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Here's another selection of news and articles and bits and pieces of interest from around and about, and here and there, eg:

from here

Beneath the Surface: NZ's freshwater fish - victims of climate change and habitat destruction. Green MP Conservation spokesperson Metiria Turei speaks at a public meeting in Prebbleton on Monday (see events diary). Her talk will focus on threats to New Zealand's freshwater fish - particularly eels (tuna), but she is also keen to exchange ideas on conservation and environmental issues in general. Also participating: local Lake Ellesmere Fisherman Clem Smith, and NIWA Scientist and eel expert Don Jellyman.
'Longfin' will also screen. It's a 24-minute film from Lindsey Davidson and Melissa Salpietra, former students of Otago University's Natural History and Filmmaking Program. All welcome. The Waihora Ellesmere Trust is host for the meeting.

WEA & Canterbury University joint lectures: the Election Year series: (see events diary) lectures, questions and discussion on democracy and the NZ general election. Delivered the same day at both the WEA (54 Gloucester St) and the University of Canterbury (UC). (UC venues on enrolment). WEA lectures: 1.30 – 3.00 pm, UC lectures: 7.00 – 8.30  pm., 5 Tuesdays and 5 Thursdays, beginning Tuesday, 19 August. (Fees are the same at each venue but you need to enrol at the venue you wish to attend. Individual lectures: $5, Course fee: $40). (see also events dairy). more UC info here and more WEA info here.

650 newspapers on-line from your library. (11 August, CCC).

Lincoln research student's questionaire: Assessing the role of agricultural impacts on canterbury streams and rivers. (Ecan).

Local body politicians interviewed: Rik Tindall, ECan, & Yani Johansen, CCC. (SOC - Sustainable Otautahi Christchurch - August/September newsletter).

Re: How many light bulbs do we need to change? (4 August, John Peet, Engineers for Social Rresponsibility).

Our country of profligacy: living within our means is much better... Just ask the Norwegians. (Gareth Morgan, 16 August, NZ Listener).

Danish water quality expert: 'Time bomb' threatens NZ lakes. (13 August, NZ Herald).

A Nats win will see wind dropped for gas plants. (15 August, Dominion Post).

Backyard turbines in energy proposal. (14 August, NZ Herald).

AgResearch aims to spread GE animals around NZ (7 August, Green Party).

Forty dairy farms risk water pollution charges. (14 August, Wairarapa Times-Age).

Clutha communities prepare to stop dams. (15 August, Otago Daily Times).

Orari-Opihi fishery agreement close to completion. (14 August, Timaru Herald).

Concerns raised about Central Otago's Oteake park (14 August, Otago Daily Times).

Didymo: Whitebaiters urged to "Check, Clean, Dry". (11 August, DOC).

Slow recovery for some whale species, still far to go. (13 August, DOC).

Auckland: Alarm grows over city's lost heritage sites. (13 August, NZ herald).

Auckland: Survey: more than two thirds of Aucklanders are 'concerned' or 'very concerned' about the environment in the region. (12 August, Auckland Regional Council).

Archeological loss irreplaceable: guilty plea: Historic Places Trust prosecutes Whakatane District Council. (6 August, Pouhere Taonga/NZ Historic Places Trust).

Manawatu River: climate change erosion modelling presents stark findings. (11 August, Landcare Research).

A new online directory: which companies are and are not clean and environmentally friendly. (11 August, NZ Herald).

Greenpeace: Fish: the don't eat list. (11 August, NZ Herald).

A voice for Kiwi cyclists: Cycling Advocates' Network: CAN's 9-point plan for cycling safety (Sign the petition - it'll take about 4 secs. Maybe even 3).

Winning shot: a solitary Salvin’s albatross, navigating its flight a few well-judged inches from the ocean’s surface, tip of one wing breaking the water, expresses the perfection of the albatross in a way words fail to. Southern Seabird Solutions Trust photo competition. (7 August, WWF - NZ).

Wellington: eg, How far does a sneeze travel?... Science fair to showcase young talent. (13 August, NIWA)

Job Offer: Sustainable Wanaka General Manager. Replacement sought for the present (on maternity leave) general manager. Initially part-time but with the opportunity to develop to full-time appointment (depending on future circumstances of the incumbent and extent to which the successful applicant can help grow the activities of Sustainable Wanaka). Desired qualities of the replacement include complementary skills to the incumbent and a demonstrated ability to work in a small team.
Enquiries: megan@sustainablewanaka.co.nz or ph. Megan 03-443 5057. Applications close Friday, 29 August.

Submissions sought: proposed amendments to the Canterbury RegionalPassenger Transport Plan 2006. Till Tuesday, 2 September.(ECan).

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Canterbury organic course starts in October. (August, Organic Pathways).
  
  
• Public asked for views on Sumner beach parks (5 August, CCC).
  
  
• Christchurch South-west Area Plan consultation to start soon. (7 August, CCC).
  
  
• Wanted: Waste Advisory Board nominations. Before 7 September. (Ministry for the Environment).
  
  
• Competition for young people (under 20): Make a 5 minute film about sustainability. Entry deadline 19 September.

• Nominations (till end of October) for this year's Roger Award:
  Organised by CAFCA. info here.    
  

open now: ECan tree planting, fencing, biodiversity fund  
Landowners or groups working to protect and enhance native biodiversity in Canterbury have until the end of August to apply for contestable grants of up to $5,000 through Environment Canterbury’s Environment Enhancement Fund: more here (Applications close end of August).

• DOC Canterbury: Conservation Management Strategy review
  The Department of Conservation’s Canterbury Conservancy wants your help to develop the direction of its conservation work over the next 10 years. To find out more and to contribute: click here

& from there

• China takes a lead: a recent report named China as the world's leading producer of renewable energy. (August, Celsias).
  
  
• UK: Forget panic at the pumps. Britain set to lose nearly half its electricity in six years. (10 June, the Daily Mail).
  
  

• UK: The Prince of Wales: genetic modification of food...could cause the biggest disaster environmentally of all time. (14 August, Sydney Morning Herald). And: Outspoken Charles in his own words. (13 August, Times onLine).
  

• US: Flying stinks - especially for the airlines. (10 June, Wall Street Journal).
  

• US housing slump 'worst since 1930s'. (7 August, the Guardian).
  

• US: Shoulder Season: by James Kunstler. Comment on current events by the author of The Long Emergency. (11 August).
  

• Shell Oil rebuked for green wash ad. (13 August, the Independent).
  
  
• Words of Warming. Tim Flannery, author of The Weather Makers, looks at the latest books on the climate change crisis, and sizes up their solutions, from nuclear energy to genetically engineered trees. (9 August, The Guardian).
  
  
• Australia: Rising costs fuel economic stress. (11 August, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• Australia: more than 200 times the safe limit: toxic pollution in Blue Mountains world heritage area. (14 August, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• Australia: Murray River and Coorong Wetlands report ignored: Everything has dramatically worsened. It is so far off the scale ecologically that it is a crisis. That's not overstating it at all. (12 August, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• Oceans on the precipice, ie totally screwed. (13 August, Planetsave.com).
  
  
• Hard to swallow: Polar bear shark theory. (13 August, NZ Herald).
  
  
• The impossible task of cutting plastic out of your life. (5 August, Earthfirst).
  
  
• Scientist warns: 'Peak metal' problems loom. (7 August, the National, Abu Dhabi).
  
  
• Learn to walk lightly. (14 August, Down to Earth).
  
  
• The rising success of car sharing. (August, Celsias).
  
  
• New technology: Sunflower solar concentrator deemed safe for rooftops.(5 August, C/Net News.com).
  
  
• Elektrobay EV charging stations are up in London. (14 August, EcoGeek).
  
  
• Top five plants that inspire new technology. (4 August, CleanTechnica.com).
  
  

• Belgium: One of the world's largest flowers, stinks of rotting meat or rancid cheese and looks very much like a giant penis: Giant smelly flower puts on sex show. (8 August, Dominion Post/Reuters).
  

• Book: Alt Fiber: 25 Projects For Knitting Green With Bamboo, Soy, Hemp and More. Eco-knitting for the adventurous. (14 August, Treehugger).
  

• Want to be inspired? Watch this: Greening the Desert. (5 minute youtube powerpoint - 90,000 hits) from Geoff Lawton, Australia's hyperactive el supremo permaculturalist strutting his stuff in the Middle East.

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Disclaimer: whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of details, NZAEE - Christchurch Branch accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Opinions printed herein are not those of NZAEE - Christchurch Branch.

 

• Talk: Practical guide to electric car conversion:

  When: 1.00 pm Saturday, 16 August.
  Where: D Lecture Theatre, DL Block, Christchurch Polytech (CPIT), Madras St
  Free. All welcome, but (limited seating) need to book: christchurchev@gmail.com
  Sponsored by Sustainable Otautahi Christchurch (SOC).
  (see also under News and Links).
  
  

• Computers, GNU and free culture: free software.

  Speaker: Richard Stallman. (Kim Hill interview here. Radio NZ).
  When: 2.00 – 5.00pm Saturday, 16 August.
  Where: Lecture Theatre A1, University of Canterbury.
  
  

• Event: Vegetarian dinner at the Buddhist Temple.

  (fundraiser for Christchurch Vegetarian Centre).
  Where: International Buddhist Association, corner Harakeke St, Riccarton Rd.
  When:  7.00 pm Saturday, 16 August.
  Tickets: $25.
  Contact: Monica 021 026 23946 or info@vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz
  
  

• Gig: Save Happy Valley Coalition benefit: dancehall, roots/ska, hiphop and downbeats.

  Featuring: MZA, Mr Chris Stone, Red Dan.
  When: 6.00 pm Sunday, 17 August.
  Where:  Dux De Lux lounge bar,
  Tickets: $10 at the door.
  
  

• Nelson Ecofest Expo.

  When: 16 – 17  August.
  Where: Trafalgar Square, Nelson.
  more info here.
  
  

• Public meeting: Eels.

  Speakers: MP Metiria Turei, Clem Smith - lake fisherman, Don Jellyman - NIWA scientist.
  Also showing: the short film “Longfin”.
  When: 7.30 pm Monday, 18 August.
  Where: Prebbleton Hall, 617 Springs Rd. (How to get there map here).
  Sponsor: Waihora Ellesmere Trust.
  

• 27th Christchurch Primary Schools cultural festival: a showcase of multi-cultural performances.

  When: 7:00 - 9:15 pm, Mon 18 - Thurs 21, August.
  Where: Christchurch Town Hall.
  Cost: $12, children $6.
  In association with te Puni Kokiri (& other sponsors).
  more info here.
  
  

• The many uses of tree bark – both current and historical – tour at the Christchurch Botanical Gardens

  When: 12.10 pm Tuesday, 19 August.
  Meet outside the Cunningham Conservatory in the gardens. more here.
  
  

• University of Canterbury & WEA combined election year lecture series:

  When: Starts this week Tuesday, 19 & Thursday 21, August.
  (see also under News and Links).
  
  

• Cocktail Evening: 2008 Sustainable Business Network Awards:

  When: 6.00 – 8.30 pm Wednesday, 20 August.
  Where: Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House, Cathedral Square.
  Tickets $30.
  RSVP: to Carolyn: southern@sustainable.org.nz or 03 943 2022.
  more info: Sustainable Business Network
  
  

• Three Free Home Composting Workshops: (Bokashi, Hot Compost, and Worm Farms).

  Where: 1: Opawa Community Gardens, 176 Opawa Rd (at Aynsley Terrace).
  When: 1.00 pm 16, 19 August. (1st & 3rd Saturday each month & 1st & 3rd Tuesday).
  2: Okeover Community Gardens, University of Canterbury.
  When: 12.00 - 1:30 pm, 9, 23 August. (2nd & 4th Saturday each month, 2nd & 4th Wednesday).
  3: Lyttelton Community Gardens.
  Where: 54a Oxford Street (behind swimming pool, above Farmer's Market/primary school).
  When: 1.00 – 3.00 pm Sat, 23 August. 10.00 – 12.00 pm Mon, 25 August.
  How: Just turn up.
  More info: Annmarie Banchy 021 190 4559, or 942 7190 (evening), abanchy@paradise.net.nz.
  Sponsored by CCC.
  
  

• Public meeting:  Sustainability – National, Regional & Local.

  Speakers: Eugenie Sage, ECan councillor, Tony Moore, CCC, Kennedy Graham, Ilam Green Party candidate
  When: 7:30pm Thursday, 21 August.
  Where: Upper Riccarton Methodist Church, Cnr Yaldhurst Rd & Brake St.
  More Info: Angela 377 2852
  
  

• Event: Zero Waste & Zero Carbon Conference

  When: 20-22 August 2008.
  Where:  Hotel Ashburton, Racecourse Road, Ashburton
  More info: Event Coordinators, Diane & Tony Dawson 03 3026 791, or 0211 748 578
  email: a.dawson@xtra.co.nz

  
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 10 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview: Stephen Lendman:  American independent writer, activist and radio show host: the case of Florida's Palestinian Professor Sami Al-Arian  .
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  
  

Coming up:

• Opening Day: Lincoln Community Gardens:

  Grand opener: Selwyn Mayor Kelvin Coe.
  Guest speaker: Prof Steve Wratten.
  Competitions, prizes, Lincoln High Jazz Band…
  When: 2.00 pm Sunday, 24 August.
  Where: Lincoln Community Centre.
  Contact and info: Cello 325 2156.
  
  

• Transition Forum

  (info here: transitiontowns.org.nz and here: sustainablechristchurch.org.nz).  
  When:12.00 – 2.00 pm Tuesday, 26 August.
  Where: St Albans Community Centre.
  
  

• Timaru event: How Cuba survived peak oil
  

  The Power Of Community, How Cuba Survived Peak Oil. DVD.
  Where: St John's Church Hall, Wai-iti Road.
  When: 7.30 pm Wednesday, 27 August.
  Tickets: $10 on the night or Cliff at Only Natural.

• Biofuels forum: Biofuels: the future or folly?

  (NZ Inst. of Ag & Hort. Science, Canterbury Section).
  When: 8.30 - 12.30 Wednesday, 27 August.
  Where: Stewart 2, Lincoln University.
  
  
  

• Green Drinks:

  (info here).
  When: 5.30 pm, 28 August.
  Where: Dux de Lux, Arts Centre.
  
  

• Lincoln University's annual state of the nation's environment address.

  When: Thursday, 28 August.
  
  
  

• Nga Kete a Rehua: Inaugural Maori Research Symposium - Te Waipounamu:

  When: 4 - 5 September.
  Where: University of Canterbury.
  more info here.
  
  

• International Parks and Recreation Congress: Making Connections - Make a Difference!  

  When: 15 - 18 September 2008.
  Where: Christchurch Convention Centre.
  Registration & info at http://www.ifpra2008.com/Contact: Diana Sexton 941 6628 or diana.saxton@ccc.govt.nz
  Hosts: NZ Recreation Assn. & CCC.
  
  

• car free day

  When: 20(?) September.
  
  

• Event: Carbon Crusaders: running/walking & planting at Bottle Lake Forest Park and Travis Wetlands.

  more info here.
  When: 20 September.
  

Reminders:

• Otamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust Tree Planting:

  each weekend of August.
  New volunteers welcome but need to book in ahead. To register: Bev or Ian MacDonald at ihmacd@paradise.net.nz or ph 3325322.
  Further info: http://www.quailisland.org.nz/
  
  

• Bike trailer - one month's free trial:

  See how much fun and easy it is to carry loads without a car!
  Contact: Steven Muir
  Email: thepope@cyclingchurch.org.nz
  Ph. 03 365 8238.