Your world

Rena update 

More than a year after the container ship Rena became lodged on Astrolabe reef in the Bay of Plenty, spilling containers and venting oil into the sea, questions remain about the impact of the disaster on the environment.

More than 30,000 tuatua have been tested, with over 1000 other samples taken from the main seafood species in the region. These show that the pollutant of most concern – the 350 tonnes of heavy fuel oil released from the wreck – has largely passed out of the food chain.

While these tests will be repeated over the spring period as the oil contamination is tracked, the location of other chemicals carried on the Rena is not known. It was revealed in October this year that the Environmental Protection Authority’s principal scientist for hazardous substances, Peter Dawson, recommended tests be carried out for elevated levels of fluoride.

Fluoride is toxic in high doses and is released by the chemical cryolite when in contact with water. Twenty container loads of cryolite were on the Rena when it struck the reef. Three of these have been lost overboard, with the remainder likely submerged on the wreck.

The EPA told Green Ideas that the fluoride released by the Rena would only be a risk to human health in very close proximity to the wreck, but that it was proven to be toxic to marine life. Saltwater does neutralise fluoride to a degree, but marine life – especially blue mussel larvae – could be affected. Fluoride does not break down in the marine environment and is naturally present at low levels.

The Rena at a glance

• 8061 volunteers in clean-up
• 345 little blue penguins saved
• 1368 containers on board at time of grounding
• 32 with dangerous goods
• 350 tonnes of oil leaked
• 2410 dead birds collected

Did you know?

Kiwis send 3.156 million tonnes of waste to landfill each year. Approximately 252,000 tonnes of it is plastic waste.

Fracking FAQs

What is it?

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique for extracting gas from rock layers where a mix of liquid, sand and other chemicals (typically lubricants) is injected into the rock at high pressure. The injection causes the rock layers to develop cracks through which the gas moves, allowing it to be collected.

What’s the problem?

Opponents of fracking claim it can contaminate drinking water, bring unwanted petrochemicals to the surface and even cause small earthquakes.

What happens here?

Fracking has been carried out in Taranaki since 1989, and has only needed resource consent approval since 2011. The Green Party claimed in October that Taranaki Regional Council had no record of the chemicals injected since 1989. Subsequent reports have revealed Shell Todd Oil Services has asked for resource consent to use radioactive tracer chemicals at its Kapuni drilling site.

Are there benefits?

Ironically, fracking has greatly reduced the greenhouse gas emissions of the United States.

The process is widely used in the US and has produced so much cheap coal seam gas that gas has largely replaced coal in electricity generation. Gas produces 45 per cent less CO₂ than coal for the same amount of energy produced – so CO₂ emissions from electricity generation in the US are expected to fall by 20 per cent on a per capita basis for 2012. New Zealand generates electricity largely from hydro resources, so the same CO₂ savings would not necessarily apply.

Share your views on www.greenideas.co.nz.

CO₂ – what's the big deal?

With everyone talking about the greenhouse effect and cutting down emissions, it’s worth looking at the heart of the issue.

Basically, scientists have demonstrated that carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas is building up in our atmosphere, trapping heat much like a greenhouse does, which is raising the earth’s temperature. This global warming is likely to be a big problem for the planet as rising temperatures are being linked to melting of the polar icecaps and a rise in sea levels which can swamp low-lying islands and coastlines.

Rising temperatures are also linked to new weather patterns affecting food crops, and effects such as ocean acidification which can damage fish supplies.

A collection of scientists brought together to investigate the problem called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says the greenhouse effect has very likely been caused by mankind burning fossil fuels such as oil and gas, as this releases CO₂ into the air. So efforts to keep global warming in check have focused on keeping CO₂ emissions down – which is where we can help.

Avoiding products that are transported long distances is a big help (this means less petrol is burned) as is reducing electricity consumption as power in New Zealand is partly generated by burning coal and gas. Even cutting down the amount of rubbish your household produces can help prevent global warming – rubbish that goes into landfill releases methane, another powerful greenhouse gas.

What do you think? Tell us on www.greenideas.co.nz.

Put your time in the bank

A strange new currency has been cropping up in New Zealand lately – time. Following the successful launch of the nation’s first timebank in the harbour town of Lyttelton, new banks have been sprouting up throughout the country.

Timebanking is a community movement where members exchange skills and knowledge for credits, which can then be traded for useful services. So a timebanker who spent an hour doing the supermarket shopping for an elderly member would earn one time credit, which could then be exchanged for another service offered by a member – say, computer repairs or language lessons.

There are now over 20 timebanks operating in New Zealand, from Dunedin to Kaitaia.

Everyone’s skills are worth the same at the timebank says Wellington co-ordinator Hannah Mackintosh – one hour equals one credit – and the upside of all the trading in cooking, photography, DIY and bike repairs has been more community engagement and new friendships. New members at the Wellington bank need two referees and go through a compulsory police check, says Hannah. This ensures members stay safe as timebankers are sometimes asked into homes, though rules vary around the country. Once signed up, members log into the bank’s website which keeps track of time credits earned and jobs people need help with. www.timebank.org.nz

Film competition grows

A Kiwi competition to find the best short film on sustainability has broken its record for the number of entries – attracting 191 films from around the country, a 25 per cent increase on 2011.

The Outlook for Someday, now in its sixth year, is open to filmmakers under the age of 24. The submission deadline for entries, which must be shorter than five minutes, has now closed and judges have the tricky task of selecting winners. A $30,000 prize pack is on offer, plus the chance to be screened by TVNZ, so competition has been fierce.

“We’ll be holding a red carpet event at the Aotea Centre for the winners” said media and web manager Ilai Amir. “And we’re arranging for them all to get to Auckland. It’s become quite the keynote event.” The award ceremony will be held early in December.

Go to www.theoutlookforsomeday.net for more details.

Use it again, Sam

Recycling Week NZ kicks off in November with events running from November 12-17. A new website has been launched for the event, full of hints, tips and ideas on living waste-free. www.recycle.co.nz.

The numbers

54 per cent of New Zealanders are being more energy efficient at home, up from 50 per cent last year
38 per cent are buying local most of the time, compared with 32 per cent last year
But only 8 per cent regularly use public transport, the same as in 2011

(Source: Colmar Brunton: Better Business Report 2012)