Climate
New Thinking
More scientists needed to fight global warming
If New Zealand is to achieve the Government’s stated aim of becoming a carbon neutral economy, it will need many more scientists investigating ways of reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture and other economic activities in this country, says AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andrew West.
Autumn Climate Outlook
Cooler conditions are likely during April over much of New Zealand, but conditions for autumn as a whole are likely to be about average, according to the latest predictions from the NIWA National Climate Centre.
Global warming clash builds up its own heat
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research is standing by its prediction that global warming will cause more floods of the type that devastated Northland.
Researchers explore climate change future
How will the increased greenhouse gas emissions affect our future climate? Can we identify ‘tipping points’ beyond which damage caused by climate change becomes extreme or irreversible? Landcare Research scientists are starting new approaches including long-term collection of data, which they say are crucial to the quest for answers
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
Think 'life cycle' rather than 'food miles' Landcare Research advises food exporters and consumers responding to Stern's Report on the Economics of Climate Change. New Zealand's exports often have lower total energy costs than local suppliers. Science-backed responses are already helping businesses thrive in environmentally sensitive markets.
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
It is only water, but ...
A new State-of-the-art centre, developed by GNS Science and Victoria University, will study ice for clues to climate change.
Time capsule helps predict climate change
Landcare Research geomorphologists are leading research in the Gisborne district’s Waipaoa catchment, one of two key sites in the world chosen by the international science community for studying potential climate change impacts.
East Coast time capsule helps predict climate change effects
A unique “outdoor laboratory” is the focus of increasing international interest from researchers keen to learn from the past to predict how landscapes might respond to future climate change. Landcare Research scientist Mike Marden is leading a team that is also uncovering vital clues to help New Zealand manage erosion.
Scientists fear results of collapsed ice shelf
The Ross Ice Shelf, a raft of ice the size of France, could collapse quickly, triggering a dramatic rise in sea levels, GNS Science scientists warn.
Ice Age calling card found off South Island
NIWA scientists have found evidence to suggest giant icebergs, like those currently south of New Zealand,
once drifted by the east coast.
once drifted by the east coast.
Antarctic holds clues to future
How much and how quickly will Antarctica's ice shelves melt as the global warming noose tightens, and with what consequences? That's the question asked by GNS scientist Tim Naish and others as they tap into the 100m-thick Ross Ice Shelf.
NZ world leader in pastoral greenhouse gas research
CRIs AgResearch and NIWA are members of the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium which is producing world-leading research on greenhouse gases.
Possible dry summer poses risks
NIWA said yesterday the chances of a weak El Nino pattern this spring are 50 per cent, double the usual probability. This could pose problems for farmers without access to irrigation water.
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.
