Meteorological and climate change themes at the 2010 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases, N Wilson (nick.wilson@otago.ac.nz)1, D Lush2, M G Baker1
This report outlines selected highlights of presentations that took place at the 2010 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
15-16 November 2010
New Zealand National e-Conference
The first decade of the 21st Century has confirmed the warnings of the previous fifty years –the historical development path of increased consumption of finite resources is not sustainable. Air, water, energy, soils, forests, fish. Over exploitation enabled by new technology and emboldened by new economies has brought the world’s resources, ecosystems, and even the climate to the tipping point. The benefits of profligate energy use, new technology and economic growth are obvious, but may be undermined by costs in degradation of social fabric and environmental viability. But change is happening. The Signs of Change Conference will show-case examples of fundamental change in a wide variety of contexts
13th August, 2010 at 12-1pm (New Zealand Time)
Please see attached flyer for webinar link in procedures.
Podcast: Prof Alistair Woodward – Put me back on my bike (Quicktime movie, 93 MB)
Podcast: Prof Alistair Woodward – Put me back on my bike: questions (Quicktime movie, 47 MB)
A video podcast of the NZC4SC seminar held on the 27/05/10 is now available. Read More
Podcast: Prof Bob Lloyd – Transition to RE – Can it be made in time (Quicktime movie, 134 MB)
Podcast: Prof Lloyd – Transition to RE - Questions (Quicktime movie, 72 MB)
Professor Bob Lloyd is from Australia, he came to New Zealand in 2002 after having worked for the Australian Coo-operative Research Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE), based at Murdoch University in Perth. His current research interests at Otago University, where he is the Director of Energy Studies and Associate Professor in the Physics Department, lie in energy conservation in residential housing and energy management including world energy resources and peak oil.
Existing sources of energy such as fossil fuels and uranium are finite and so will eventually be depleted. If we want sustainable energy, the energy MUST come from renewable sources. The talk will examine if this can be done in time with existing resources. The talk will also look at the main problems, namely that our existing financial system is based upon continued economic growth and economic growth is based on a cheap and expanding energy supply.
The Wellington City Council is holding a public meeting on Wednesday, 21 April to discuss the Council’s draft 2010 Climate Change Action Plan. The meeting is being held in Committee Room 1 at the Council offices from 12pm-2pm. Come along if you want to ask questions or learn more about the Council’s proposed response to climate change.
Go here for a copy of the plan.
A series of seminars co-hosted by the Institute of Policy Studies, the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute, and the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington
The Wellington City Council is now consulting on its draft 2010 Climate Change Action Plan. The Plan will guide the city’s response to climate change over the coming years. The following site contains links to the draft Plan and information on the consultation process http://www.wellington.govt.nz/haveyoursay/publicinput/climatechange.html.
Please take the time to review the draft Plan and provide feedback to the Council. We want to know your views on whether we are focusing on the right areas and priority initiatives. We want the Climate Change Action Plan to be a shared vision for Wellington so feedback and input from the community and key stakeholders is important to us.
You can also give an oral submission to the Council by indicating your interest to do so in your submission. Consultation on the draft Plan closes 10 May at 5pm.
Friday 16th April, 12.15-1.30pm.
Nordmeyer Lecture Theatre, Level D
University of Otago, 23a Mien Street,Wellington
Professor Bob Lloyd is from Australia, he came to New Zealand in 2002 after having worked for the Australian Coo-operative Research Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE), based at Murdoch University in Perth. Read More
(Quicktime movie, 131 MB)
(Quicktime movie, 39 MB)
Two lectures were held one in Wellington (March 30) and one in Auckland. Guest speakers were Dr Eric Martinot and Zach Rissel from the Wellington City Council. These lectures were well received. Links to podcasts from those lectures are attached above. Copies of the PDF’s are attached below.
Dr. Martinot is the lead author of the widely-used REN21 Renewables Global Status Report and a prominent international expert on renewable energy. He is senior research director at the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies in Tokyo, teaching and research associate of Tsinghua University in Beijing, and teaching and research fellow at Victoria University of Wellington.
Wellington Flyer
Auckland Flyer
Zach Rissel: Influencing the transition to renewable energy.
Dr E Martinot: Local renewable energy policies and actions.
It’s a collection of research findings, stories and tools exploring five key areas of capacity required for New Zealand’s long-term success. It covers innovative research undertaken with businesses, across policy sectors, communities and individuals and was funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.
Here are two recently released OECD review papers on cities and climate change action:
- OECD (2009) Cities, Climate Change and Multilevel Governance
- OECD (2009) Competitive Cities and Climate Change
This paper briefly summarises the likely impacts of climate change on health, globally, but focuses on adaptive measures that might be undertaken in New Zealand.
Here’s the programme you’ve all been waiting for:
Agenda for day
Tuesday 16 February, 23 A mein St Newtown, Wellington.
There will be a host of speakers, a variety of perspectives and still plenty of time for discussion.
Link to register
Email received from Chris Cameron, Wellington City Council.
The recommendations contained within the report of the Climate Change office were passed unanimously by Wellington city council committee on the 3rd of Dec. Read More
