For the first time in the history of the annual Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority Awards [EECA], three finalists have been recognised for making geothermal energy part of their business enterprise. The inclusion of these companies’ efforts highlights the energy … Read more
The Element guide to consumer accreditation labels: Over the past three years,150,000 households have made use of a government grant to improve the efficiency and health of their homes. The program rolls on – here’s how to get started on … Read more
An unusual strain of Ecuadorian fungi enjoy nothing more than settling down to a meal of polyurethane in an airless landfill. Depending on whether we find a cure for our addiction to plastics, they may prove to be a lifesaver … Read more
Auckland’s newest development at the waterfront, Wynyard Quarter, is greening up with the installation of a rooftop garden in the Karanga Plaza which will see a reduction in stormwater runoff and promote biodiversity in the area. The waterfront development already includes rain … Read more
By Sébastien Aymeric I work in an office and, like most offices we do a lot of printing. Does that make us environmentally unfriendly? What if we had a policy of printing only when absolutely necessary, two pages per sheet … Read more
The practice of putting a monetary value on nature is a new concept, but bio banking is gaining traction overseas – and in New Zealand. The value of nature is infinite. It underpins our quality of life, the economy and … Read more
Two of the great success stories where the effects of intensive agriculture on waterways has been reversed is in the Whaingaroa Harbour, Raglan and Nelson’s Golden Bay. Farmer-come-fisherman Fred Lichtwark says his reasons for saving Raglan’s harbour are essentially selfish. … Read more
The Element guide to consumer accreditation labels Over the past three years,150,000 households have made use of a government grant to improve the efficiency and health of their homes. The program rolls on – here’s how to get started on … Read more
New Zealand is in the enviable position of having a high proportion of its electricity created by renewable means. It needs to be higher still. Aotearoa’s natural environment generated 74% of the electricity used in 2010. According to Dr Lawrence … Read more
By emailing pictures, streaming videos and songs, and storing our electronic data, we are contributing to several tons per day of coal pollution associated with keeping the internet running. In a report released by Greenpeace International, our increased use of … Read more
Research shows New Zealanders lose over $400 million per year to scams. The elderly community are particularly vulnerable to scams and fraud or just plain theft. As technology changes and the complexity of scams and fraud evolves, the need to … Read more
Cooking oil from New Zealand’s 18 prison kitchens will be converted into biofuel under a new scheme between the Department of Corrections and Biodiesel New Zealand. Each month 5,000 litres of cooking oil is sent to landfills, but under the … Read more
The Green party says the Government is not giving a realistic picture of the real cost of oil drilling in New Zealand and is overstating the economic benefits. Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes says New Zealand has the fourth lowest take … Read more
This is a rare opportunity to hear from Albert Bates, the internationally recognised author of The Biochar Solution: Carbon Farming and Climate Change, The Post Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook and numerous books, films and news media on energy, environment and … Read more
Ever been unimpressed about the plastic upon plastic packaging your purchases come in? Now you can take companies to task – and applaud the good guys – for the types of packaging they choose to use with the Unpackit Packaging … Read more
Much of the unnecessary, carbon-hungry business travel could end up a thing of the past if an Auckland company gets its way. While the Government is contemplating a law change so problem gamblers will fund the cost of a new … Read more
New Zealand could become a regional centre for emulsified fuel technology. The technique adds small amounts of water to diesel to improve efficiency and cut greenhouse gas emissions. New Zealand company Blended Fuels Solutions has joined forces with United States-based … Read more
Computer recycling which is free, safe and ethical? Sounds too good to be true? Computer Recycling Ltd, an Auckland-based company, does exactly that and claims a staggering 99 per cent of received items are kept out of landfills. Unwanted computers … Read more
The grand old Houptoun Alpha in Auckland’s CBD played host to the introductory section of the Conscious Capitalism seminar held over the weekend. Sponsored by the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust, Dr Elisabet Sahtouris, presented The Biology of Business: why relationships matter. … Read more
It has to be one of modern life’s absurdities that companies selling plastic polypropylene clothing derived from fossil fuels are allowed to call it ‘fleece’. But in recent years real wool has been making a comeback. Cutting-edge Kiwi clothing company … Read more