Environment
Biomass expert to assess potential
Wednesday 2 November 2011 | Published in Environment
An Austrian biomass expert is in the Cook Islands this week to examine if the renewable energy source can be used to create electricity in the country. Doctor Richard Zweiller, co-director of Gussing Energy Technology, is visiting Rarotonga and Atiu this week to assess whether the two islands could use biomass energy for electricity generation […]
On water shortage, noises, sand
Saturday 29 October 2011 | Published in Environment
In this week’s kids page we feature a story on water shortage on the island of Atiu and poems by Apii Te Uki Ou year 5 and 6 students. Thanks to Maara Tairi on Atiu and Mrs Young at Apii Te Uki Ou. E mea puapinga te vai no te tangata, no te animara, no […]
Sustainable development the priority
Thursday 27 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Small is beautiful but it can also be fragile. As a neighbour to many small island developing states, Australia knows well their vulnerability to climate change. The very existence of countries like Kiribati, the Maldives and the Marshall Islands could be threatened by rising sea levels and more extreme storm surges resulting from global warming. […]
Gender and climate change are linked
Tuesday 25 October 2011 | Published in Environment
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has sent two policy development assistants to the Cook Islands this week to host workshops on gender balance in climate change policy as well as national energy framework indicators. Koin Etuati (SPCs energy programme and gender policy assistant) and Shakil Kumar (SPCs petroleum officer) both based in Suva […]
Wharf engineers answer concerns
Monday 24 October 2011 | Published in Environment
It is inevitable that the Avatiu Harbour reconstruction will have some environmental impact at the area but engineers at the wharf are doing all they can to limit that strain, according to consultant company Beca International. The engineering company, which is supervising McConnell Dowells construction of the $25 million project, made these comments in response […]
Local training in climate projections
Monday 17 October 2011 | Published in Environment
A team from the Australian governments Pacific Climate Change Science Program (PCCSP) spent last week training staff from the Cook Islands Meteorological Service, National Environment Service and other government agencies and non-government organisations in using a new web-based climate projections tool. PCCSP scientists, from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial […]
Female firefighters do the hard yards
Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Trish Barton and Mona Raui are the first women to be semi-qualified members of the Puaikura Fire Brigade but they dont want any of the associated glory. We dont see it that way theres no segregation, Barton said. Were all equal and the Crash Fire boys are really good to us. Raui says that while […]
Home gardens in Mauke
Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Climate change Climate change affects gardening because it causes a lot of sunlight and less rain which could make the plants die of thirst. We will have less food to eat. Climate change is caused by pollution. By Cindy William Saving seeds People must start saving seeds because its what we really need. Seeds from […]
People not pigs causing pollution
Saturday 15 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Almost half of the pollution reaching the Muri lagoon is coming from private residences, according to figures gathered by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning. The ministrys Water Waste and Sanitation unit (WATSAN) this week started inspecting properties located near the Muri lagoon to help identify the source of contaminants reaching the water and possible […]
Mauke dump fire causes concern
Tuesday 11 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Dry weather and winds helped fuel a threatening fire at Maukes rubbish dump recently. On Thursday October 6 at around 6.30pm, choking foul tasting fumes, that somehow infiltrate even though breathing through a cloth, warned us a long way before the rubbish dump that the fire ahead was no evening BBQ. Shortly after stopping to […]
Why should I invest in a solar power system now?
Saturday 8 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Reduce or eliminate your Te Aponga Uira (TAU) power bill. A high-performance photovoltaic (PV) solar system easily outperforms the current TAU tariff for diesel-generated electricity, creating a definite financial incentive for installing a PV solar system now. Generate electricity responsibly. Invest in a PV solar system and generate your own electricity from sunlight a clean, […]
Inspections start today
Thursday 6 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Muri and Avana residents this week have been receiving hand-delivered letters from the Water Waste and Sanitation (WATSAN) unit of the infrastructure and planning ministry, as well as the health ministry, about site inspections set to start today. Inspections are part of an overall programme, funded by the Australia and New Zealand governments, to upgrade […]
Leading weathermen compare notes
Tuesday 4 October 2011 | Published in Environment
The whos who of meteorology are on Rarotonga this week for the International Workshop on Climate and Oceanic Fisheries an attempt to address the dramatic and sometimes devastating impact of weather and climate change on Pacific fisheries. Among the attendees is a familiar Kiwi face, former NIWA spokesperson Jim Salinger, who now leads a task […]
World weather experts gather
Monday 3 October 2011 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands Meteorological Service is hosting weather experts and climate scientists from all over the world this week. The impetus for the gathering is the International Workshop on Climate and Oceanic Fisheries, which starts today and lasts into Wednesday afternoon.The focus of the workshop is the effect of climate change on oceanic fisheries a […]
Get the best from your cooking fuel
Saturday 1 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Apart from using the suns energy to heat an oven, the Hoskings are also big advocates of saving power and money through employing efficient methods of cooking. Their methods are low-cost and dont require much more effort than a little forward-thinking, meaning their techniques can be taken on by almost any home and are well-suited […]
Solar hopefuls shouldnt worry
Saturday 1 October 2011 | Published in Environment
Home owners and businesses who have ordered solar panels should not worry over possible changes to Rarotongas renewable energy policies, according to Cook Islands businessman and alternative energy advocate James Beer. With policy changes governing the size of solar installations likely to come from Te Aponga Uira (TAU) this week, Beer said people who have […]
Rare giant octopus found
Thursday 29 September 2011 | Published in Environment
Nan Hauser and her team have managed to reel in the slipperiest and most exciting discovery of the year a four-metre Haliphron atlanticus. In laymans terms, thats the largest known species of octopus in the world. Its also the third one found in the South Pacific ever. The specimen is currently occupying a cooler in […]
From spinning to grinning
Saturday 17 September 2011 | Published in Environment
Out in Rarotongas east, the trade winds blow a consistent breeze and are providing a steady rotation to Tamaiva Tuaveras wind turbine at Muri. It is now a year since the owner of Captain Tamas Lagoon Cruises installed the five-kilowatt turbine at his hillside house just up from the beaches at Muri lagoon, and Tuavera […]
Floating plans for offshore wind
Saturday 17 September 2011 | Published in Environment
Wind farm advocates are backing the technology with an increasing conviction with the belief that high-volume, Chinese-made parts and investment in offshore technology will reduce the price of wind energy. Chinese companies have stepped up their production of wind turbine parts to help meet the growing demand within its borders for the technology. Until recently, […]
Solar likely for low-income homes
Wednesday 14 September 2011 | Published in Environment
Solar panels, and subsequently reduced electricity bills, are within reach of low income households throughout the Cook Islands, finance minister Mark Brown says. A deal is being negotiated at present between the Cook Islands government and European Investment Bank (EIB) which may see Cook Islanders access renewable energy infrastructure through low-interest loans. Government has access […]