Category: sea level rise

Top 10 National Climate Risks All Apply Locally

TeggTalk

New Zealand’s first nationwide climate change risk stocktake has highlighted ten areas of most concern.  The extreme risks identified all apply in Thames Coromandel.  The risks from sea-level rise feature heavily in the extreme/urgent category of risk.

Of the 43 risks identified, ten that require urgent action in the next six years are highlighted. Risks to buildings from more frequent extreme weather, wildfire, and coastal flooding were on the “urgent” list – as was preparing for social hurt to communities from people being displaced from their homes.

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Ridiculous climate change loophole in RMA has been closed

TeggTalk

Up until this week decision-makers could not decline large climate-polluting projects such as coal mines and fossil fuel power plants even though they could have huge climate-polluting impacts.  Now that ridiculous loophole has been closed.  Changes just made to the RMA now means consents for large projects can be declined if they have significant climate change impacts that are inconsistent with the Zero Carbon Act.Read More »

Climate change to be included in all Regional Council decision making

TeggTalk2 Comments

I was elected as Thames-Coromandel representative on the Waikato Regional Council on an election platform for the need to take strong action in response to the climate crisis.  I am therefore thrilled that Regional Council has unanimously agreed that an assessment of climate change implications will be required in the preparation of all relevant reports to the council. Read More »

$9 Million to Drain a Sinking Farmed Wetland Below Sea Level ?

TeggTalk1 Comment

A Waikato Regional Council (WRC) project near Ngatea on the Hauraki Plains to use pumps and a canal to drain 1100 hectares of farmland on sinking peatland/wetland has seen the cost rise steeply from $2 million in 2013 to $9 million today.  The cost benefit analysis carried out was deficient, and the latest research on potential climate change impacts has not been adequately considered.  A rigorous review of the project is required.

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