Author: Fee Writes

Fee Writes

Earthquake in Nepal.

Many New Zealanders have such a close bond with Nepal regardless of whether they have been there or not. This is due to one of our great explorers/adventurers Sir Edmund Hillary. So when the news of the devastating earthquake reached us, we, as a nation poured out our love to the people there.

I also want to commend the N.Z. team of search and rescue people who have bags packed (so to speak) and will be ready to go if they are needed.

According to the Nepal members of the Humane Society, animals, including large carnivores such as lions and tigers, at the Central Zoo in Kathmandu are believed to be safe. However, because this has been such a disaster within the urban areas, several pets, street dogs and livestock may have been killed, injured or abandoned.

My heart and my thoughts go out to the people and the animals of Nepal.

Many Blessings

Fee Writes

Review

Movie “Surviving Earth” Review

Have you seen the movie “Surviving Earth” yet? It’s really very good and worth seeing if you get the chance.

I belong to a movie club (docos) and last night’s movie ‘Surviving Earth’ was definitely worth trotting along to.

We see and hear lots about the destruction of our planet, the poisoning, the impact of intensive farming and the pollution of our waters. But for me this was the first time I’d really got into the energy crises. This film pointed out just how we are artificially sustaining 7+ billion people through our use of fossil fuels. It is everywhere – from what we eat to what we wear and where and how we live.

The ‘cast’ is made up of Prof. Tim Flannery, Ian Dunlop, Prof. Ian Lowe, Bindi Irwin (who I was very impressed with) and Uncle Bob Randall among others. Directed by Peter Charles Downey it’s an excellent film. It’s made in Australia and shown from the Australian perspective. However, that’s pretty close to the rest of the western world.

As for the remedy? Yes, it does have solutions which is always a good positive. My view is though, that the environmental crises we’re facing is more that just energy. We must also look at all the factors from economic to animals as food, energy (fossil fuels) to other factors of pollution. Along with the chemical poisons, rain forest (and other) destruction, population explosion, wars and disease as well as our oceans and water ways. Once we can understand that it’s more than just one or two things, then, I believe we will have a better chance at starting the reversal process.

It’s not too late – but time is running out. Each of us must become aware, and we must start a “movement”. As it says in the movies, the politicians are not going to do it …. we must.

Educate yourself on what you can do.

Fee Writes

Environment | Rants

Our Beautiful Gorge Under Threat…Nooooo!!

All I can say is “Duh” – I read this news report this morning and was just flabbergasted on so many levels.

Karangahake Gorge Mining

The Karangahake Gorge is the most beautiful area in so many ways. I have travelled through there all my life and have seen it change over the years, surviving floods and the removing of the railway to name just two. There are stunning walking tracks and a cycle trail, which uses the old railway track, has recently been opened up that is one of the top rides in New Zealand.

This is an area that used to be mined back in the old days. The amount of toxic waste that was dumped into the water and the scars to the land were bad. Obviously very little was known back then about pollution, toxic chemicals, or environmental disasters.

However, nature has been kind and has “cleaned up” the water and brought the bush back to life.

So back to the present day. The District Council has now given the go-ahead for the mining company New Talisman Gold Mines to begin exploration in this area.
This is the first “Duh”! How totally selfish and shortsighted and greedy is that.

Selfish because the Government is maintaining that this is going to help the economy …. no, it will help the Government look better with the budget and with their employment figures.

Shortsighted because this is going to affect the tourist industry. Shortsighted because of the environmental impact this is going to cause, especially after Nature has taken all that time and trouble in cleaning up the mess from the last time mines were there.
and… Greedy – pretty much the same as selfish – money into the coffers to make the Government look good.

The second “Duh” is the sheer insanity of the Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges of allowing something like this just a week or so out from the general election.
Mind you, with his track record of screwing with the environment this doesn’t surprise me at all.
Money comes first with young Simon as it does with the current Government.

Who will I be voting for? I’m not even sure I’m going to vote …. I really don’t know if I trust any of them. So at the moment, I’m still one of the “undecided”. I know one thing for certain, I’m not supporting any political party that screws with our natural treasures.

SAY NO TO MINING!!!!

Fee Writes

Animals | Environment | Rants

Neonicotinoids and Bees

It really does upset me that this beautiful country that I live in (N.Z.) is so backward when it comes to environmental and animal welfare issues.

Recently I read an article about the neonicotinoid pesticides having such a devastating effect on bees and how in June 2014 a team at Harvard announced that when hives were treated with neonicotinoids, half of them collapsed.

Back around July 2013, after evidence against neonicotinoids had begun to accumulate, the EU had moved to ban three neonicotinoids from use on cereals and flowering crops attractive to bees which came into effect in December 2013.

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued a report saying that there is a connection to the health of the honey bees saying “pesticides may be part of the problem, including both the pyrethroid and neonicotinoid classes of pesticides”. But their recommendations are more about best management practices and technical advancements for applying pesticides to reduce dust, etc. than about the actual threat or banning them.

New Zealand just loves to follow USA and again our “clean, green” image comes into some question as once more the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which has the authority, has not even begun to investigate this new research …… but then New Zealand is known for dragging the chain when it comes to banning pesticides along with other environmental and animal issues.

I wonder what Sir Edmund Hillary – our famous beekeeper mountaineer – would say about this.

By the way, I applaud the EU for making this move even if it is on a “trial” basis for 2 years. They did this in the face of intense lobbying and interference by Bayer and Syngenta who make and sell the chemicals.

Fee Writes

Environment | Rants

Expanding Marine Sanctuaries.

In Washington President Obama announced (17th June 2014) that he intends to vastly expand the marine life sanctuaries in the Pacific Ocean. These are huge areas in the central Pacific Ocean and will become off-limits to fishing, energy exploration and other activities. Basically this will create the largest marine sanctuary pretty much doubling the entire current marine sanctuaries world wide.

Well done Obama!

Marine Sanctuary

Almost on the same day here in N.Z. the Government announced that it has opened up more than 3000 square kilometers of marine mammal sanctuary for oil drilling. Not only is this area a marine sanctuary but it is also home to the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin.

Shame on you Key!

Only 55 Maui Dolphins left!

Author: Fee Writes

Earthquake in Nepal.

Movie “Surviving Earth” Review

Our Beautiful Gorge Under Threat…Nooooo!!

Neonicotinoids and Bees

Expanding Marine Sanctuaries.

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