Environment
Muri pig pollution discussed
Tuesday 17 August 2010 | Published in Environment
A meeting was held on Monday with Muri pig farmers to discuss what could be done to reduce pollution from pig waste. The Muri Environmental Care Group delivered invitations to all of the pig farmers in the area to attend the meeting – but estimate that only a quarter of them turned up. Around 30 […]
'Better systems and processes must be followed'
Monday 9 August 2010 | Published in Environment
The recruitment process for a new chief executive of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation started professionally. This is the process described in the new audit report on the background to how John Tini got the job as chief executive. In 2007 when the then CEO Taukea Raui resigned, the job was advertised and he recommended […]
Study on financing climate change
Wednesday 28 July 2010 | Published in Environment
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has commenced a study with a view to establishing a regional Climate Change Fund or other mechanism. It will aim to help Pacific island countries improve access to and management of the various financial resources being committed globally to combat climate change. The study responds to […]
CI at climate change talks
Saturday 24 July 2010 | Published in Environment
Teresa Miimetua Matamaki is one of 14 Pacific islanders who leave for the United States today to explore emerging climate change policies. Matamaki is the second national communications project coordinator at the Cook Islands National Environment Service. The 14 are all involved in climate change adaptation and mitigation in their respective countries and are set […]
Enviro money matters
Saturday 24 July 2010 | Published in Environment
Probably one of the most important discussions as this week’s National Environment Forum was left until last at the three-day gathering. The last panel session on the last day of the conference on Thursday discussed the funding of environmental activities basically all the things that had been discussed prior to this at the forum at […]
Asbestos problem surfaces again
Friday 23 July 2010 | Published in Environment
The devastation caused to Aitutaki by Cyclone Pat in February has highlighted again the problem of asbestos in the country – or more correctly what to do with the asbestos. On the last day of the National Environment Forum yesterday, Vavia Bobby, an environment officer from Aitutaki, said the cyclone had not only destroyed their […]
Call for sewage to move
Thursday 22 July 2010 | Published in Environment
JacQUi Evans, who until recently worked for Public Health, has expressed her support for moving the regulation of sewage to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning. Speaking at the National Environmental Forum yesterday, she said that the technical nature of the rules meant that it was appropriate that people have an understanding of engineering issues. […]
Landfill management crucial
Thursday 22 July 2010 | Published in Environment
According to Waste Management manager, Tai Nooapii, the landfill in Arorangi will last around 12 more years. But whether or not it lasts that long, or whether its life is extended beyond that, depends on how well waste collection goes, as well as how well the landfill site is maintained. Noopaii said that 20 per […]
Transparency a TIS priority
Wednesday 21 July 2010 | Published in Environment
Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) programme manager, Jacqui Evans, says transparency and accountability are values that have always been held in high regard by the society. “TIS has a good track record of this,” Evans said. She is organising the 15th Annual General Meeting for the environmental society which will be held this afternoon. “We advertise […]
Red Cross offers holiday learning
Wednesday 21 July 2010 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands Red Cross is offering a school holiday programme packed with learning for kids 9-13 years old. Not only will kids taking part get to become Junior Red Cross members, they will learn more about healthy lifestyles, climate change, being prepared for disasters and emerging diseases. “This idea came about from seeing children […]
Eggelton opens forum
Wednesday 21 July 2010 | Published in Environment
Minister of the Environment Cassey Eggelton gave the opening address at the second National Environment Forum yesterday. The last one was in 2004. Eggelton said the forum was not called to satisfy overseas donors, or to point the finger of blame. She asked forum attendees to instead focus over the next three days on coming […]
Arioka challenges minister to take lead
Wednesday 21 July 2010 | Published in Environment
Vaine Arioka has challenged Environment Minister Cassey Eggelton to take the lead on the National Environment Strategy Agreement Framework (NESAF). Speaking at the first day of the National Environmental Forum yesterday, Arioka also said that the aims needed to be realistic and measurable this time round. For any of the aims to be met, she […]
Nothing compares to chasing an eclipse
Tuesday 13 July 2010 | Published in Environment
There’s a reason people of all nationalities follow the promise of an eclipse to the far reaches of the globe for serious eclipse-chasers, nothing compares. American eclipse-chaser Larry Shore has logged nine solar eclipses in places such as Shanghai, Siberia, Egypt and Pitcairn Island, and said that for those who haven’t experienced a total solar […]
All just part of the experience
Tuesday 13 July 2010 | Published in Environment
When amateur astronomer Torsten Rothenwaldt prepares to watch an eclipse, he knows there’s always a chance that poor weather will muddle the experience. He’s travelled from his home country of Germany to Libya, Mongolia and Kiribati chasing eclipses, and believes that they are awe-inspiring shows even if obscured by clouds. Rothenwaldt decided a decade ago […]
Climate solutions discussed in Apia
Wednesday 7 July 2010 | Published in Environment
“Climate Solutions: Invest in Biodiversity” is the theme of the 13th gathering of the Pacific Islands Round Table for Nature Conservation that opened in Samoa yesterday. The coalition of nature conservation partners works to improve collaboration and coordination towards effective conservation action in the Pacific region. Close to 100 participants will discuss effective biodiversity conservation […]
Poems and odes to our environment
Saturday 12 June 2010 | Published in Environment
Rarotonga school children played a big role in last week’s ‘environment week’ – drawing, photographing, dancing and writing poems and stories to highlight some of the environmental issues we face in our islands. There were some fantastic drawings displayed in the three banks and during the week’s performing arts competition – Avarua school opened up […]
Revolutionary sewage treatment for all homes
Saturday 12 June 2010 | Published in Environment
THE LOWERING of the water quality in the lagoon is a serious concern to everyone in the Cook Islands. Reversing the degradation of the water could mean that the people of Rarotonga can once again eat fish from the lagoon without fear of fish poisoning. Now help is at hand as Geoff Mavromatis and his […]
School kids tackle Lagoon Day questions
Wednesday 9 June 2010 | Published in Environment
The third annual Lagoon Day was held recently at Muri and nearly every schoolchild on the island visited the event over the course of the two days. Below is a compilation of answers given by students from both Junior (Italics) and Senior (normal) activity sheet which they filled in at Lagoon Day. Where answers were […]
Pacific fights to keep Kyoto Protocol
Friday 4 June 2010 | Published in Environment
BONN, Germany, June 3Most Pacific Island Countries are fighting to keep the only legally binding agreement under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – the Kyoto Protocol – alive to ensure that the Adaptation Board serves its purpose. The fund, established under the Kyoto Protocol, was set up to finance concrete adaptation projects […]
Marine raui to be legislated
Friday 4 June 2010 | Published in Environment
A core group of local experts on marine protected areas is examining methods to strengthen the existing system of marine ra’ui in the Cook Islands. Representatives of the Koutu Nui, Ministry of Marine Resources and the National Environment Service have recently returned from a study of marine reserves and rahui in the South Island of […]