We need clean water rules now in New Zealand...

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We need clean water rules now in New Zealand...


During the summer of 2010, NZ Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman rafted and kayaked down some of our most polluted lowland rivers as a fun and unusual way to draw attention to the water pollution problems in our own backyard.

In 2011, Russel is again touring the country, rafting some of our most polluted and threatened rivers to highlight why we need clean water rules now.

There is no room for delay. Good clean water rules are ready to go in the form of a National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management. All they need is Environment Minister Nick Smith's signature, but he is sitting on his hands. Many of our rivers and lakes are in a dire state right now. By visiting these places, Russel is highlighting why we can't afford to delay any longer.

Every river and lake is different, but good clean water rules will help everywhere. Russel is meeting locals to hear about their specific water issues, and how national clean water rules would make a difference in their area.

Below are Russel's stories, photos and videos from the tour as he documents unfenced streams, cows in rivers, overgrown willows, and industrial discharges, and non-pollution threats like dams and irrigation projects. Join him as he imagines a future in which our rivers are once more full of birds and fish, and are safe for our kids to swim in.

Russel's tour highlights some of the worst practices of industrial dairying, but there are plenty of examples of great farmers doing fantastic work for the environment. You can read about some of these in our Good Farm Stories feature.

www.greens.org.nz/dirtyrivers

http://ecospree.com

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Let the developed world set an example and lead to the developing world in improving the environment of their waterways...

Let the developed world set an example and lead to the developing world...

 
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In recent times we have read and heard all the rhetoric concerning climate change, global warming, emissions trading schemes carbon footprints ad nauseam.

But what I suggest is that countries throughtout the developed world look at their own backyards first, before preaching to  those in the developing world. We know of the environmental records of China, India and other asian countries in relation to the pollution of their waterways - the Mekong River that flows through a number of southeast asian countries is undoubtably one of the most polluted rivers in the world.

Be that as it may, many western countries have waterways not much better than the Mekong and other asian rivers. Waterways have been treated for a couple of centuries or more as convenient sewers to dispose of industrial waste and other effluent. Even down in New Zealand, with its internationalyl acclaimed 'clean and green' image has its own problems; much of it damaged by polluted dairy farm run-off effluent.

New Zealand has been unfairly criticised by overseas media such as the British Guardian newspaper because of its alleged double standards, but is well aware of its shortcomings and is making  and has made progress in the pollution stakes. Farmers have been criticised by government agencies because of their practices in not preventing polluted run-off into streams and rivers, such as the mighty Waikato River which is also the source of fresh water in the Waikato and Auckland.

I have also read about Maori tribal authorities in the central North Island who have implemented schemes to clean up the algae weed in their lakes. They need to be congratulated for making such  positive progress in this area - the algae is the result of decades of polluted run-off from dairy farms; a common occurence in many areas of New Zealand in both islands.

New Zealand doesn't need the hypocrisy of British media who might be better off identifying pollution in British waterways.  As they say a case of the pot calling the kettle black! Let the developed world set an example and a lead to the developing world who may improve the environmental record and standards in their own areas of the globe.

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Development and climate change responsibilities to the green planet...

There has to be a consensus of opinion among the bigger developed and the so-called developing countries like China and India who are responsible for much of the pollution as well. There is a price to pay for development, don't leave it for coming generations.

The larger developing nations want to have their cake and eat it too; they say we want wealth and resources just like the developed countries - but they have to learn to be responsible as well.

We as a planet have the opportunity to discuss climate change again and then come up with a real "plan" at the next international climate change meeting later in the year, I believe. Don't accuse small nations such as New Zealand of producing greenhouse gases through the efffluence of dairy cows. That is an exaggeration.

We have to start at home and become responsible to our own local communities and regions. Water is precious and should not be contaminated and wasted by developing and developed industries and nations. We have to start with our own waterways - streams, rivers and lakes. Something that New Zealand has commenced.

If we talk the talk we must be prepared to walk the walk. The Green Planet is at risk!

Tell Congress to stop mercury pollution from chlorine plants...

For American bloggers:

Tell Congress to Stop Mercury Pollution from Chlorine Plants
The Mercury Pollution Reduction Act, H.R. 2190 in the House and S. 1428 in the Senate, would stop the "Foul Four" chlorine plants from emitting toxic mercury into our air and water.

The bill is currently up for consideration by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and recently moved to the House floor for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

Even though 95 percent of US chlorine is made without the use of mercury, four outdated plants continue to use old technology and collectively release hundreds of pounds of mercury into our air and water every year. When released to the environment, mercury ends up in our oceans, contaminating seafood.

Read here