and I. But it will mean that we all, providing our country ratifies the Treaty, will have some goals about cleaning up our environmental act, to work towards.
The Year 2012 is a significant one for us. It is the end of the commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, as it is. Adopted in 1997, and an amendment to the International Treaty of Climate Change, the purpose of the protocol was to give industrialised countries mandatory targets to reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases, being carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, hydro fluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons, by 50% of the 1990 emissions, by the middle of the 21st century. One regional economic integration organisation (EEC) and 168 countries have ratified the protocol, which became legal and binding in 2005.
In preparation for a new protocol, in May 2007, a group of business leaders and scientists gathered to form the Copenhagen Climate Council with the aim to establish a new climate treaty to come into play after 2012.
Since then there have been a series of meetings among appropriate groups and networks, all working towards a Climate Conference in Copenhagen in November this year. At the conference it is expected that a ‘Copenhagen Protocol,’ aimed to prevent global warming and climate change, will be agreed upon.
I believe that it is very important that a new protocol, following Kyoto, is necessary.
However, given this significant occasion, planned to affect our response to global warming and climate change, is it not any wonder then, that much information and propaganda has emerged?
Today, two books on this controversial subject are hot on the local marketplace.
The first, ‘Air Con – The Seriously Inconvenient Truth about Global Warming’ by the investigative journalist, Ian Wishart, has just been published.
In this easy-to-read book, Ian informs us about how much the Copenhagen Protocol will cost us – and, according to Ian, it will not be cheap. He questions the so called facts about global warming and climate change.
If you have not had time to read it yet, for a lively opinion about the Ian’s book, visit http://hot-topic.co.nz/
This website is by another author, the economist, portfolio manager, biker and public speaker, South Islander Gareth Morgan. Gareth is about to publish his own book ‘Poles Apart’ which he co-wrote with John McCrystal.
Gareth wasn’t sure if he believed in global warming or not. So he hired some of the world’s best scientists to answer his questions about the topic. ‘Poles Apart’ is the result of their answers.
Both these books appear to expound the facts about global warming and climate change, whether political, fictional or hearsay, and probably are worth the read.
However, no matter what form the Copenhagen Protocol appears in, no matter what is outlined in Ian’s, nor Gareth’s books, the truth about global warming and climate change is concealed in the earth’s glaciers.
It has always been recognised that the glaciers can tell us much about the earth’s history. In the May 1 issue of Science Magazine (on the net) there are two articles confirming this fact. The first one is:
‘The Geographic Footprint of Glacier Change’ by Greg Balco from the Berkeley Geochronology Centre in California. In it, he talks about how Alpine Glaciers offer ‘spectacular records of climate change’ and along with their deposits in the form of lakes, moraines and valleys they can reveal much information about the rises and fluctuations of the world’s temperatures before they were measured by today’s scientific instruments.
Another item in the same edition by three New Zealand Scientists is entitled
‘High-Frequency Holocene Glacier Fluctuations in New Zealand Differ from the Northern Signature.’ It talks about the research identifying the differences in the movements of glaciers in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. In both regions the land experienced their own hot and cold periods – at different times!
Over the weekend a Climate conference, attended by around 150 international scientists was held in Wellington to discuss the results of climate research completed in the southern hemisphere.
Geomorphologist Andrew Mackintosh of Victoria University, who participated in the New Zealand Glacial research projects, says that the earth will not uniformly warm up. In fact, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are growing, because of the wet cool conditions weather patterns are bringing to our country.
“The more we're learning about the Southern Hemisphere we understand that it has its own climate system that's somewhat different." He is quoted as saying in the NZ Herald.
So how can we find out the truth about Global Warming and Climate Change?
Here are some websites to visit.
Visit “NZ glacier findings upset climate theory’ at
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/324/5927/599
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protoco
www.erantis.com/events/denmark/copenhagen/climate-conference-2009/index.htm
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-greenhouse-hamburger
Personally, I believe that that Global Warming is a load of Codswallop.
Yes, we carelessly using the earth by over fishing, too much deforesting, creating too much waste. And too many destructive gasses. Yes, the climate is changing. Yes, climate research is important. It reveals much about the history of the earth, including when, where and how certain areas have been much hotter or colder, than they are today. And Why. For example, Greenland was named so because it was green. And the Sahara was not always a desert.
So, do we need a Copenhagen Treaty? Yes, I do believe so. It will probably cost participating countries an arm and a leg, which, at the end of the day, means you and I. But it will mean that we all, providing our country ratifies the Treaty, will have some goals about cleaning up our environmental act, to work towards.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
A Brief History of the North West Passage
by Rae Collins
The realization that there is most likely to be a North West Passage from Greenland, across the top of Canada has intrigued explorers for well over 40 years.
This concept grew in the late 15th century with the voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot, who made the first recorded landfalls on the North American continent since the Norse voyages of the 11th century. The Cabots established that a passage through or round America would be necessary if the dream to find a short route to get to the ‘treasures’ of the Orient was realized.
Since then many explorers have attempted to find this elusive passage. Along the way many landmarks, rivers and other geographical features have been charted and named after these people.
Exploring, in particular in such extreme conditions as these, was not without its stories. The explorations are dotted with tales of mutinies, abandonments, political interventions, including wars, and illness.
Between 1576 and 1631 there was much explorative activity, when areas such as the Hudson and Baffin Bays were discovered.
Fro the next 100 years or so, apart from some fur trading there was very little activity in the area. Some people, including Captain James Cook, visited but were blocked by Ice.
About this time, the British Admiralty, in particular John Barrow, took a major part in organizing future expeditions, as it felt threatened by Russian interests in the area.
Then in 1818, John Ross rediscovered Baffin Bay, and the dream of a possible passage was rekindled.
Much surveying was completed during this time, and while the actual passage was never discovered, there was enough proof to establish that such a passage existed.
The adventures of these people are outlined by Glyn Williams in his book Voyages of delusion: the Northwest Passage in the Age of Reason.
Probably the most notable Explorer in the 1800’s was John Franklin, who made two extensive land exhibitions and one by sea. The purpose of his last voyage was to prove for once and for all, that there definitely was a North West Passage. However tragedy struck when his ships became ice bound over most fierce winters, he and many of his crew became ill and died, while others perished trying to find a way out. The fascinating story of this disaster, including the ominous events leading to it, are outlined in a very good book “Ice Blink” by Scott Cookman.
In spite of all the explorations and charting of the area, everyone who attempted the navigation was turned back by ice.
The Passage would not be successfully navigated until the twentieth century when, in 1903-06, Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian, made the full transit by sea in the Gjöa. Even though he was the first to make the voyage, he always acknowledged the work of the British Explorers who made the feat possible.
The realization that there is most likely to be a North West Passage from Greenland, across the top of Canada has intrigued explorers for well over 40 years.
This concept grew in the late 15th century with the voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot, who made the first recorded landfalls on the North American continent since the Norse voyages of the 11th century. The Cabots established that a passage through or round America would be necessary if the dream to find a short route to get to the ‘treasures’ of the Orient was realized.
Since then many explorers have attempted to find this elusive passage. Along the way many landmarks, rivers and other geographical features have been charted and named after these people.
Exploring, in particular in such extreme conditions as these, was not without its stories. The explorations are dotted with tales of mutinies, abandonments, political interventions, including wars, and illness.
Between 1576 and 1631 there was much explorative activity, when areas such as the Hudson and Baffin Bays were discovered.
Fro the next 100 years or so, apart from some fur trading there was very little activity in the area. Some people, including Captain James Cook, visited but were blocked by Ice.
About this time, the British Admiralty, in particular John Barrow, took a major part in organizing future expeditions, as it felt threatened by Russian interests in the area.
Then in 1818, John Ross rediscovered Baffin Bay, and the dream of a possible passage was rekindled.
Much surveying was completed during this time, and while the actual passage was never discovered, there was enough proof to establish that such a passage existed.
The adventures of these people are outlined by Glyn Williams in his book Voyages of delusion: the Northwest Passage in the Age of Reason.
Probably the most notable Explorer in the 1800’s was John Franklin, who made two extensive land exhibitions and one by sea. The purpose of his last voyage was to prove for once and for all, that there definitely was a North West Passage. However tragedy struck when his ships became ice bound over most fierce winters, he and many of his crew became ill and died, while others perished trying to find a way out. The fascinating story of this disaster, including the ominous events leading to it, are outlined in a very good book “Ice Blink” by Scott Cookman.
In spite of all the explorations and charting of the area, everyone who attempted the navigation was turned back by ice.
The Passage would not be successfully navigated until the twentieth century when, in 1903-06, Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian, made the full transit by sea in the Gjöa. Even though he was the first to make the voyage, he always acknowledged the work of the British Explorers who made the feat possible.
The Great Debate – what is going on in the Arctic?
by Rae Collins
Any changes in the Arctic seems to affect the climate of the whole earth, earning the area the name the “Earth’s Air conditioner.” Today there is much concern because the Far North is reportedly experiencing the” second biggest ice melt in history. The biggest apparently ever, took place last year.
However, even though satellite recording of the North Pole and Artic area which commenced in 1978, has told us much about the climatic activities in the area, there is still much debate about Climate Change/Global Warming and its impact on the Arctic and the world at large.
Here are some headlines and comments, which are currently circulating in the medias:
‘”Situation In Arctic Ice Affects Many Things Including Weather” states the www.eontarionow.com website. This article talks about the impact on wildlife and the concern that, because of receding ice in the far north, predatory species may move into new habitats and overtake resident species.
“No matter where you look at it, Arctic Ice in many areas appears to be in a death spiral,” Dr Mark Serreze says in this article.
A scientist with the National Snow and Ice Data Center located in Boulder Colorado, the agency in the United States that closely monitors and tracks the condition of Arctic ice in the far north, he is especially concerned about the ice melt in the Chukchi Sea. Situated immediately north of the Bering Straight between Alaska and Siberia, the area is home to the world’s largest population of Polar Bears. More drowning by polar bears have been reported in recent years, presumably because they have to swim further to their food sources.
The Online National Geographic Magazine states that “North Pole May Be Ice-Free for First Time This Summer” Further reading of this article suggests the writer means by between 2013 and 2030. The ‘new’ ice, which covers the sea at present, is expected melt very quickly.
“Arctic ice refuses to melt as ordered.” Steven Goddard, in an article on www.theregister.co.uk challenges the data presented by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). He says the area of the Arctic sea ice is increasing. He states that
“The Arctic melt season is nearly over for this year. And none of these dire predictions have come to pass. Yet there is, however, something odd going on with the ice data.” His article has sparked some lively debate about the accuracy and origins of data and subsequent conclusions.
It is interesting to note that a series of Arctic underwater volcanoes have erupted in violent explosions in the past decade. Hidden 2.5 miles (4,000 meters) beneath the Arctic surface, the volcanoes are up to a mile (2,000 meters) in diameter and a few hundred yards tall. They formed along the Gakkel Ridge, a 1,800 kilometers crack in the ocean crust between Greenland and Siberia where two rocky plates are spreading apart, pulling new melted rock to the surface.
It has been well documented through history, that volcanic explosions can have a huge but temporary impact on the world’s climate. For example, it is noted on the www.foxnews.com website, that over 400 years ago, a massive volcanic explosion from Huaynaputina in Peru may have been responsible for the worst famine in Russia’s history, from 1601 – 1603, exceptionally cold winters in Switzerland, Estonia and Latvia, and the wine harvest in France was late as were the blossoming of peach trees in China.
Other volcanic explosions have also been known to affect the world’s climate, including Indonesia’s Tambora in 1815, and the explosion of Lake Taupo, New Zealand in 186 AD. The ancient Romans and Greeks noticed darkened skies from this explosion.
So if explosions above the water affect the earth’s climate, how does the impact underwater volcanic activity affect it?
Alongside the concern of the rapid ice melt, there are some positive aspects.
For example, the famed, and elusive North West Passage opened for navigation, for the first time since satellite records began in 1978 (see the North West Passage Article).
And visitors may now visit a variety to destinations on cruise ships through to ice breakers. A popular but restricted destination is the Franz Josef Archipelago, the northernmost set of islands in the world. Originally used as the last post before going to the North Pole, and for scientific and wartime observations, tourists visit to observe, at extremely close hand, dozens of curious polar bears and walruses.
Students may also visit the Arctic. Every year The Cape Farewell Youth Expedition brings together 28 like minded international students, teachers, scientists and artists to study the Artic and act as ambassadors for the area.
And now it is possible to circumnavigate the North Pole for the first time ever. Soon we might be able to sail over the North Pole….
However, the debate remains. Will we, in our lifetime, see an iceless North Pole? Sooner or later? Will it be a result of Global Warming, Climate Change or something else? And what will be the impact on the rest of the world? Watch this space…..
Any changes in the Arctic seems to affect the climate of the whole earth, earning the area the name the “Earth’s Air conditioner.” Today there is much concern because the Far North is reportedly experiencing the” second biggest ice melt in history. The biggest apparently ever, took place last year.
However, even though satellite recording of the North Pole and Artic area which commenced in 1978, has told us much about the climatic activities in the area, there is still much debate about Climate Change/Global Warming and its impact on the Arctic and the world at large.
Here are some headlines and comments, which are currently circulating in the medias:
‘”Situation In Arctic Ice Affects Many Things Including Weather” states the www.eontarionow.com website. This article talks about the impact on wildlife and the concern that, because of receding ice in the far north, predatory species may move into new habitats and overtake resident species.
“No matter where you look at it, Arctic Ice in many areas appears to be in a death spiral,” Dr Mark Serreze says in this article.
A scientist with the National Snow and Ice Data Center located in Boulder Colorado, the agency in the United States that closely monitors and tracks the condition of Arctic ice in the far north, he is especially concerned about the ice melt in the Chukchi Sea. Situated immediately north of the Bering Straight between Alaska and Siberia, the area is home to the world’s largest population of Polar Bears. More drowning by polar bears have been reported in recent years, presumably because they have to swim further to their food sources.
The Online National Geographic Magazine states that “North Pole May Be Ice-Free for First Time This Summer” Further reading of this article suggests the writer means by between 2013 and 2030. The ‘new’ ice, which covers the sea at present, is expected melt very quickly.
“Arctic ice refuses to melt as ordered.” Steven Goddard, in an article on www.theregister.co.uk challenges the data presented by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). He says the area of the Arctic sea ice is increasing. He states that
“The Arctic melt season is nearly over for this year. And none of these dire predictions have come to pass. Yet there is, however, something odd going on with the ice data.” His article has sparked some lively debate about the accuracy and origins of data and subsequent conclusions.
It is interesting to note that a series of Arctic underwater volcanoes have erupted in violent explosions in the past decade. Hidden 2.5 miles (4,000 meters) beneath the Arctic surface, the volcanoes are up to a mile (2,000 meters) in diameter and a few hundred yards tall. They formed along the Gakkel Ridge, a 1,800 kilometers crack in the ocean crust between Greenland and Siberia where two rocky plates are spreading apart, pulling new melted rock to the surface.
It has been well documented through history, that volcanic explosions can have a huge but temporary impact on the world’s climate. For example, it is noted on the www.foxnews.com website, that over 400 years ago, a massive volcanic explosion from Huaynaputina in Peru may have been responsible for the worst famine in Russia’s history, from 1601 – 1603, exceptionally cold winters in Switzerland, Estonia and Latvia, and the wine harvest in France was late as were the blossoming of peach trees in China.
Other volcanic explosions have also been known to affect the world’s climate, including Indonesia’s Tambora in 1815, and the explosion of Lake Taupo, New Zealand in 186 AD. The ancient Romans and Greeks noticed darkened skies from this explosion.
So if explosions above the water affect the earth’s climate, how does the impact underwater volcanic activity affect it?
Alongside the concern of the rapid ice melt, there are some positive aspects.
For example, the famed, and elusive North West Passage opened for navigation, for the first time since satellite records began in 1978 (see the North West Passage Article).
And visitors may now visit a variety to destinations on cruise ships through to ice breakers. A popular but restricted destination is the Franz Josef Archipelago, the northernmost set of islands in the world. Originally used as the last post before going to the North Pole, and for scientific and wartime observations, tourists visit to observe, at extremely close hand, dozens of curious polar bears and walruses.
Students may also visit the Arctic. Every year The Cape Farewell Youth Expedition brings together 28 like minded international students, teachers, scientists and artists to study the Artic and act as ambassadors for the area.
And now it is possible to circumnavigate the North Pole for the first time ever. Soon we might be able to sail over the North Pole….
However, the debate remains. Will we, in our lifetime, see an iceless North Pole? Sooner or later? Will it be a result of Global Warming, Climate Change or something else? And what will be the impact on the rest of the world? Watch this space…..
Monday, June 9, 2008
Exciting discovery made on the South Pacific Ocean's Macquarie Ridge
During their month long research trip to the Macquarie Ridge recently, scientists aboard the Research Vessel Tangaroa of New Zealand’s National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), discovered an seemingly unlikely colony of starfish-like echinoderms called brittlestars living at the summit of a huge seamount. These critters take advantage of the dramatic 4km/hr ocean current of the dramatic 4km/hr ocean current at the summit, capturing prey as it is blown over the seamount. According to Dr. Mike Willams of NIWA, “This current is estimated to be 110 to 150 times larger than all the water flowing in all the rivers of the world.”
The Macquarie Ridge extends southwest of New Zealand and then curves southeast before ending at around 58 degrees south. Running along the Macquarie Fault Zone, a major right lateral-moving transform fault along the seafloor of the south Pacific Ocean, and also the tectonic plate boundary between the Indo-Australian Plate to the northwest and the Pacific Plate to the southeast the ridge is the result of the two abutting plates. Macquarie Island, along the ridge, was formed from the thrusting of the two plates. It does not have large-scale sediment, was not formed by a volcano and does not have suffered from glacial activities. The age of the rocks forming the island is extremely young geologically and there is much interest from scientists and geologists to study the island, the ridge, the trenches alongside it, and the life it supports.
Very few of the 100,000 seamounts which rise higher than 1km above the sea have been explored. It was originally thought that only corals and sponges covered the seamounts, so the discovery of the brittle stars was an exciting and significant find.
The Census of Marine Life seamount programme, CenSeam, hosted the trip. The voyage was largely funded by the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.
Sources
www.survivalmachine.org
http://censeam.niwa.co.nz
This ten year old organizations, mission is “to determine the role of seamounts in the biogeography, biodiversity, productivity, and evolution of marine organisms, and to evaluate the effects of human exploitation on seamounts.” A detailed account of the Tangaroa is on the site, along with similar expeditions and their outcomes. Very interesting reading, about the trips,t he people, and life on board.
The Macquarie Ridge extends southwest of New Zealand and then curves southeast before ending at around 58 degrees south. Running along the Macquarie Fault Zone, a major right lateral-moving transform fault along the seafloor of the south Pacific Ocean, and also the tectonic plate boundary between the Indo-Australian Plate to the northwest and the Pacific Plate to the southeast the ridge is the result of the two abutting plates. Macquarie Island, along the ridge, was formed from the thrusting of the two plates. It does not have large-scale sediment, was not formed by a volcano and does not have suffered from glacial activities. The age of the rocks forming the island is extremely young geologically and there is much interest from scientists and geologists to study the island, the ridge, the trenches alongside it, and the life it supports.
Very few of the 100,000 seamounts which rise higher than 1km above the sea have been explored. It was originally thought that only corals and sponges covered the seamounts, so the discovery of the brittle stars was an exciting and significant find.
The Census of Marine Life seamount programme, CenSeam, hosted the trip. The voyage was largely funded by the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.
Sources
www.survivalmachine.org
http://censeam.niwa.co.nz
This ten year old organizations, mission is “to determine the role of seamounts in the biogeography, biodiversity, productivity, and evolution of marine organisms, and to evaluate the effects of human exploitation on seamounts.” A detailed account of the Tangaroa is on the site, along with similar expeditions and their outcomes. Very interesting reading, about the trips,t he people, and life on board.
245 Million-year-old Burrows of Land Vertebrates found in Antarctica
June 2008. For the first time paleontologists have found fossilized burrows of tetrapods (land vertebrates with four legs or leglike appendages) in Antarctica dating from the Early Triassic epoch, about 245 million years ago.
The fossils were created when fine sand from an overflowing river poured into the animals' burrows and hardened into casts of the open spaces. The largest preserved piece is about 14 inches long, 6 inches wide and 3 inches deep. No animal remains were found inside the burrow casts, but the hardened sediment in each burrow preserved a track made as the animals entered and exited. In addition, scratch marks from the animals' initial excavation were apparent in some places, said Christian Sidor, a University of Washington assistant professor of biology and curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the UW.
"We've got good evidence that these burrows were made by land-dwelling animals rather than crayfish," said Sidor, who is lead author of a paper describing the find, which is being published in the June edition of The Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Co-authors are Molly Miller, a geology professor at Vanderbilt University, and John Isbell, a geosciences professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The work was funded by the National Science Foundation.
Fossils of tetrapod bones from later in the Triassic period have been found in a section of Antarctica called Victoria Land, but the fossil burrows predate those bone fossils by at least 15 million years, Sidor said. The fossilized burrows were collected in 2003 and 2005-06 from the Fremouw Formation at Wahl Glacier and from the Lashly Formation at Allan Hills, both toward the outer edges of Antarctica.
Pangea
Despite the absence of fossil bones, the burrows' relatively small size prompted Sidor to speculate that their owners might have been small lizardlike reptiles called Procolophonids or an early mammal relative called Thrinaxodon. Burrows, some containing tetrapod bones, have previously been excavated in South Africa, which is considered to be perhaps the world's richest fossil depository, and those burrows are nearly identical to the fossils unearthed in Antarctica. During the Triassic period, Antarctica and South Africa were connected as part of a supercontinent called Pangea.
Because even at that time Antarctica was substantially colder than South Africa, and because sea levels likely were higher than today, it is much rarer to find fossils there that date from as far back as the Early Triassic.
"Everywhere has a spotty fossil record, but Antarctica has an extremely spotty fossil record because it is difficult finding exposed rocks amid all the ice," Sidor said.
Ice free Antarctic
At the time the burrows were dug, Antarctica would have been ice free. However temperatures still would have been quite cold, since both areas where the burrows were found are within the Antarctic Circle and so experience at least one day a year of complete darkness.
"We have documented that tetrapods were burrowing, making dens in Antarctica, back in the Triassic," Sidor said. "There are lots of good reasons for burrowing at high latitudes, not the least of which is protection from the elements."
The fossils were created when fine sand from an overflowing river poured into the animals' burrows and hardened into casts of the open spaces. The largest preserved piece is about 14 inches long, 6 inches wide and 3 inches deep. No animal remains were found inside the burrow casts, but the hardened sediment in each burrow preserved a track made as the animals entered and exited. In addition, scratch marks from the animals' initial excavation were apparent in some places, said Christian Sidor, a University of Washington assistant professor of biology and curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the UW.
"We've got good evidence that these burrows were made by land-dwelling animals rather than crayfish," said Sidor, who is lead author of a paper describing the find, which is being published in the June edition of The Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Co-authors are Molly Miller, a geology professor at Vanderbilt University, and John Isbell, a geosciences professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The work was funded by the National Science Foundation.
Fossils of tetrapod bones from later in the Triassic period have been found in a section of Antarctica called Victoria Land, but the fossil burrows predate those bone fossils by at least 15 million years, Sidor said. The fossilized burrows were collected in 2003 and 2005-06 from the Fremouw Formation at Wahl Glacier and from the Lashly Formation at Allan Hills, both toward the outer edges of Antarctica.
Pangea
Despite the absence of fossil bones, the burrows' relatively small size prompted Sidor to speculate that their owners might have been small lizardlike reptiles called Procolophonids or an early mammal relative called Thrinaxodon. Burrows, some containing tetrapod bones, have previously been excavated in South Africa, which is considered to be perhaps the world's richest fossil depository, and those burrows are nearly identical to the fossils unearthed in Antarctica. During the Triassic period, Antarctica and South Africa were connected as part of a supercontinent called Pangea.
Because even at that time Antarctica was substantially colder than South Africa, and because sea levels likely were higher than today, it is much rarer to find fossils there that date from as far back as the Early Triassic.
"Everywhere has a spotty fossil record, but Antarctica has an extremely spotty fossil record because it is difficult finding exposed rocks amid all the ice," Sidor said.
Ice free Antarctic
At the time the burrows were dug, Antarctica would have been ice free. However temperatures still would have been quite cold, since both areas where the burrows were found are within the Antarctic Circle and so experience at least one day a year of complete darkness.
"We have documented that tetrapods were burrowing, making dens in Antarctica, back in the Triassic," Sidor said. "There are lots of good reasons for burrowing at high latitudes, not the least of which is protection from the elements."
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Recent discoveries about Antarctica
Global Warming Not Responsible for the Collapse of Larsen B
Welsh Scientists have discovered that the sudden collapse of the ice self Larson B (the event which triggered the current International Polare Year) was not due to global warming. The demise of long fringing shelf, based in the north west of the Weddell Sea, was presumed to be the latest of a long line of events because of the Antarctic summer heat waves linked to Global warming.
In truth, a number of factors led to the collapse, including oceanic, atmospheric and glaciological. Apparently the ice shelf had been in distress for decades.
For more information go to the International Glaciological Society web page, http://www.igsoc.org. The New Zealand Branch of the Society is called the Snow and Ice Research Group http://www.sirg.org.nz/. It also has an association with the NZ Antarctic Research Centre http://www.victoria.ac.nz/antarctic.
The Antarctica Continent is Not Actually Melting!
In spite of the recent measured rate of ice loss at 75 percent, 14 years of radar mapping of the continent in a new study by a University of California at Irvine has established that the continent is not melting. In fact, warmer ocean temperatures around Antarctica, likely aided by shifting currents, are causing ice to flow more quickly to the ocean from the continent's interior.
The study also reveals the complicated effects of global warming.
"When the ice enters into contact with the ocean around the periphery of Antarctica, there's a lot of melt from underneath the ocean," glaciologist Eric Rignot said.
The whole continent is not actually warming – some areas, including the centre are still very cold. However, according to Rignot, the Antarctic Peninsula is warming up at four to five times the global average.
The findings show that even within a single continent, the simple picture of climate change - hotter temperatures equal more glacial melting - one must yield to a more nuanced understanding as to why some places warm up, some cool down, and the connection to planetary warming.
The study, published online in the journal Nature Geoscience, relied upon data from several satellites, which used radar with a high degree of precision to measure ice movement.
First Evidence Of Under-ice Volcanic Eruption In Antarctica discovered
According to a report on the January 2 2008 Science Daily, The first evidence of a volcanic eruption from beneath Antarctica's most rapidly changing ice sheet has been reported. The volcano, located on part of the Hudson Mountains beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet erupted 2000 years ago (325BC) and remains active. With today’s scientific techniques, including airborne ice sounding radar it has been possible to date and measure the power of the eruption. Apparently it was the biggest eruption in Antarctic in the last 10,000 years. It blew a huge hole in the sheet and spurted gas and ash 12 kilometers into the air. Scientists believe that this discovery will help determine the future of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Along with the study of other extinct and live volcanoes, including Mt Erebus, a better understanding the interaction between the volcanoes and ice will come about.
From the February online edition of Nature Geoscience.
New Species Discovered in the Southern Ocean
Dinner plate sized sea spiders, and squid with 6 meter long tentacles have been among the many spectacular new creatures discovered in the Southern Ocean by a fleet of 3 ships, organised by Ceamark.
Part of the International Census of Antarctic Marine Life project organised by the Australian Antarctic Division, this recent expedition is one of up to 16 planned research voyages to Antarctica as part of the International Polar Year. The census will survey all aspects of biodiversity in Antarctica, and establish a baseline dataset from which future changes can be observed.
Robotic Observatory Opens on Antarctic Plateau
By Bill Christensen
posted: 07 February 2008
04:40 pm ET
A robotic observatory — PLATO short for PLATeau Observatory) — has been completed on one of Earth's most remote locations —on Dome Argus on the Antarctic Plateau and the highest point of Antarctica. With temperatures that drop to minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit, at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the automated facility is an 18-day journey from existing research stations.
The Antarctic Plateau is considered one of Earth's prime viewing locations. The air is extremely dry; it also features relatively low wind speeds and less atmospheric turbulence.
The purpose of PLATO is to continuously observe an area of the sky over the pole as the Earth rotates. The automated observatory is powered by solar panels and by small diesel engines during the lightless winter.
PLATO has a total of seven telescopes and equipment from China, the U.S. and the U.K. It was assembled by a team at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. The expedition was led by the Polar Research Institute of China and the observatory will begin sending data back by satellite in a few weeks, when darkness returns to Antarctica.
From www.space.com, and http://mcba11.phys.unsw.edu.au/~mcba/plato/.
Potato Chips to become Extinct?
A tiny Marine Snail, the Pteropod, is likely to become extinct if our southern oceans become warmer and more acidic, according to Gretchen Hofmann at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
An essential food item for many fish, seals and penguins, the Pteropods may find it more difficult to make their shells in the future. The demise of these ‘potato chips would have a catastrophic impact on the food chain.
Apparently the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing more of the gas to dissolve in the oceans, resulting in a build up of acidity. Today this process is apparently faster than it ever has been and the impact will last for centuries, according to Doney Scott of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Now people can fly direct from Australia to Antarctica
Thanks to the January, 2008 completion of the Wilkins Runway in West Antarctica, Australian Scientists can fly direct to Antarctica from Australia. Until recently, they had to undertake a 10-day journey by ship from Hobart, Tasmania.
The official opening on January 11, 2008 was celebrated by the arrival and landing of the first ever flight of a corporate airbus jetliner. Named after the adventurer and aviator Sir Hubert Wilkins, who made the first flight in Antarctica 79 years ago the AUD $46 million dollar runway is carved into glacial blue ice, approximately 65 km (40 miles) from the Australian base at Casey Station.
The idea to have a runway on Australian Antarctic Territory was first suggested in the 1950’s but strict political and environmental issues meant that construction of the single runway did not commence until 2004. To keep it at runway standard eight people are required to maintain the level and friction of the runway before each landing.
Unfortunately, for most of us, we will not be able to do the nine-hour return trip from Hobart, as the Antarctic summer flying schedules cater for scientists only.
Welsh Scientists have discovered that the sudden collapse of the ice self Larson B (the event which triggered the current International Polare Year) was not due to global warming. The demise of long fringing shelf, based in the north west of the Weddell Sea, was presumed to be the latest of a long line of events because of the Antarctic summer heat waves linked to Global warming.
In truth, a number of factors led to the collapse, including oceanic, atmospheric and glaciological. Apparently the ice shelf had been in distress for decades.
For more information go to the International Glaciological Society web page, http://www.igsoc.org. The New Zealand Branch of the Society is called the Snow and Ice Research Group http://www.sirg.org.nz/. It also has an association with the NZ Antarctic Research Centre http://www.victoria.ac.nz/antarctic.
The Antarctica Continent is Not Actually Melting!
In spite of the recent measured rate of ice loss at 75 percent, 14 years of radar mapping of the continent in a new study by a University of California at Irvine has established that the continent is not melting. In fact, warmer ocean temperatures around Antarctica, likely aided by shifting currents, are causing ice to flow more quickly to the ocean from the continent's interior.
The study also reveals the complicated effects of global warming.
"When the ice enters into contact with the ocean around the periphery of Antarctica, there's a lot of melt from underneath the ocean," glaciologist Eric Rignot said.
The whole continent is not actually warming – some areas, including the centre are still very cold. However, according to Rignot, the Antarctic Peninsula is warming up at four to five times the global average.
The findings show that even within a single continent, the simple picture of climate change - hotter temperatures equal more glacial melting - one must yield to a more nuanced understanding as to why some places warm up, some cool down, and the connection to planetary warming.
The study, published online in the journal Nature Geoscience, relied upon data from several satellites, which used radar with a high degree of precision to measure ice movement.
First Evidence Of Under-ice Volcanic Eruption In Antarctica discovered
According to a report on the January 2 2008 Science Daily, The first evidence of a volcanic eruption from beneath Antarctica's most rapidly changing ice sheet has been reported. The volcano, located on part of the Hudson Mountains beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet erupted 2000 years ago (325BC) and remains active. With today’s scientific techniques, including airborne ice sounding radar it has been possible to date and measure the power of the eruption. Apparently it was the biggest eruption in Antarctic in the last 10,000 years. It blew a huge hole in the sheet and spurted gas and ash 12 kilometers into the air. Scientists believe that this discovery will help determine the future of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Along with the study of other extinct and live volcanoes, including Mt Erebus, a better understanding the interaction between the volcanoes and ice will come about.
From the February online edition of Nature Geoscience.
New Species Discovered in the Southern Ocean
Dinner plate sized sea spiders, and squid with 6 meter long tentacles have been among the many spectacular new creatures discovered in the Southern Ocean by a fleet of 3 ships, organised by Ceamark.
Part of the International Census of Antarctic Marine Life project organised by the Australian Antarctic Division, this recent expedition is one of up to 16 planned research voyages to Antarctica as part of the International Polar Year. The census will survey all aspects of biodiversity in Antarctica, and establish a baseline dataset from which future changes can be observed.
Robotic Observatory Opens on Antarctic Plateau
By Bill Christensen
posted: 07 February 2008
04:40 pm ET
A robotic observatory — PLATO short for PLATeau Observatory) — has been completed on one of Earth's most remote locations —on Dome Argus on the Antarctic Plateau and the highest point of Antarctica. With temperatures that drop to minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit, at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the automated facility is an 18-day journey from existing research stations.
The Antarctic Plateau is considered one of Earth's prime viewing locations. The air is extremely dry; it also features relatively low wind speeds and less atmospheric turbulence.
The purpose of PLATO is to continuously observe an area of the sky over the pole as the Earth rotates. The automated observatory is powered by solar panels and by small diesel engines during the lightless winter.
PLATO has a total of seven telescopes and equipment from China, the U.S. and the U.K. It was assembled by a team at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. The expedition was led by the Polar Research Institute of China and the observatory will begin sending data back by satellite in a few weeks, when darkness returns to Antarctica.
From www.space.com, and http://mcba11.phys.unsw.edu.au/~mcba/plato/.
Potato Chips to become Extinct?
A tiny Marine Snail, the Pteropod, is likely to become extinct if our southern oceans become warmer and more acidic, according to Gretchen Hofmann at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
An essential food item for many fish, seals and penguins, the Pteropods may find it more difficult to make their shells in the future. The demise of these ‘potato chips would have a catastrophic impact on the food chain.
Apparently the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing more of the gas to dissolve in the oceans, resulting in a build up of acidity. Today this process is apparently faster than it ever has been and the impact will last for centuries, according to Doney Scott of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Now people can fly direct from Australia to Antarctica
Thanks to the January, 2008 completion of the Wilkins Runway in West Antarctica, Australian Scientists can fly direct to Antarctica from Australia. Until recently, they had to undertake a 10-day journey by ship from Hobart, Tasmania.
The official opening on January 11, 2008 was celebrated by the arrival and landing of the first ever flight of a corporate airbus jetliner. Named after the adventurer and aviator Sir Hubert Wilkins, who made the first flight in Antarctica 79 years ago the AUD $46 million dollar runway is carved into glacial blue ice, approximately 65 km (40 miles) from the Australian base at Casey Station.
The idea to have a runway on Australian Antarctic Territory was first suggested in the 1950’s but strict political and environmental issues meant that construction of the single runway did not commence until 2004. To keep it at runway standard eight people are required to maintain the level and friction of the runway before each landing.
Unfortunately, for most of us, we will not be able to do the nine-hour return trip from Hobart, as the Antarctic summer flying schedules cater for scientists only.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
The Deceit of Global Warming
From an article in the Britian’s online newsletterwebsite, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ November 5, 2007
For those who poo poo’d Al Gore’s facts and information in on Global Warming in ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ then this is the book they will love. Scared to Death: From BSE To Global Warming — How Scares Are Costing Us The Earth by Christopher Booker and Richard North.
The book talks about how we have been cajoled into believing that mankind is responsible for Global Warming, how facts and figures have been manipulated for the purpose of the economics and politics. It tells the real history of the world’s changing temperatures often known as and subsequent life and agriculture changes (for example, the Roman Warming, the Mediaeval Warming, and the Little Ice Age), it exposes how information collected for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the IPCC) is manipulated for reporting and why Michael Mann’s hockey stick temperature graph was used for ‘scaremongering.”
Global warming, as described that by Tony Blair's chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, claimed in 2004, poses "a far greater threat to the world than international terrorism"
But is this so? Isn’t this just scaremongery? The article on the telegraph.co.uk website is a most informative read in itself, but I do urge you to get a copy. Not sure if it is in New Zealand, but it is available in the UK. Oh and when you have finished reading your copy, may I borrow it?
For those who poo poo’d Al Gore’s facts and information in on Global Warming in ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ then this is the book they will love. Scared to Death: From BSE To Global Warming — How Scares Are Costing Us The Earth by Christopher Booker and Richard North.
The book talks about how we have been cajoled into believing that mankind is responsible for Global Warming, how facts and figures have been manipulated for the purpose of the economics and politics. It tells the real history of the world’s changing temperatures often known as and subsequent life and agriculture changes (for example, the Roman Warming, the Mediaeval Warming, and the Little Ice Age), it exposes how information collected for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the IPCC) is manipulated for reporting and why Michael Mann’s hockey stick temperature graph was used for ‘scaremongering.”
Global warming, as described that by Tony Blair's chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, claimed in 2004, poses "a far greater threat to the world than international terrorism"
But is this so? Isn’t this just scaremongery? The article on the telegraph.co.uk website is a most informative read in itself, but I do urge you to get a copy. Not sure if it is in New Zealand, but it is available in the UK. Oh and when you have finished reading your copy, may I borrow it?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Climatic Change - A Snapshot
When flying home from our European Adventure, I was very excited to find out that our flight path would be over southern Greenland. Like many people, I was taught at school, and still believed, that Greenland was white and that a few Eskimos lived there. I think it was a friend called Isabella , who fishes in North Sea, made some comment that Greenland was actually brown!
There, sure enough, was the world’s biggest island, with its grey/brown scoria laiden mountains, dipping into green/blue waters, below me. And not a dot of snow in sight!
Greenland, in spite of looking huge on the map is only about the size of Mexico and 75% the area of Denmark. It boasts one of the world’s largest fiord complexes and apparently 80% of it is covered by ice.
It was first inhabited by the Saqqaq culture in around 2000BC. Then in the 10th century the Norwegian Eric the Red, who had to quit Iceland, 175 miles away, because of his involvement with a murder, discovered it. The church built by his wife Thorhild still stands today.
Since the 1500’s Greenland was governed by the Danes and in 1953 changed from a Danish Colony to become part of the Danish kingdom. By 1979 it has had its own local government at the inhabitants’ request.
Today the population is more than 56 thousand and has many tourists who enjoy the unique arctic climate and the outdoor activities it offers.
The country, which is environmentally friendly towards green plants because of geothermal hot spots, has been called “An Arctic Laboratory.” Indeed Danish Scientists had made it the “most completely explored arctic land in the world.” However, the land is poor in natural resources.
Fishing is Greenland’s main industry of Shrimp (peeled prawns) followed by Greenland halibut, crabs, scallops and cod.
The capital of Greenland is Nuuk, or Godthaab, which means “Good Hope,” was founded by Hans Egede. Its population of 15 thousand is made up of the Inuits, and Danes. The average temperature averages from –1 to 18 degrees centigrade, in winter there are 4.5 daylight hours while in summer there is light for 24 hours from May until August.
Greenland and Climatic Change
Greenland and it’s neighbouring Arctic Circle countries seem to be the most vulnerable countries to climatic change. But action is being taken.
In January 2008 Nuuk will be hosting the Mayors of Winter Cities Bi-annual Winter Cities Conference and Expo.
The theme “Mother of the Sea” - a local folk story, reflects the conference’s focus of Global Warming and in particular, Climatic Changes in the Arctic. Reports from various surveys in local and nearby countries reported that 75% of all indigenous adults reported that climatic change is an environmental problem for them, as many, in spite of being satisfied with their lives, and jobs, spend a significant amount of time in traditional subsistence activities, including hunting and fishing.
There are, however, mixed reactions to Climate Change, or Global Warming in Greenland. It is been seen as a local boom, not doom for the world, as Al Gore suggests in his movie, “An Inconvenient Truth.” According to an article in the Wall St Journal in July 2006, a reindeer rancher says the glacier on his property has retreated 300 metres and his reindeer now feast on wild thyme and purple Niviarsiaq flowers. And he is planning to harness his ‘new’ river for hydroelectricity.
Average temperatures in Greenland have risen by 2.7 degrees Farenheight over the last 30 years. Swans have appeared, ducks are no longer migrating, farmers are getting larger crop yields and more vegetables can be grown.
Climatic change in Greenland is not new, according to oxygen isotope samples taken from Greenland’s ice core. Apparently in 1100, when Eric the Red discovered and settled here it was warm. The following 300 years represented the height of the Norse farming era, then the Norse inexplicably vanished. Farming faded and disappeared in the 17th century, but was practised again by the Inuit farmers in the 19th century, combining Norse and modern practices. The cold spell from 1950 – 1975 slowed farming, but now it is expanding rapidly.
Greenland’s fishers are benefiting from the return of warm water loving cod, which disappear from the waters when there are long cold spells. However, the shrimp – Greenland’s largest export may disappear, because not only do they enjoy cold water, they are eaten by cod!
No matter what happens to the temperatures, the Greenlanders are determined to make the most of the benefits they bring.
Climatic Change and the International Scene
Scientific Watchdogs
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed by governments who were members of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programmed (UNEP) in 1988 to provide assessments of available scientific and technical information on climatic change. The most recent assessment was released in 2007, and can be seen on www.ipcc.ch
It has three separate working groups examining the physical science of climatic change, the effects on nature and society, and the methods of mitigation - that is, how humans can respond, adapt, survive and prosper to climactic change, and limit the effect of future warming by reducing the release of greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere. There is also a task force which is responsible for the IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme. New Zealanders David Wratt from Niwa, is a vice chair of the Climatic Change group, while Helen Plume, from the Ministry for the Environment, is a member of the Task Force.
Educating the Masses - An Inconvenient Truth – the movie we love and hate
“Humanity is sitting on a ticking time bomb. If the vast majority of the world's scientists are right, we have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced.”
No matter what we think about global warming I am sure that most of us who saw the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” with Al Gore would agree that it is worth watching, even if we tire of the many facts, figures and diagrams with tails disappearing into thin air. However he does have many points, which make us think twice about what is happening on our planet, and what we can do, in our own patches.
Life at the Edge
The National Geographic, June 2007, as well as providing some spectacular photos of the wildlife which depend on the ice, talks about the significant shrinking of ice covering the Arctic Ocean in summer, over the last 25 years. What will happen to it if the ice shrinks much more?
Fewer icebergs and thinner ice covering the sea and warming it will result in changes in food supplies and shelter.
*“Ice is part of the biology of every creature that lives in this frozen vastness” Paul Nicklen
There is also alarming information about the thawing and receding of glaciers, in both the Arctic and Antarctic areas. For it is not just a case of the ice melting, there are multiple processes, which speeds the process. The processes include;
- the white snow melts, exposing the dark ice underneath. The dark ice absorbs heat and melts, whereas the white snow reflected the heat.
- Summer meltwater forms in pools in the ice, fractures it and pours below, speeding flow.
- Thinner ice has a weaker grip on the land and can’t hold the accelerating glacier
- Warmer oceans erode floating ice at its base, weakening it and causing it to break up.
The melting season in Greenland is starting earlier and ending later. Much of the bedrock has been forced below sea level, so rising seas may follow. However “Greenland alone could push *up sea level by three feet or so over the next century, if global warming does not let up.” Tim Appenzeller
Over the last 14 years Greenland researchers have had first hand experiences of rising temperatures. The seasonal melts have started earlier and ended later, snowmobile tracks have been full of slush and instead of snowing, it has been raining.
What are the Facts about Climate Change?
Participants in the 2007 IPCC assessment summarized some climatic arguments in the Scientific American magazine.
“Scientists are confident that humans have interfered with the climate and that further human-induced climatic change is on the way. The principle driver is greenhouse gas emissions…global warming has been caused by human activities as much as 90%…the magnitude of expected change depends on what humans choose to do about greenhouse gas emissions.
Eleven of the past 12 years have been the warmest since reliable records began in around 1850.
In conclusion, the article says that what is certain – plants, animals and humans will be living with the consequences of climatic change for the next thousand years at least. But what is uncertain – we have limited knowledge of the response of natural systems and human society to the growing impacts of climatic change.
In silence Greenland’s green waters and dramatic mountains slide out of my aircraft window’s view and for a short while and we fly over the waters of Davis Straight Davis Strait towards Nunavut, Canada. But look at that! A tidal Sea of Ice! Now I bet there is an interesting story here….
References include:
Scientific American August 2007
National Geographic June 2007
www.ipcc.ch
http://mytrip.dk/eindex.html. (great pics here)
http://jensjk.dk
http://www.wintercitiesnuuk.gl
ttp://www.climatecrisis.net/aboutthefilm
http://www.danishexporters.dk
http://en.wikipedia.org
There, sure enough, was the world’s biggest island, with its grey/brown scoria laiden mountains, dipping into green/blue waters, below me. And not a dot of snow in sight!
Greenland, in spite of looking huge on the map is only about the size of Mexico and 75% the area of Denmark. It boasts one of the world’s largest fiord complexes and apparently 80% of it is covered by ice.
It was first inhabited by the Saqqaq culture in around 2000BC. Then in the 10th century the Norwegian Eric the Red, who had to quit Iceland, 175 miles away, because of his involvement with a murder, discovered it. The church built by his wife Thorhild still stands today.
Since the 1500’s Greenland was governed by the Danes and in 1953 changed from a Danish Colony to become part of the Danish kingdom. By 1979 it has had its own local government at the inhabitants’ request.
Today the population is more than 56 thousand and has many tourists who enjoy the unique arctic climate and the outdoor activities it offers.
The country, which is environmentally friendly towards green plants because of geothermal hot spots, has been called “An Arctic Laboratory.” Indeed Danish Scientists had made it the “most completely explored arctic land in the world.” However, the land is poor in natural resources.
Fishing is Greenland’s main industry of Shrimp (peeled prawns) followed by Greenland halibut, crabs, scallops and cod.
The capital of Greenland is Nuuk, or Godthaab, which means “Good Hope,” was founded by Hans Egede. Its population of 15 thousand is made up of the Inuits, and Danes. The average temperature averages from –1 to 18 degrees centigrade, in winter there are 4.5 daylight hours while in summer there is light for 24 hours from May until August.
Greenland and Climatic Change
Greenland and it’s neighbouring Arctic Circle countries seem to be the most vulnerable countries to climatic change. But action is being taken.
In January 2008 Nuuk will be hosting the Mayors of Winter Cities Bi-annual Winter Cities Conference and Expo.
The theme “Mother of the Sea” - a local folk story, reflects the conference’s focus of Global Warming and in particular, Climatic Changes in the Arctic. Reports from various surveys in local and nearby countries reported that 75% of all indigenous adults reported that climatic change is an environmental problem for them, as many, in spite of being satisfied with their lives, and jobs, spend a significant amount of time in traditional subsistence activities, including hunting and fishing.
There are, however, mixed reactions to Climate Change, or Global Warming in Greenland. It is been seen as a local boom, not doom for the world, as Al Gore suggests in his movie, “An Inconvenient Truth.” According to an article in the Wall St Journal in July 2006, a reindeer rancher says the glacier on his property has retreated 300 metres and his reindeer now feast on wild thyme and purple Niviarsiaq flowers. And he is planning to harness his ‘new’ river for hydroelectricity.
Average temperatures in Greenland have risen by 2.7 degrees Farenheight over the last 30 years. Swans have appeared, ducks are no longer migrating, farmers are getting larger crop yields and more vegetables can be grown.
Climatic change in Greenland is not new, according to oxygen isotope samples taken from Greenland’s ice core. Apparently in 1100, when Eric the Red discovered and settled here it was warm. The following 300 years represented the height of the Norse farming era, then the Norse inexplicably vanished. Farming faded and disappeared in the 17th century, but was practised again by the Inuit farmers in the 19th century, combining Norse and modern practices. The cold spell from 1950 – 1975 slowed farming, but now it is expanding rapidly.
Greenland’s fishers are benefiting from the return of warm water loving cod, which disappear from the waters when there are long cold spells. However, the shrimp – Greenland’s largest export may disappear, because not only do they enjoy cold water, they are eaten by cod!
No matter what happens to the temperatures, the Greenlanders are determined to make the most of the benefits they bring.
Climatic Change and the International Scene
Scientific Watchdogs
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed by governments who were members of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programmed (UNEP) in 1988 to provide assessments of available scientific and technical information on climatic change. The most recent assessment was released in 2007, and can be seen on www.ipcc.ch
It has three separate working groups examining the physical science of climatic change, the effects on nature and society, and the methods of mitigation - that is, how humans can respond, adapt, survive and prosper to climactic change, and limit the effect of future warming by reducing the release of greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere. There is also a task force which is responsible for the IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme. New Zealanders David Wratt from Niwa, is a vice chair of the Climatic Change group, while Helen Plume, from the Ministry for the Environment, is a member of the Task Force.
Educating the Masses - An Inconvenient Truth – the movie we love and hate
“Humanity is sitting on a ticking time bomb. If the vast majority of the world's scientists are right, we have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced.”
No matter what we think about global warming I am sure that most of us who saw the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” with Al Gore would agree that it is worth watching, even if we tire of the many facts, figures and diagrams with tails disappearing into thin air. However he does have many points, which make us think twice about what is happening on our planet, and what we can do, in our own patches.
Life at the Edge
The National Geographic, June 2007, as well as providing some spectacular photos of the wildlife which depend on the ice, talks about the significant shrinking of ice covering the Arctic Ocean in summer, over the last 25 years. What will happen to it if the ice shrinks much more?
Fewer icebergs and thinner ice covering the sea and warming it will result in changes in food supplies and shelter.
*“Ice is part of the biology of every creature that lives in this frozen vastness” Paul Nicklen
There is also alarming information about the thawing and receding of glaciers, in both the Arctic and Antarctic areas. For it is not just a case of the ice melting, there are multiple processes, which speeds the process. The processes include;
- the white snow melts, exposing the dark ice underneath. The dark ice absorbs heat and melts, whereas the white snow reflected the heat.
- Summer meltwater forms in pools in the ice, fractures it and pours below, speeding flow.
- Thinner ice has a weaker grip on the land and can’t hold the accelerating glacier
- Warmer oceans erode floating ice at its base, weakening it and causing it to break up.
The melting season in Greenland is starting earlier and ending later. Much of the bedrock has been forced below sea level, so rising seas may follow. However “Greenland alone could push *up sea level by three feet or so over the next century, if global warming does not let up.” Tim Appenzeller
Over the last 14 years Greenland researchers have had first hand experiences of rising temperatures. The seasonal melts have started earlier and ended later, snowmobile tracks have been full of slush and instead of snowing, it has been raining.
What are the Facts about Climate Change?
Participants in the 2007 IPCC assessment summarized some climatic arguments in the Scientific American magazine.
“Scientists are confident that humans have interfered with the climate and that further human-induced climatic change is on the way. The principle driver is greenhouse gas emissions…global warming has been caused by human activities as much as 90%…the magnitude of expected change depends on what humans choose to do about greenhouse gas emissions.
Eleven of the past 12 years have been the warmest since reliable records began in around 1850.
In conclusion, the article says that what is certain – plants, animals and humans will be living with the consequences of climatic change for the next thousand years at least. But what is uncertain – we have limited knowledge of the response of natural systems and human society to the growing impacts of climatic change.
In silence Greenland’s green waters and dramatic mountains slide out of my aircraft window’s view and for a short while and we fly over the waters of Davis Straight Davis Strait towards Nunavut, Canada. But look at that! A tidal Sea of Ice! Now I bet there is an interesting story here….
References include:
Scientific American August 2007
National Geographic June 2007
www.ipcc.ch
http://mytrip.dk/eindex.html. (great pics here)
http://jensjk.dk
http://www.wintercitiesnuuk.gl
ttp://www.climatecrisis.net/aboutthefilm
http://www.danishexporters.dk
http://en.wikipedia.org
A Busman's Holiday - or What it is like at the Other side of the World
When holidaying at the other side of the world, it is only natural to compare everything with home. Indeed, there are many similarities between New Zealand and the Baltic Sea Countries – including Finland and Sweden - our dependence on the water, the influence of glacial activity and our awareness of our heritage.
We took the local ferry from Tallinn, Estonia, across the Gulf of Finland to Finland’s capital Helsinki and wandered around for awhile, climbing up the many stairs to the Lutheran Cathedral which gave us a grandstand view of the city – plainish buildings, where the old and the new seemed to blend in together. We took a boat tour, gliding upon still grey waters (not a white cap in sight) past wide waterside promenades flanked by very expensive apartments and hundreds of wooden day sailing boats, and cruised past the ports where 2 icebreakers sat, waiting for winter.
Out to the islands now, small low and smooth mounds, not mountainous as ours are - covered with small industries, houses, and past the Suomenlinna island fortress World Heritage site in Helsinki harbor. The Swedes built it in the mid-18th century, when Finland was under Swedish rule. Because of the weight of the last glaciations the Baltic Sea bed and the islands are still rising - from 1 – 8 millimetres per year in some areas. The Baltic sea is fed by much fresh water from it’s surrounding countries, which makes the salinity so low that some freshwater fish can be found in it, while others, such as shrimp, are not.
Later we boarded the Silju Symphony overnight Ferry to Stockholm, Sweden. Entered through a door on the side of the ship and almost fell into to a one street Shoppers’ Paradise. Families fed their children at the many restaurants then herded into the large stores grabbed the huge industrial trolleys to stock up on duty free beer and liquor, clothes and handbags. The nightclub rocked, old and new danced til dawn (well, there was no dark) and yours truly settled down with a cocktail in the bar at the bow to enjoy viewing the Kvarken Archipelago, another World Heritage site. Alas, all there was to see was the blue/grey waters and fog!
Breakfast time and the sky clears as we glide through the Stockholm Archipelago on the coast of Sweden. One of the largest archipelagos in the Baltic Sea it consists of approximately 24,000 islands and islets. Once many of the islands were inhabited, then people moved to the cities for work. Today holiday homes litter some of the larger islands, while closer to Stockholm people take the ferry to dine at the one of the many island restaurants and watch the cruise ships sidle by.
It was interesting to note that there was much pride taken in the fact that, many places, such as Suomenlinna island fortress, and the Kvarken Archipelago, are proudly announced as being UNESCO World Heritage sites. Finland has seven World Heritage Sites while Sweden has fourteen, including the Naval Port of Karlskrona late 17th-century European planned naval city.
So why are there so many world heritage sites here? The countries surrounding the Baltic Sea are very serious about preserving their waterways and heritage.
The World Heritage Convention plays a very important role in preserving our world for the future. It was adopted in 1972 by UNESCO (New Zealand became a signatory in 1984) and seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage considered to be of ‘outstanding value to humanity’. Its list of 851 sites of 660 cultural, 166 natural and 25 mixed properties encompasses 141 countries.
Australia has seventeen listed sites, with the Sydney Opera House being the latest edition at this year’s July conference in Christchurch.
There are three World Heritage Sites in New Zealand, where I live.
They are Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand, the Tongariro National Park, and the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands consisting of five island groups - the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island. Amongst other notable assets 126 bird species breed on these islands, including 40 seabirds of which five breed nowhere else in the world.
Because of the increasing evaluation and monitoring workload, it is very difficult for a site to get on the World Heritage list. The first step is to put forward an inventory to be considered for the Tentative List.
This year, after much public consultation, New Zealand put up eight sites. They are the Kahurangi National Park, Farewell Spit, Waikoropupu Springs and the Canaan Karst System, the Waters and Seabed of the Fiords of Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) - an addition to Te Wahipounamu - South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area, the Napier Art Deco Historic Precinct, the Kerikeri Basin Historic Precinct, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds Historic Precinct, Kermadec Islands and Marine Reserve, the Auckland Volcanic Field, and Whakarua Moutere, or the North-East Islands including Poor Knights Islands.
Now that I am back at home by our own beautiful waters, and know that New Zealand has not been slack about recognizing about it’s heritage and it’s beautiful islands I can relax. And look! There are internships, volunteer job opportunities and school projects listed on the Unesco Site! What a great way help preserve our valuable earth! This could be the beginning of a new adventure….
References include: http://www.doc.govt.nz http://whc.unesco.org, http://whc.unesco.org/en/108#work (for job oppportunities)
We took the local ferry from Tallinn, Estonia, across the Gulf of Finland to Finland’s capital Helsinki and wandered around for awhile, climbing up the many stairs to the Lutheran Cathedral which gave us a grandstand view of the city – plainish buildings, where the old and the new seemed to blend in together. We took a boat tour, gliding upon still grey waters (not a white cap in sight) past wide waterside promenades flanked by very expensive apartments and hundreds of wooden day sailing boats, and cruised past the ports where 2 icebreakers sat, waiting for winter.
Out to the islands now, small low and smooth mounds, not mountainous as ours are - covered with small industries, houses, and past the Suomenlinna island fortress World Heritage site in Helsinki harbor. The Swedes built it in the mid-18th century, when Finland was under Swedish rule. Because of the weight of the last glaciations the Baltic Sea bed and the islands are still rising - from 1 – 8 millimetres per year in some areas. The Baltic sea is fed by much fresh water from it’s surrounding countries, which makes the salinity so low that some freshwater fish can be found in it, while others, such as shrimp, are not.
Later we boarded the Silju Symphony overnight Ferry to Stockholm, Sweden. Entered through a door on the side of the ship and almost fell into to a one street Shoppers’ Paradise. Families fed their children at the many restaurants then herded into the large stores grabbed the huge industrial trolleys to stock up on duty free beer and liquor, clothes and handbags. The nightclub rocked, old and new danced til dawn (well, there was no dark) and yours truly settled down with a cocktail in the bar at the bow to enjoy viewing the Kvarken Archipelago, another World Heritage site. Alas, all there was to see was the blue/grey waters and fog!
Breakfast time and the sky clears as we glide through the Stockholm Archipelago on the coast of Sweden. One of the largest archipelagos in the Baltic Sea it consists of approximately 24,000 islands and islets. Once many of the islands were inhabited, then people moved to the cities for work. Today holiday homes litter some of the larger islands, while closer to Stockholm people take the ferry to dine at the one of the many island restaurants and watch the cruise ships sidle by.
It was interesting to note that there was much pride taken in the fact that, many places, such as Suomenlinna island fortress, and the Kvarken Archipelago, are proudly announced as being UNESCO World Heritage sites. Finland has seven World Heritage Sites while Sweden has fourteen, including the Naval Port of Karlskrona late 17th-century European planned naval city.
So why are there so many world heritage sites here? The countries surrounding the Baltic Sea are very serious about preserving their waterways and heritage.
The World Heritage Convention plays a very important role in preserving our world for the future. It was adopted in 1972 by UNESCO (New Zealand became a signatory in 1984) and seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage considered to be of ‘outstanding value to humanity’. Its list of 851 sites of 660 cultural, 166 natural and 25 mixed properties encompasses 141 countries.
Australia has seventeen listed sites, with the Sydney Opera House being the latest edition at this year’s July conference in Christchurch.
There are three World Heritage Sites in New Zealand, where I live.
They are Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand, the Tongariro National Park, and the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands consisting of five island groups - the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island. Amongst other notable assets 126 bird species breed on these islands, including 40 seabirds of which five breed nowhere else in the world.
Because of the increasing evaluation and monitoring workload, it is very difficult for a site to get on the World Heritage list. The first step is to put forward an inventory to be considered for the Tentative List.
This year, after much public consultation, New Zealand put up eight sites. They are the Kahurangi National Park, Farewell Spit, Waikoropupu Springs and the Canaan Karst System, the Waters and Seabed of the Fiords of Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) - an addition to Te Wahipounamu - South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area, the Napier Art Deco Historic Precinct, the Kerikeri Basin Historic Precinct, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds Historic Precinct, Kermadec Islands and Marine Reserve, the Auckland Volcanic Field, and Whakarua Moutere, or the North-East Islands including Poor Knights Islands.
Now that I am back at home by our own beautiful waters, and know that New Zealand has not been slack about recognizing about it’s heritage and it’s beautiful islands I can relax. And look! There are internships, volunteer job opportunities and school projects listed on the Unesco Site! What a great way help preserve our valuable earth! This could be the beginning of a new adventure….
References include: http://www.doc.govt.nz http://whc.unesco.org, http://whc.unesco.org/en/108#work (for job oppportunities)
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Passionate about Antarctica? Exciting Opportunity for Young People !
A new scheme for young New Zealanders to work with an environmental team in Antarctica has been launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary Scott Base on the continent.
Sir Blake’s son, James, welcomes the scheme which is a partnership between Antarctica New Zealand and the Sir Peter Blake Trust. The 20 year old believes that his Dad would have been very excited about this programme in the land which he was so passionate about.
Each year, during the summer months the Antarctic Youth Ambassador would work with Antarctica New Zealand in areas such as the International Antarctica Centre in Christchurch, or at various locations in Antarctica.
Applications are open now until May 4, 2007 for people aged between 18 and 25 years. For more information and to apply, go to www.sirpeterblaketrust.org or www.antarcticanz.govt.nz.
Sir Blake’s son, James, welcomes the scheme which is a partnership between Antarctica New Zealand and the Sir Peter Blake Trust. The 20 year old believes that his Dad would have been very excited about this programme in the land which he was so passionate about.
Each year, during the summer months the Antarctic Youth Ambassador would work with Antarctica New Zealand in areas such as the International Antarctica Centre in Christchurch, or at various locations in Antarctica.
Applications are open now until May 4, 2007 for people aged between 18 and 25 years. For more information and to apply, go to www.sirpeterblaketrust.org or www.antarcticanz.govt.nz.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Who does New Zealand’s Minister for the Environment work for?
New Zealand…. or Japan??
According to a press release just posted on the world conservation seashepherd.org website, it is suspected that NZ Minister for the Environment Chris Carter, is not telling anyone where the Japanese whaling fleet are illegally slaughtering whales – because Japan told him not to!!
Two ships from Sea Shepherd are patrolling the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary at this minute. Unlike Greenpeace, they are not there to physically protest whaling, but to “enforce international conservation law against illegal whaling activities in accordance with the principles established for intervention by non-governmental organizations enshrined in the United Nations World Charter for Nature.”
The organization is desperate to find out the where the Japanese Whaling fleet is. In fact, it is offering $USD25,000 to anyone who can supply them the co-ordinates. See their website www.seashepherd.org.
Yes, it’s true that in December last year Chris Carter led a deputation of 27 countries, including Australia and the United States, in a diplomatic protest at the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, but absolutely nothing has happened. Was this a ploy of some sort?
So what is going on? Why is Chris Carter taking orders from Japan, allowing them to illegally and commercially fish in Antarctica’s Whale Sanctuary?
I want to know! We all want to know! Can you shed some light on this?
And what are other countries doing? Australia, for example? Are they working for Japan too?
If you are as mystified as I am, about Chris Carter’s stance, why not email Chris on ccarter@ministers.govt.nz and ask him?. Oh, and let me know the outcome, would you?
Rae of Sunshine
According to a press release just posted on the world conservation seashepherd.org website, it is suspected that NZ Minister for the Environment Chris Carter, is not telling anyone where the Japanese whaling fleet are illegally slaughtering whales – because Japan told him not to!!
Two ships from Sea Shepherd are patrolling the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary at this minute. Unlike Greenpeace, they are not there to physically protest whaling, but to “enforce international conservation law against illegal whaling activities in accordance with the principles established for intervention by non-governmental organizations enshrined in the United Nations World Charter for Nature.”
The organization is desperate to find out the where the Japanese Whaling fleet is. In fact, it is offering $USD25,000 to anyone who can supply them the co-ordinates. See their website www.seashepherd.org.
Yes, it’s true that in December last year Chris Carter led a deputation of 27 countries, including Australia and the United States, in a diplomatic protest at the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, but absolutely nothing has happened. Was this a ploy of some sort?
So what is going on? Why is Chris Carter taking orders from Japan, allowing them to illegally and commercially fish in Antarctica’s Whale Sanctuary?
I want to know! We all want to know! Can you shed some light on this?
And what are other countries doing? Australia, for example? Are they working for Japan too?
If you are as mystified as I am, about Chris Carter’s stance, why not email Chris on ccarter@ministers.govt.nz and ask him?. Oh, and let me know the outcome, would you?
Rae of Sunshine
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Let’s keep our Freedom of Speech!!
New Zealand Herald item - “Renegade blogsite holding CYFS workers to account”
At long last people are fighting back! They are damning CYFS for removing children from their families without proper research or consideration of the circumstances - often with tragic results.
The renegade blogsite details heart wrenching stories of what CYFS people have been doing to our children– even naming and graphically describing the people involved and their irresponsible behaviour.
CYFS’ lawyers are working to shut the site down - a move similar to a successful one in America when disgruntled CYFS ‘clients’ posted their grievances on line. (Isn’t this against their Bill of Rights – amendment 1 - Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…..)
But hey, what about respecting the freedom of speech in New Zealand? Would the closing down of this blog mean the beginning of the end of the right to speak?
After all, blogs are private, not public, aren’t they?
Why can’t we write what we like? Just as we email, talk over the phone and converse with our associates?
I believe, that in spite of the subject matter, let the freedom to write and speak what we wish always remain with us.
So, let’s fight against this social injustice! No one should have the right of ability close a blog down just because they disagree with the content. Especially one as important as this!
What can we do to keep our social right to the freedom of speech?
Who are the best people to contact?
Are they the Prime Minister, the local MP, the Children’s Commissioner, The Communications Minister, the local paper?
Are you doing anything to prevent this blog from being closed down? Or anything else to preserve our freedom to speak and write? I look forward to your comments! Please post them! Let us know what you are doing!
Rae
At long last people are fighting back! They are damning CYFS for removing children from their families without proper research or consideration of the circumstances - often with tragic results.
The renegade blogsite details heart wrenching stories of what CYFS people have been doing to our children– even naming and graphically describing the people involved and their irresponsible behaviour.
CYFS’ lawyers are working to shut the site down - a move similar to a successful one in America when disgruntled CYFS ‘clients’ posted their grievances on line. (Isn’t this against their Bill of Rights – amendment 1 - Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…..)
But hey, what about respecting the freedom of speech in New Zealand? Would the closing down of this blog mean the beginning of the end of the right to speak?
After all, blogs are private, not public, aren’t they?
Why can’t we write what we like? Just as we email, talk over the phone and converse with our associates?
I believe, that in spite of the subject matter, let the freedom to write and speak what we wish always remain with us.
So, let’s fight against this social injustice! No one should have the right of ability close a blog down just because they disagree with the content. Especially one as important as this!
What can we do to keep our social right to the freedom of speech?
Who are the best people to contact?
Are they the Prime Minister, the local MP, the Children’s Commissioner, The Communications Minister, the local paper?
Are you doing anything to prevent this blog from being closed down? Or anything else to preserve our freedom to speak and write? I look forward to your comments! Please post them! Let us know what you are doing!
Rae
Monday, January 22, 2007
DO YOU REALIZE THAT ANTARCTICA’S ICONIC TREASURES COULD DISAPPEAR WITHOUT OUR HELP?
Remember reading with fascination the success and demise of Sir Robert Scott when he reached the South Pole? And the triumph of Sir Ernest Shackleton when, after his ship ‘Endurance’ was broken up by Antarctica’s formidable ice, he rescued all his crew from certain death?
Today there is considerable interest worldwide, to visit the Huts of these heroic explorers on site. Especially as it's so easy to travel to Antarctica.
However, to protect the huts, much preservation work needs to be done. $16 million’s worth, to be exact. New Zealand Government and the Antarctica Heritage Trust have contributed $7 million, and Prime Minister Helen Clark has asked British Prime Minister Tony Blair to cough up the rest. But so far, no go.
But then, why should Britain cough up?
Could it be because British born Scott, for the first time ever, contributed a massive amount of scientific, meteorological, biological and geological information about Antarctica?
Or maybe because Anglo/Irish born Shackleton explored a vast area of Antarctica, and, against everything that Antarctic threw at him, ensured that his crew came home?
Does it matter that the beginning of the 20th century, Britain’s Most Heroic Age of Exploration was focussed on Antarctica?
On 1910 the world will be celebrating the centenary of Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition. There will be considerable attention on Antarctica; in particular Scott’s hut at Cape Evans, from where he and his team departed for their final, fateful journey.
What would happen if, in spite of the considerable preservation effects of the freezing Antarctica weather, Scott’s and Shackleton’s huts disintegrated to piles of rubble?
What would our children, and their children think? That Britain does not care about its heroes??? That Scott’s and Shackleton’s work was not valued? That role models are not important?
I feel so strongly about this - we must keep our heroes and historical icons alive for our children to benefit from in the future.
How can we make Britain sit up and listen?
Here are my suggestions – I am sure you have more!
Write to PM Tony Blair
Write to the World Monument fund – they are on the web
Write to the British High Commission.
Tell everybody – in fact, pass this message on!
Post your ideas on this site! Lets get action! Preserve the huts on Antarctica! Start now! Tell me what you are going do! We’ll get Britain on board yet …..
Today there is considerable interest worldwide, to visit the Huts of these heroic explorers on site. Especially as it's so easy to travel to Antarctica.
However, to protect the huts, much preservation work needs to be done. $16 million’s worth, to be exact. New Zealand Government and the Antarctica Heritage Trust have contributed $7 million, and Prime Minister Helen Clark has asked British Prime Minister Tony Blair to cough up the rest. But so far, no go.
But then, why should Britain cough up?
Could it be because British born Scott, for the first time ever, contributed a massive amount of scientific, meteorological, biological and geological information about Antarctica?
Or maybe because Anglo/Irish born Shackleton explored a vast area of Antarctica, and, against everything that Antarctic threw at him, ensured that his crew came home?
Does it matter that the beginning of the 20th century, Britain’s Most Heroic Age of Exploration was focussed on Antarctica?
On 1910 the world will be celebrating the centenary of Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition. There will be considerable attention on Antarctica; in particular Scott’s hut at Cape Evans, from where he and his team departed for their final, fateful journey.
What would happen if, in spite of the considerable preservation effects of the freezing Antarctica weather, Scott’s and Shackleton’s huts disintegrated to piles of rubble?
What would our children, and their children think? That Britain does not care about its heroes??? That Scott’s and Shackleton’s work was not valued? That role models are not important?
I feel so strongly about this - we must keep our heroes and historical icons alive for our children to benefit from in the future.
How can we make Britain sit up and listen?
Here are my suggestions – I am sure you have more!
Write to PM Tony Blair
Write to the World Monument fund – they are on the web
Write to the British High Commission.
Tell everybody – in fact, pass this message on!
Post your ideas on this site! Lets get action! Preserve the huts on Antarctica! Start now! Tell me what you are going do! We’ll get Britain on board yet …..
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
A New Years Request….can you help me pleeeeease???
Hi, thank you for reading this post. Here is my dilemma, and it might be yours too.
You see, like many of us, my resolutions for 2007 went well for the first few days, then things started turning to custard……
For example, mine were to get out of bed early, go to the gym, swim or walk, then do all my day’s tasks!!! Somehow, now that summer has, finally, arrived, it all is a bit too hard…
I had the same issue a couple of years ago. All of a sudden somewhere on a shelf in my brain, I remembered that back then, I created a solution. That is, I created a special ‘Weekly Goals Achievement Book.’ When I used it back then, I found it most revealing.
Let me explain. It’s not just a book for writing down one’s goals, as we are all told to do. Oh, no, this book has something much more beneficial. It asks us to write down how long it takes to complete a task! That way, we can find out not only what we have completed, but how long it took to do it, and at the end of the week, how much, in time terms, did we do! Now this could be rather …er…. revealing to some of us who enjoy long leisurely coffees, cigarettes, and chats without even mentioning the irrelevant (but necessary, of course) emails which Must Be Responded To Immediately.
I was so excited at how useful this book is for managing one’s time that I printed a whole lot off! They are available to purchase from my website www.broadlyspeaking.co.nz.
Now this is where you come in. I need some feedback.
To this end I would like to send you the book, free of charge, of course, to test, and let me know how useful it is for you. Oh, and what you think of the little sayings on each page. Would you mind? You may post the comments on this blog, so that others can see the feedback or just email me. If you are happy to do so, please post, or email your address at rae@broadlyspeaking.co.nz and I’ll send you a copy. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
Rae of Sunshine xx
You see, like many of us, my resolutions for 2007 went well for the first few days, then things started turning to custard……
For example, mine were to get out of bed early, go to the gym, swim or walk, then do all my day’s tasks!!! Somehow, now that summer has, finally, arrived, it all is a bit too hard…
I had the same issue a couple of years ago. All of a sudden somewhere on a shelf in my brain, I remembered that back then, I created a solution. That is, I created a special ‘Weekly Goals Achievement Book.’ When I used it back then, I found it most revealing.
Let me explain. It’s not just a book for writing down one’s goals, as we are all told to do. Oh, no, this book has something much more beneficial. It asks us to write down how long it takes to complete a task! That way, we can find out not only what we have completed, but how long it took to do it, and at the end of the week, how much, in time terms, did we do! Now this could be rather …er…. revealing to some of us who enjoy long leisurely coffees, cigarettes, and chats without even mentioning the irrelevant (but necessary, of course) emails which Must Be Responded To Immediately.
I was so excited at how useful this book is for managing one’s time that I printed a whole lot off! They are available to purchase from my website www.broadlyspeaking.co.nz.
Now this is where you come in. I need some feedback.
To this end I would like to send you the book, free of charge, of course, to test, and let me know how useful it is for you. Oh, and what you think of the little sayings on each page. Would you mind? You may post the comments on this blog, so that others can see the feedback or just email me. If you are happy to do so, please post, or email your address at rae@broadlyspeaking.co.nz and I’ll send you a copy. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
Rae of Sunshine xx
Great Barrier Island – Paradise going….going……or???
A bush clad hilly cloud covered island, hidden homes, walking tracks, beach baches, rusty cars by the roadside…Whites sandy beaches, paradise coloured seas, shipwrecks, fish, dolphins, shellfish, long lines, long haired inhabitants, art, island hours……
In the 1800’s three white families joined the Maoris on Great Barrier Island, the Sandersons, the Blackwells and the Medlands and took up farming. Today beaches, roads and other landmarks are named after them. Forestry, whaling and mining industries thrived for many years. Now the kauri dams and the whaling station, no longer used, are falling into disrepair, and the farmland, much of which is slowly reverting back to forest, signal signs of change. The rusty neglected cars now pile up in a field, and current car owners are subjected to frequent Wof and Registration blitzes by the Auckland City Council. The kiwi style baches are few now – replaced by new affluent holiday homes, the designs inclining towards a concession to the island style. There are very few sections below $400,000. The locals, forced off by laws prohibiting dole bludgers living there with no prospect of work, and enticed by the high prices overseas investors are paying for their properties, now live elsewhere. The resident population has declined to 700 from over 1000 a few years ago. Most of the island is publicly owned, and the majority by overseas interests. The Department of Conservation administers around 60% of the whole island.
Today ‘s residents are business people; artists, local services and amenities providers, land and mussel farmers. Tourism is growing. There are plenty of choices of accommodation - luxury to back packers. Conservation issues are important – preservation of the beaches, encouragement of native bird life, the methods to eradicate predators. Improvements are being made to the walking tracks, beach areas and camping grounds which have excellent toilet facilities. Lively, heated debates abound as the locals work through the Auckland CC and DOC's plans for the Island. How to get rid of the rats? Feral cats – not wanted, but don’t pet cats prey on birds as well?
Local personalities, such as sailor, conservationist and politician Tony Bouzaid dance between the authorities and the islanders, working towards creating an eco friendly vision of the Island for future generations.
While Tryphena, the settlement in the Southern part of the Island looks as if it hasn’t and won’t change quickly, there are some very exciting prospects at Port Fitzroy, in the north which will bring considerable economical benefits to the island.
Around 14 years ago, Tony and Mal Bouzaid purchased the nearly derelict Fitzroy House and surrounding land. They rebuilt the house, and set about creating a sanctuary for endangered native plants and bird life, including the North Island Robin, which had not been seen on the Island for many years.. In August 2005, Tony and Mal were awarded the Conservation Achievement Award in Biodiversity Protection and Restoration by the Minister of Conservation the Hon Chris Carter, for their work.
Today the property offers visitors unique educational and recreational experiences for everyone.
Northwards, over the hill in Karaka Bay the Sir Edmond Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre has established its Marine Centre. Offering a huge variety of water based learning activities for everyone, the Centre will bring thousands of young and old to the island for 35 weeks of each year.
In spite of the lengthy consultation processes between governing authorities and the island’s eclectic population Great Barrier Island, I believe, has a unique and exciting future. Yes, there will be hundreds of expensive new homes with absentee owners. Yes, the population will swell 10fold every summer holiday. But there won’t be any destructive pests. Now go and stroll along those well maintained walking tracks though the regenerated native forests over the hills, marvel at the variety or plants, and listen to the kakas, robins, kingfishers, warblers – and isn’t that a…. ??? A balanced and lush ecosystem, Great Barrier Island is, a treasure for future generations. Paradise going? I don’t think so. Hmm, shall I go paddling at the clear seawater or kayaking? Oh look, there are hundreds of those brown teal ducks – weren’t they endangered once?
For the best information about Great Barrier Island get the brochure “Great Barrier Island Aotea – Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park” from the Department of Conservation.
In the 1800’s three white families joined the Maoris on Great Barrier Island, the Sandersons, the Blackwells and the Medlands and took up farming. Today beaches, roads and other landmarks are named after them. Forestry, whaling and mining industries thrived for many years. Now the kauri dams and the whaling station, no longer used, are falling into disrepair, and the farmland, much of which is slowly reverting back to forest, signal signs of change. The rusty neglected cars now pile up in a field, and current car owners are subjected to frequent Wof and Registration blitzes by the Auckland City Council. The kiwi style baches are few now – replaced by new affluent holiday homes, the designs inclining towards a concession to the island style. There are very few sections below $400,000. The locals, forced off by laws prohibiting dole bludgers living there with no prospect of work, and enticed by the high prices overseas investors are paying for their properties, now live elsewhere. The resident population has declined to 700 from over 1000 a few years ago. Most of the island is publicly owned, and the majority by overseas interests. The Department of Conservation administers around 60% of the whole island.
Today ‘s residents are business people; artists, local services and amenities providers, land and mussel farmers. Tourism is growing. There are plenty of choices of accommodation - luxury to back packers. Conservation issues are important – preservation of the beaches, encouragement of native bird life, the methods to eradicate predators. Improvements are being made to the walking tracks, beach areas and camping grounds which have excellent toilet facilities. Lively, heated debates abound as the locals work through the Auckland CC and DOC's plans for the Island. How to get rid of the rats? Feral cats – not wanted, but don’t pet cats prey on birds as well?
Local personalities, such as sailor, conservationist and politician Tony Bouzaid dance between the authorities and the islanders, working towards creating an eco friendly vision of the Island for future generations.
While Tryphena, the settlement in the Southern part of the Island looks as if it hasn’t and won’t change quickly, there are some very exciting prospects at Port Fitzroy, in the north which will bring considerable economical benefits to the island.
Around 14 years ago, Tony and Mal Bouzaid purchased the nearly derelict Fitzroy House and surrounding land. They rebuilt the house, and set about creating a sanctuary for endangered native plants and bird life, including the North Island Robin, which had not been seen on the Island for many years.. In August 2005, Tony and Mal were awarded the Conservation Achievement Award in Biodiversity Protection and Restoration by the Minister of Conservation the Hon Chris Carter, for their work.
Today the property offers visitors unique educational and recreational experiences for everyone.
Northwards, over the hill in Karaka Bay the Sir Edmond Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre has established its Marine Centre. Offering a huge variety of water based learning activities for everyone, the Centre will bring thousands of young and old to the island for 35 weeks of each year.
In spite of the lengthy consultation processes between governing authorities and the island’s eclectic population Great Barrier Island, I believe, has a unique and exciting future. Yes, there will be hundreds of expensive new homes with absentee owners. Yes, the population will swell 10fold every summer holiday. But there won’t be any destructive pests. Now go and stroll along those well maintained walking tracks though the regenerated native forests over the hills, marvel at the variety or plants, and listen to the kakas, robins, kingfishers, warblers – and isn’t that a…. ??? A balanced and lush ecosystem, Great Barrier Island is, a treasure for future generations. Paradise going? I don’t think so. Hmm, shall I go paddling at the clear seawater or kayaking? Oh look, there are hundreds of those brown teal ducks – weren’t they endangered once?
For the best information about Great Barrier Island get the brochure “Great Barrier Island Aotea – Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park” from the Department of Conservation.
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