Environment
Chamber clarifies role in lagoon trial
Saturday 9 April 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
The Chamber of Commerce has clarified its role in coordinating a trial to scrap algae in Muri lagoon using an excavator.
Nothing sinister behind missing report says NES
Friday 8 April 2016 | Published in Environment
A person who wrote to CI News complaining of the difficulty of accessing an Environmental Impact Assessment report has been the victim of a member of the public ignoring a “do not remove,” warning, says the National Environment Service (NES).
Second attempt to fight pest vine
Friday 1 April 2016 | Published in Environment
Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture is doing another round of tests on Rarotonga to control the mile-a-minute vine that is choking bush and plantations around the island.
Pioneering research involves Cook Islands
Thursday 31 March 2016 | Published in Environment
Pioneering scientific research to examine the value of organic farming over chemical agriculture for good soil health and climate resilience in the Pacific region will start in May.
Algae removal trial a success
Thursday 31 March 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
The trial to scrape algae out of Muri lagoon using an excavator has been a success, says Chamber of Commerce president Stephen Lyon.
Famed actor joins fight to protect oceans
Saturday 26 March 2016 | Published in Environment
This week the high profile actor’s foundation announced it is donating almost $NZ1.5 million to help finance the first-ever “debt for oceans conservation swap,” which will benefit ocean protection efforts in the Seychelles, a tiny African nation of 115 small islands in the Indian Ocean off of East Africa.
Lagoon weed pilot productive
Friday 18 March 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
Efforts to remove algae in Muri lagoon using an excavator are producing the desired effect, says Chamber of Commerce president Stephen Lyon.
Worm farms fun and environmentally friendly
Monday 14 March 2016 | Published in Environment
Wriggly worms play a vital role in our environment.
Help fight the battle against polystyrene
Saturday 5 March 2016 | Published in Environment
Now you can help keep Rarotonga clean and support fundraising efforts of Te Uki Ou School by renting a plate from their stall at the Muri Night Market.
'Trees must be protected'
Friday 5 February 2016 | Published in Environment
Historic trees in the Cook Islands will need to be preserved and protected as they are diminishing, states a concerned citizen.
Seaweed everywhere
Thursday 4 February 2016 | Published in Environment
Algae smothering the Muri lagoon floor and now extensive amounts of seaweed being swept on to the beach at Avana are creating an ugly, smelly mass all along the foreshore.
TIS wants ban on polystyrene containers
Saturday 30 January 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
The Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) is liaising with the Cook Islands government in an effort to ban the use of the Expandable Polystyrene Foam (EPS) products, especially those used for packaging in the takeaways food industry in the Cook Islands
Grants to fight environment issues
Tuesday 26 January 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
The next round of funding for the Cook Islands Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Strengthening the Resilience of our Islands and our Communities to Climate Change (SRIC-CC) is due this Friday.
Floods wreck island's food source
Monday 25 January 2016 | Published in Environment
Flooding in the taro patches on Pukapuka is threatening the livelihoods of locals and creating a very real danger to food security on the isolated Pa Enua.
Plastic debris set to outnumber fish
Friday 22 January 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
Startling revelations that the world’s oceans may have more plastic debris than fish by the year 2050 have not gone unnoticed by environmentalists in the Cook Islands.
Over-the-reef appeal to be heard
Wednesday 20 January 2016 | Published in Environment
The Rarotonga Enviroment Authority will meet this week to hear an appeal by the company wanting to build at over-the-reef pipeline to supply fuel to Rarotonga.
Seaweed stench gets up motorists' noses
Monday 18 January 2016 | Published in Environment
There’s a bad smell in the air when you drive through Avana, causing motorists to hold their breath along the stretch of road in Ngatangiia.
Weed turnoff for tourists
Thursday 14 January 2016 | Published in Environment
Tourists are making known their displeasure at the state of Muri lagoon, with many becoming vocal online about the unsightly algae growth.
Fua called out on 'fishy' Muri remarks
Wednesday 13 January 2016 | Published in Environment
The Opposition is calling out the government and Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s chief executive Halatoa Fua for making “fishy” comments about the deteriorating state of Muri lagoon.
Algae not harmful says tourism head
Monday 11 January 2016 | Published in Environment
Despite the growing masses of sludgy green algae blanketing large areas of Muri lagoon, Cook Islands Tourism is adamant visitors can swim there without any risk to health.