Environment
Praise for conservation work
Saturday 5 November 2011 | Published in Environment
The conservation work at Atiu is something the whole of the Cook Islands should be proud of, according a visiting representative from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. A number of projects surrounding conservation efforts and species propagation at Atiu have been under the spotlight this week as the Cook Islands hosts Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund […]
Muri inspections uncover some champions
Saturday 5 November 2011 | Published in Environment
Though sanitation inspections currently being carried out at Muri have shown the depth of problems that need fixing in the area, they are also uncovering a few outstanding cases of people making big efforts for the environment. The Water, Waste and Sanitation (WATSAN) unit of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning is currently in the […]
What is biomass?
Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Environment
Tapping into biomass as a renewable energy source of islands like Atiu could help it manage and remove the threat introduced with new species of tree. Introduced timber like acacia and pine, which were planted at Atiu more than 20 years ago, are now growing wild and out-performing native species at the island. The trees […]
Biomass a viable option, says expert
Friday 4 November 2011 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands is in a viable position to harness biomass energy for its electricity as an alternative to diesel generation, according to a leader in the field. The low electricity use of its islands, high cost of diesel generation and abundance of suitable fuels makes biomass energy a possible alternative for at least three […]
TIS environmental group mobilises youth
Wednesday 2 November 2011 | Published in Environment
Environmental group Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) is beginning the task of expanding its membership base and is asking Cook Islands youth to start thinking of how they can make a difference for the environment. TIS has been developing a membership strategy over the last month as it looks to expand its public profile to match […]
Biomass expert to assess potential
Wednesday 2 November 2011 | Published in Environment
An Austrian biomass expert is in the Cook Islands this week to examine if the renewable energy source can be used to create electricity in the country. Doctor Richard Zweiller, co-director of Gussing Energy Technology, is visiting Rarotonga and Atiu this week to assess whether the two islands could use biomass energy for electricity generation […]
On water shortage, noises, sand
Saturday 29 October 2011 | Published in Environment
In this week’s kids page we feature a story on water shortage on the island of Atiu and poems by Apii Te Uki Ou year 5 and 6 students. Thanks to Maara Tairi on Atiu and Mrs Young at Apii Te Uki Ou. E mea puapinga te vai no te tangata, no te animara, no […]
Sustainable development the priority
Thursday 27 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Small is beautiful but it can also be fragile. As a neighbour to many small island developing states, Australia knows well their vulnerability to climate change. The very existence of countries like Kiribati, the Maldives and the Marshall Islands could be threatened by rising sea levels and more extreme storm surges resulting from global warming. […]
Gender and climate change are linked
Tuesday 25 October 2011 | Published in Environment
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has sent two policy development assistants to the Cook Islands this week to host workshops on gender balance in climate change policy as well as national energy framework indicators. Koin Etuati (SPCs energy programme and gender policy assistant) and Shakil Kumar (SPCs petroleum officer) both based in Suva […]
Wharf engineers answer concerns
Monday 24 October 2011 | Published in Environment
It is inevitable that the Avatiu Harbour reconstruction will have some environmental impact at the area but engineers at the wharf are doing all they can to limit that strain, according to consultant company Beca International. The engineering company, which is supervising McConnell Dowells construction of the $25 million project, made these comments in response […]
Local training in climate projections
Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in Environment
A team from the Australian governments Pacific Climate Change Science Program (PCCSP) spent last week training staff from the Cook Islands Meteorological Service, National Environment Service and other government agencies and non-government organisations in using a new web-based climate projections tool. PCCSP scientists, from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial […]
People not pigs causing pollution
Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Almost half of the pollution reaching the Muri lagoon is coming from private residences, according to figures gathered by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning. The ministrys Water Waste and Sanitation unit (WATSAN) this week started inspecting properties located near the Muri lagoon to help identify the source of contaminants reaching the water and possible […]
Female firefighters do the hard yards
Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Trish Barton and Mona Raui are the first women to be semi-qualified members of the Puaikura Fire Brigade but they dont want any of the associated glory. We dont see it that way theres no segregation, Barton said. Were all equal and the Crash Fire boys are really good to us. Raui says that while […]
Home gardens in Mauke
Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Climate change Climate change affects gardening because it causes a lot of sunlight and less rain which could make the plants die of thirst. We will have less food to eat. Climate change is caused by pollution. By Cindy William Saving seeds People must start saving seeds because its what we really need. Seeds from […]
Mauke dump fire causes concern
Tuesday 11 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Dry weather and winds helped fuel a threatening fire at Maukes rubbish dump recently. On Thursday October 6 at around 6.30pm, choking foul tasting fumes, that somehow infiltrate even though breathing through a cloth, warned us a long way before the rubbish dump that the fire ahead was no evening BBQ. Shortly after stopping to […]
Why should I invest in a solar power system now?
Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Reduce or eliminate your Te Aponga Uira (TAU) power bill. A high-performance photovoltaic (PV) solar system easily outperforms the current TAU tariff for diesel-generated electricity, creating a definite financial incentive for installing a PV solar system now. Generate electricity responsibly. Invest in a PV solar system and generate your own electricity from sunlight a clean, […]
Inspections start today
Thursday 6 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Muri and Avana residents this week have been receiving hand-delivered letters from the Water Waste and Sanitation (WATSAN) unit of the infrastructure and planning ministry, as well as the health ministry, about site inspections set to start today. Inspections are part of an overall programme, funded by the Australia and New Zealand governments, to upgrade […]
Leading weathermen compare notes
Tuesday 4 October 2011 | Published in Environment
The whos who of meteorology are on Rarotonga this week for the International Workshop on Climate and Oceanic Fisheries an attempt to address the dramatic and sometimes devastating impact of weather and climate change on Pacific fisheries. Among the attendees is a familiar Kiwi face, former NIWA spokesperson Jim Salinger, who now leads a task […]
World weather experts gather
Monday 3 October 2011 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands Meteorological Service is hosting weather experts and climate scientists from all over the world this week. The impetus for the gathering is the International Workshop on Climate and Oceanic Fisheries, which starts today and lasts into Wednesday afternoon.The focus of the workshop is the effect of climate change on oceanic fisheries a […]
Get the best from your cooking fuel
Saturday 1 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Apart from using the suns energy to heat an oven, the Hoskings are also big advocates of saving power and money through employing efficient methods of cooking. Their methods are low-cost and dont require much more effort than a little forward-thinking, meaning their techniques can be taken on by almost any home and are well-suited […]
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