Anthropocene Emergency Confusion

Posted 1st July 2019 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill Southland NZ

Looking around the discussions about the human overpopulation and just plain bad habits wrecking the planet
one has to question the education system for the gaps in simple understanding of words and effects.

When people want to declare a code red CLIMATE EMERGENCY for example it does not require a air raid siren and flashing lights
It is in fact a heads up to start factoring a big change into our society, so it is not just a call to action for those in power
but a wake up call to everyone who will be effected by something that will effect everyone everywhere in some form or other.
It is without doubt a responsible act to indicate the need to prepare.

Public Education I am sad to say teaches little about life skills and critical thinking and a lot about passing exams for entry the job market
leaving the internet to fill vast gaps in young minds.

Just a quick look on the internet reveals many people speaking with authority about politics and history parroting a load of folklore
and assumptions based on half learned observations and often, contempt.... Take the term socialism, how many people think it means
 a living hell as opposed to a word that literally means leave no one behind.  Maybe it’s not all the fault of educators but it is already
heading to become a code orange emergency of it’s own.     

NZ Wetland Experience - ES

Posted 26th May 2019 to the Otago Daily Times Newspaper Dunedin NZ

It seems kind of sad that the guys at Environment Southland are upset that the Manapouri – Te Anau Cycle Trail went too close to a wetland area out side the town of Manapouri.

I seem to recall environmentalist Sir Alan Mark saying it would be a good thing for the public to have access to some wetlands as a good public relations gesture.
The Trails Trust could easily construct access to the nearby legendary Kepler Mire (Lord of the Rings Location) something Professor Mark once mooted for scientific reasons.

I doubt the Trails Trust would want to have anything to do with that now, one would think Environment Southland would desire such a public gestures but alas not.

Perhaps ES might at least consider some PR at the Save Manapouri Rock at the Manapouri end of the Cycle Trail as that would be a perfect have a water fountain to celebrate our Pure Fiordland Water.

If they are not keen on us celebrating our geographic features they ARE big on water.

Just FYI the guy who gave the first donation to get the Fiordland Trails Trust underway was also the guy who helped Gaylord Nelson get the first Earth Day Started...

Something the Minister of Conservation might consider in the upgrade of the National Park Plan.