Climate
New Thinking
Researchers explore climate change future
How will the increased greenhouse gas emissions affect our future climate?
Kiwi to head world commission
New Zealand climate scientist, Dr Jim Salinger, of the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has been elected President of the Commission for Agricultural Meteorology of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Stern report highlights opportunities for NZ exporters
Year 2030: NZ forecasts for climate change, pandemics.…
What’s coming up? Over the next 20-50 years, how will New Zealand respond to pressures such as climate change, pandemics, oil shocks and changing trade barriers? Landcare Research has released potential scenarios – and possible steps we’ll need to take.
New Science
New power source right under our feet?
A city the size of Christchurch could be powered by generating geothermal electricity from the heat in our disused oil and gas wells, reckons GNS Science. There are over 300 old wells with the heat to become significant generators. What’s more, many more old wells could be directly tapped for their geothermal riches.
Non-plastic fantastic
Our world is hugely dependant on petroleum-based plastics and other non-renewable materials. But renewable “biofibres” such as wood, flax or hemp could take over – and sooner than many think. Scion, a Crown Research Institute, wants to realise products that are made with less energy, do the job at least as well, and ultimately don’t grow the landfill.
