Environment
Cooks delegation at GEF Assembly
Saturday 9 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National
A Cook Islands delegation co-led by National Environment Service Director Halatoa Fua and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) Director of Treaties, Multilaterals and Oceans Division Sandrina Thondoo have attended the 7th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly.
Te Ipukarea Society: The potential impacts of deep sea mining on global climate change
Saturday 9 September 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
In the pursuit of valuable minerals and resources, humanity is increasingly turning its attention to the depths of the ocean floor through deep sea mining.
‘Random dump’ of E-waste is piling up
Friday 8 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Authorities are grappling with the random dumping of E-waste on Rarotonga during the same week they have provided a convenient way for the community and commercial operators to part ways with old unused electronic devices and vehicles.
Legacy waste collection kicks off
Saturday 2 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
National Environment Service (NES) in partnership with Cook Islands General Transport (CIGT) launched the Titā ki te Titā kore, E-Waste & Whiteware collection project this week.
Te Ipukarea Society: Weeds team visit Cook Islands for natural enemies progress update
Saturday 2 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Today’s article comes from the Manaaki Whenua Land Care Research team that have being doing work here over the past few weeks.
Drones show African tulip trees’ ‘small but mighty’ natural enemies are doing their job
Saturday 2 September 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
Aerial images collected during a survey on Rarotonga’s forests earlier this month show that the beetles released in 2021 to control the African tulip trees have been successful.
Blue supermoon dances above Rarotonga
Friday 1 September 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend
Rarotonga’s full moon walkers were treated to a rare phenomenon as the first blue supermoon in 14 years ducked between the clouds above Muri Beach on Wednesday evening.
A stronger Pacific bio security system means better outcomes
Wednesday 30 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, National
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) - the standard-setting body for plants and plant products based in Rome, develops draft standards every year which are sent to all the members of the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation (PPPO) to review and to ensure they are relevant to the Pacific.
Reconnecting people to address climate change
Monday 28 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Features, In Depth, National
Focusing on educating and changing mindsets as a solution to climate change is about reconnecting people to their environment and their resources through agriculture, says Dr Teina Rongo, marine biologist and environment warrior.
Cooks artist calls out authorities over support for release of Japan wastewater
Monday 28 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Renowned artist and cultural icon Mike Tavioni has raised his voice in frustration over government support for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Japan’s release of ‘treated’ nuclear wastewater into the Pacific.
Te Ipukarea Society: Trees of Palmerston Island
Saturday 26 August 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Palmerston Atoll is made up of six main Motu and a number of sand cays dotted around a lagoon teeming with marine life. There is no airstrip. A cargo boat visits every few months to ferry passengers, food supply, gas and fuel.
Puna: Fukishima talks tabled for Cooks Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting
Thursday 24 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National, Pacific Islands, Pacific Islands Forum, Regional
It appears the Pacific is still divided on the Fukishima wastewater issue and likely to be a hot topic of conversation at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum on Rarotonga.
Fresh calls for revival of breadfruit industry
Thursday 24 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, National
The highly anticipated Global Breadfruit Summit has placed breadfruit in the spotlight and provided a platform to promote the potential of the fruit in the Cook Islands, and as a catalyst for sustainable development in the Pacific region.
Cooks Prime Minister supports the release of Fukushima water
Wednesday 23 August 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Pacific Islands
Prime Minister Mark Brown has given a clear message on his support for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Japan’s proposed plans to release ‘treated’ nuclear wastewater into the Pacific.
Pacific Island countries meet in Rarotonga to discuss biosecurity and trade
Tuesday 22 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Over 40 participants from around the Pacific region are in Rarotonga for the Pacific Plant Protection Organization (PPPO) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) workshop, hosted at the Crown Beach Resort in Arorangi.
Brown, Pacific leaders still undecided on Japan’s plan to release nuclear wastewater
Tuesday 22 August 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Pacific Islands
Prime Minister Mark Brown along with regional leaders are still undecided about Japan’s proposed plans to release “treated” nuclear wastewater into the Pacific.
Project launched for safe removal of legacy waste on Rarotonga
Monday 21 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service (NES) has partnered with Cook Islands General Transport (CIGT) to launch the “Tita’ ki te Tita’ kore Project”.
NES warns against disturbing whales during migration season
Saturday 19 August 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
It is the whale watching season and the National Environment Service (NES) advises that the normal movements of whales should not be disrupted.
Te Ipukarea Society: Potential impacts of deep seabed mining on our tuna fisheries
Saturday 19 August 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This article has been drawn largely from two reports. One was published in the journal Nature in June 2023, and the other, a Secretariat for the Pacific Community (SPC) report from 2018. These references are available on request.
Baby whales ‘thrown over the reef’ during migration due to warmer oceans
Thursday 17 August 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend
A whale scientist in the Cook Islands expects beached calves to become a more common occurrence as storms grow in intensity due to climate change. Caleb Fotheringham of RNZ Pacific reports.
