Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are the main driving force of climate change, and all economic sectors need to internalize their costs. Food systems (including land use, production, refrigeration, food processing) account for a quarter of global GHG emissions. Agricultural exports in Asia-Pacific account for 18% of total exports, twice as …
Two earthquakes have shaken western Southland tonight. A "severe" 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck at a depth of 10km, 140km west of Tuatapere, about 6.15pm and was followed by a 4.4 magnitude quake 85km west of Tuatapere 15 minutes later. Waiau Hotel owner Quinton Donald said the quake was relatively minor. …
New Zealand’s capital is not about to be moved because a new fault line has been discovered under Wellington, the prime minister, John Key, says. The fault line, believed to be about 10km to 15km long and capable of generating earthquakes of up to 6.5 magnitude, was discovered in recent …
A newly discovered active fault line along Wellington's harbour could result in a large quake for the city, scientists say. The Aotea Fault so far measured 2km long and ran from Oriental Parade to Westpac Stadium, said National Institute of Water and Atmospheric research (Niwa) marine geologist Philip Barnes. However, …
A strong quake has shaken the lower east coast of the North Island this morning. GeoNet said the magnitude 4.6 quake struck just off the coast of Porangahau in Hawkes Bay just before 11am. The quake, which was 9km deep, was initially assessed as moderate but that was upgraded shortly …
New Zealand scientists have analysed the climate models in extreme weather events in 2013 which reduced the country's economy by $1.3 billion. According to the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research scientist Sam Dean, human activity played a significant role in New Zealand's prolonged drought. With the help of …
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav unveiled the State Road Safety Policy here Monday, saying that it will go a long way in checking road accidents and hence, saving lives in the state. The thrust of the policy would be on spreading awareness about road safety. New Zealand would assist the state …
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck the lower North Island around 2.30am this morning. The earthquake occurred 15km southwest of Pongaroa, a small township in the Tararua District 200km northeast of Wellington. GNS data showed the earthquake was 24km deep, with a Mercalli intensity of 7. A smaller, magnitude 3.8 earthquake …
Despite pronounced reductions in child mortality in industrialised countries, variations exist within and between countries. Many child deaths are preventable, and much could be done to further reduce mortality. For the family, their community, and professionals caring for them, every child's death is a tragedy. Systematic review of all child …
Morrisons has become the first major UK supermarket chain to introduce the 'Green Leaf' screw cap closure to its own-brand wine as part of the group's ongoing carbon reduction initiatives. The Green Leaf screw cap, previously trialled in Italy, Australia and New Zealand, uses 64% less aluminium than a standard …
As countries around the world face urgent agricultural challenges, the concept of ‘climate-smart’ agriculture (CSA) has been put forward to synergistically achieve climate change adaptation, mitigation, and food security. This paper explores how three countries are using integrated policy approaches to CSA. Brazil invested in research to support sustainable intensification …
The new research has found that New Zealand is slowly losing its glaciers and could lead to severe decline in the coming years. The country's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) conducted and studied aerial surveys before arriving at this conclusion. Researchers from the University of Auckland and …
Big oil and gas companies are shifting their focus to wealthier countries after decades of exploring and producing in developing nations, lured by political stability and more predictable returns. At least two governments – Britain and New Zealand – are aiming to capitalize on the switch. On Monday, the U.K. …
New Zealand’s vast Southern Alps mountain range has lost a third of its permanent snow and ice over the past four decades, diminishing some of the country’s most spectacular glaciers, new research has found. A study of aerial surveys conducted by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) …
A government push to lure oil companies to New Zealand offers the promise of diversifying the country's economy, long dependent on wool and, more recently, Hobbit-inspired tourism. But in this university town, the oil push has also locked residents in a debate over how to balance economic gains with environmental …
The globe is on a hot streak, setting a heat record in June after it also broke the record for May. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Monday that last month's average global temperature was 16.2C (61.2F), which is 0.7C higher than the 20th-century average. It beat …
The goal of a global carbon market to tackle climate change, once touted to reach $2 trillion by 2020, received a major setback when Australia on Thursday scrapped its planned carbon trading scheme, which would have been the world's third biggest. Australia’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was to have started …
New Zealand's rivers and lakes were given the country's first ever national standards for water quality on Thursday -- although critics said the standards would allow some waterways to get worse. Water quality has been a source of constant debate in recent years as intensification of dairy farming and urban …
A 4.9 magnitude quake that rumbled through Whanganui has been felt in the shaky capital. The 40km deep quake hit just before 4pm on Thursday and was centred 40km southwest of Whanganui. Almost 2000 people registered felt reports with the GeoNet site, which is run by the Earthquake Commission and …
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off New Zealand's Kermadec Islands on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, but there were no initial reports of any damage. The USGS gave the epicentre as 126 km (80 miles) southeast of Raoul Island, the largest in the island chain located about 800 km …
The UK's conservative climate and energy minister has rejected suggestions his government could form an alliance of "like-minded" nations with Australia to oppose carbon pricing. Greg Barker has put an end to Prime Minister Tony Abbott's dream that a group of five countries could be formed to undermine global moves …
