This article is based on:

New methodology for the ecological footprint with an application to the New Zealand economy

Sustainability is a big issue in the world today, but the bigger challenge is measuring our progress. One way is to consider how much land is needed to sustain a population; our ecological footprint. As displayed in the image below, the requirements of the man are so much larger than himself and so diverse. The writers of this paper have created a unique way to measure an ecological footprint: what a country exports and imports. 

Previous methods used to calculate ecological footprint often relied on uncertain data, like the amount of agricultural land available for farming.  This study views imported products as a form of input and exports as a form of output, thus the methodology to calculate these figures becomes consistent. It also:

• • Cleverly links economic activity with environmental impact;.
• • Is simpler to calculate;
• • Uses more recent data than other studies and so is
• • Easily replicated. 

It creates a consistent yardstick to measure our progress towards sustainability.

It is important to manage how the economy affects the environment because, in my opinion, a sustainable country will, in the long run, have a stronger economy. For example a carton of milk requires:

• • Pasture land to support cows,
• • Forestry land to produce packaging 
• • Built land (roads, buildings) for transport and final sale. 
• • Land required to absorb the CO₂ emissions. 

If one of those resources is not cared for the chain collapses and future generations may pay the price.

However, changing the technology we use and our lifestyle helps reduce our impact. As an exercise, I calculated my ecological footprint at two websites. On carbonzero I could purchase carbon credits to offset my personal impact and the Environmental Protection Agency website gave an in depth critique of my home lifestyle (who doesn’t like a good quiz!). I was shocked by my results (below), as I believed that I was living sustainably, but was confused when each website gave a different result. If these measurements can be confusing on an individual level, imagine how much more confusing on a national or global level! 

 In 1991 it took 3.49 hectares of land per year to sustain an average Kiwi’s level of consumption; in 1998 it took 3.08 hectares. Based on this it appears we are becoming more sustainable, but this may be due to differences in calculation methods; thus the need for a consistent method of calculation. New Zealand’s footprint is not as high as other developed countries’ (such as the USA), probably due to our low population, but there is always room for improvement! We need accurate tools to measure our success. 

Using this method, we can calculate how much of New Zealand’s ecological footprint is imported  (from our use of goods and services.). For example if we imported apples from a farm in Australia - that farm would be part of our ecological footprint. In 1991, 26% of our ecological footprint was imported; at the same time we were exporting a huge 14 million hectares: almost 50% of our land area.  From this we can see how reliant we are on imports and exports to maintain our levels of consumption.

To summarise, this method provides a simple way to include sustainability goals in our country’s future plans and a yardstick by which to measure our progress. As humans we are causing large amounts of damage to our planet. Even renowned physicist Stephen Hawking does not think “the human race will survive the next thousand years", that is "unless we spread into space.” While this may be true, I believe that we should care for what we have.  After all, there is no planet B.

Sources:

Journal article: Bicknell, K. B., Ball, R. J., Cullen, R., & Bigsby, H. R. (1998). New methodology for the ecological footprint with an application to the New Zealand economy. Ecological Economics, 27(2), 149-160. 

Photo: Man and ecological footprint

Sol

Last year I was involved in an event that occurs worldwide: 'Hands Across the Sand (http://www.handsacrossthesand.com/). I attended the event in Christchurch, New Zealand. The idea behind Hands Across the Sand is to shout out to the world that we no longer want to use fossil fuels and we shall join hands to end global warming and climate change.

The unabridged article that follows is one published by Siana Fitzjohn, a Greenpeace Volunteer that played a huge part in organising the event. In the first photo a friend and I (on the right) caught the eye of the photographer and Siana felt it portrayed the mood of the event and thus included it in her blogpost. Needless to say I and my friend were very pleased to be the faces that represented the gathering.

The original article can be found at:

http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/blog/cantabrian-spirit-shines-through-at-hands-acr/blog/41699/

Cantabrian spirit shines through at Hands Across the Sand event

Blogpost by Siana - August 9, 2012 at 12:12

Although I was bursting with excitement in anticipation of Christchurch's own "Hands Across the Sand" event, mother nature didn't seem to share my enthusiasm and Saturday dawned cold and drizzly.


Of course I had left all the important things like sorting out our banner and painting t-shirts to the very last minute, so the next few hours passed in a frantic flurry of coffee, coarse words and getting the car packed. Now running characteristically late, we arrived at New Brighton beach to a small brave, bedraggled crowd already waiting for us.


I realised with a sinking feeling that I didn't have much of a plan, nor had we considered the logistics of hanging a (now soaked) 12 x 6 metre banner off the New Brighton pier with nothing but a few fisherman's knots and cheap lightweight rope. Adopting the true Cantabrian "she'll be right" attitude we decided to hang it anyway. When it dropped it effectively became a massive sail that nearly lifted me, and a helpful old man, clean off the ground as we battled to secure it.

Surprisingly it held, and billowed out insistently as if to reinforce its message. By this time a following of around 70 people had appeared on the beach, including a few local pirates equipped with ukuleles and a seafaring spirit. I was trying hectically to get us positioned and was grateful when one gentleman, with a voice like a full speaker system, managed to get everyone into some sort of line where we could finally join hands in opposition to deep-sea drilling off the coast of Canterbury. What followed was a chorus of shouts, cheers and attempted instructions from photographers as we charged up and down the beach and on and off the pier in pursuit of good photo opportunities.

When at last we seemed to have enough shots I tried to yell "thank-you and congratulations" above the noise, but the crowd quickly dispersed. I was left happily astounded by the wave of passionate energy we had just encountered from the Christchurch community.


There was a fantastic array of participants, and all had come out in the cold to throw their full support behind a clean energy future for Canterbury. A special thanks to Green MPs Gareth Hughes and Mojo Mathers who came to muck in, and to all the awesome volunteers, photographers and people who showed up on the day to make it a great fun and momentum-building event!


Our event was one of several that took place from around the country. Events were held in Raglan, Nelson and Dunedin as well. It’s great to see so many communities and people from New Zealand getting out there and showing their opposition to deep sea oil drilling.


Siana Fitzjohn
Greenpeace volunteer

Photos : ©RoryGilmore-Graphics2Go

Changes

Greenpeace Australia has recently developed a video that goes well with a previous blog post here and I would strongly recommend watching it, forming an opinion and taking action on that opinion. Remember, you have the power to influence change in this world.

You are powerful.

You think you don not effect this planet? You think you are too small? Too insignificant? Do you think you are not important? You change nothing on the face of this Earth?

An 'insignificant' person threw away one of those bottle caps. An 'insignificant' person tossed one of those lighters. An 'unimportant' person did not foresee the consequences of just one of their small actions.

You are powerful. 

You can create change. Start today. Let us change the world. Start by reducing your' use of plastics. Recycle. Consider where every piece of material you throw away is going. It does not disappear. It does not fade away once it leaves your' worried mind. Reduce your' impact. You have the power.

Film trailer: http://midwayfilm.com/
Picture: http://inhabitat.com/chris-jordan-documents-the-devestating-impact-of-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch-on-wildlife/

Solarlly Eclipsing out man!

Tuesday 14th November 2012

At 5am on the day of the Solar eclipse we (Amelia, Eddy, Grace, Chancey, Bungy [the dog] and I) stumbled our way down to Holloways beach where, even in the soft slanting light of dawn, some eclipsoid viewers had yawned their way down to nab a good spot. It had been drizzling on and off for a few days and with the sky still so cloudy we prepared ourselves to experience naught but the darkness that comes with a total solar eclipse. Our doubts were thankfully cast to the wind as the sun slowly winched into view, ducking behind thick teasing clouds, only to peek out and disappear again.

 Then just as the eclipse started in earnest the sun and moon broke through to dazzle the expectant crowd with a perfect view. The light grew soft and fuzzy. It went completely quiet. Birds that had only recently left their roosts scattered themselves across the sky, wheeling and rolling like the bones of a medicine man and made to settle on their perches once again. Even the wind seemed to stop and take the chance to drink in the marvelous sight laid before us. At totality, stars sparkled into view, piercing through the darkness. It was one of the oddest sights I have ever seen; the intense darkness of the sky and moon contrasting with the halo of light bursting around the lunar body whilst the stars twinkled away. 

 

Those watching worried not over being seen scruffy and sleep mussed in their pyjama's, they cared not for how they expressed their wonder over such a fabulous sight. We watched without inhibition and gloried in the manifestation of our universe.

 

I feel that every person who opened themselves to experiencing such a phenomenon walked away refreshed and charged with the same energy my group did. As the moon meandered its way across the sky and the suns rays spiked through once more, we too made our own way home.

                  The day was full

                                         of dancing,

                                                     painting,

                                                             eating ,

                                                                 swimming

                                                                       and laughter. 

 

  

 

 

 

We grasped life that day and sucked the marrow out of it. I only hope that I never allow myself to become jaded or forget to rejoice in the wonder of life all around me, every day. The universe can be overwhelming in its displays of wonder ,such as the eclipse, but the same wonder and fantastic sights can be seen by merely turning over a leaf and watching a spider spin her web, by stopping to ask a child what is the meaning of life, by merely stopping. Stopping in our mad dash to live. As if life can only be experienced in speed and haste and by doing. Dolce far niente. Practise the sweetness of doing nothing. We do not have to have something to show for every moment of our life to prove it was well spent.

Time you have enjoyed wasting is not wasted time. 

Riniyurru National Park

So in my first week in Australia I was towed off to Riniyurru National Park, Cape York by my host here. Our aim was to find out whether this one species of orchid, Dendrobium johannis, was actually three (or maybe even more!).  This kind of stuff is really important for conservation work because it helps conservation authorities manage the populations and make sure they stick around in the years to come. For example, if  the rangers are planning to burn in an area with an endangered species present this information can help them manage the area and protect the species if need be by,say, clearing an area around it so it is more protected. It was gloriously hot (even though it was only spring!) and I learned a lot from both my host and the rangers on base.

Riniyurru a.k.a Lakefield National Park in relation to Cairns, Australia

Grassland of Riniyurru N.P. Common sized termite mound behind me. There was a rustling in the grass and I was inspecting it hoping for a snake.

Dendrobium canaliculatum

Dendrobium johannis

Common tree frog, Litoria

Blue tongued skink/Tiliqua scincoides.

Waiting for the tide to go down a bit before we can cross a river, watching out for crocs

Kangaroo's yet to be identified (not so good with my megafauna)

Fire!

Brolga/ Grus rubicunda in recently burnt Eucalypt woodland

Lizard yet to identified

Frill-necked lizard / Chlamydosaurus kingii

The research is thus far incomplete so, unfortunately, I shall have to leave you in suspense. I know you are all just dying to know ;). I spent three days here and was barely back in the Atherton office of Queensland Parks and Wildlife services before tracking my way to Undara National Park for some more  threatened plant research...to be continued (dun dun duuun)

The next step...

So, the next stage of the journey is underway! I will be spending the next three months in Northern Queensland , mostly around a small town called Atherton on the Tablelands (West of Cairns). It's all part of my internship for Lincoln University and I am working with the threatened species unit of the Queensland parks and wildlife dept.(similar to DoC).

I arrived in Oz three weeks ago now ,on the 8th of September, in the bustling metropolis of Brisbane. From here my Father and I would start our journey up to Cairns. It was around this time that I realised how huge Australia is! Before I started planning the thought was that driving from Brisbane to Cairns; it'll be a breeze! 20 hours driving time; thats nothing! Yet as I planned where we would stop, how long we would drive every day, it became daunting. We had to reach Cairns by latest Saturday morning for my Fathers flight back to NZ and it seems most people took at least two weeks to do the drive. Well, in the end it was a bit rushed but we did and saw some amazing things.

Sculpture in Brisbane city centre

An abandoned log house on Barry and Sharon's property. If only the walls could talk eh. 

10th Sept;
From Brisbane we drove to the Capricorn caves (located a little way North of the town Rockhampton and almost smack bang on the tropic of capricorn). With a stop along the way at the Glass Mountains. A long day of driving in the unfamiliar ,and slightly unwieldy, Jucy camper van made even our first sighting of wallabies a bit anti-climatic but arrive we did and Dad had his first taste of the stuffy decidedly unsquishy sleeping arrangements.

The glass mountains:

From the look out one can see; Mt Tibberoowaccum (220m), Mt. Tibrogargan (364), Mt Beerwah (556m), Mt Cooowrin (377m), Mt Ngungan (253m). These volcanic plugs protruding from the flat plain formed from the molten lava of volcanoes 25-27 mya, erosion over the millennia has given them their unique appearance.

11th Sept:
The next morning we had arranged to go spelunking in Capricorn caves, a dry cave system that had been explored by the original european owner of the land (I forget his name…). This man explored the cave system with only candle light to guide him and if his flame went out…well, he had to feel his way out! As was demonstrated to us during out adventure 0_0 . Thus we begin! Hard hard: check, sexy canvas onesie: check, cumbersome head torch: check, sense of adventure: check? Check!.

The guide started with the archeological site in the caves (an active site that is returned to once a year by a team), we then moved further in and were given the chance to climb through what we thought were very tight spaces, little did we know the worst was yet to come! The 'Whale' …NIcknamed because it feels like you are moving through the insides of a whale…mouth to stomach to..er..sphincter and well, they said it was the blow hole I crawled out of but lets not think too hard on that…At its smallest part the stone hugs and presses in, seeming to grow smaller and smaller with each hyperventilated breath one tries to control. Each joint seemed determined to find a protrusion upon which to jam; my knees, ankles and hips snagged as a wiggled and twisted trying to find that delicate combination by which I could hurtle free. Emerging out into the sunlight above was like that first taste of sorbet on a hot summers day, I felt like I could face anything!…except the next, tighter, challenge…ehem…

Another gorgeous view (albeit over sugar cane plantations). 

12th Sept:
The third phase of our journey; Airlie beach and the Whitsunday Islands! Now, this was a bit of a disappointing stop so please bear with when the mini-rant begins. The idea here was to kayak around the islands and then drive to the next stop. We had spoken to the info desk at the hostel and had been advised that no booking was necessary and we could just pitch up and rent a kayak. This was not the case. The office was closed. Everyone was out kayaking. We were left confused and frustrated. The silver lining was that we had amazing accommodation that night. It was a bit out of the way but we drove to Paluma National Park with its fancy-pants camp site and rich wildlife. It's not often that we are able to fall asleep gazing at the stars, especially not with the sounds of the rain forest surrounding us, very chilled.

On a side note; we went African Style and made off with some sugar cane on the way up!

13th Sept:
And so we reach the final leg of out journey, to Cairns oh valiant steed! On the way there we stopped in on a pretty little town called Mission Bay. We headed this way as we hoped to see a cassowary, no such luck but the beach was a beaut and a break from the car was much appreciated.

Cairns is a pretty little city and reminds me a little of Christchurch; a small city centre with a sprawl of urban and more industrial areas. We didn't spend a lot of time exploring the city itself as our main aim was to see the reef.

14th Sept:
And thus the highlight of our trip (to me anyhow) and 20% more awesome: The Great Barrier Reef!
Now maybe it's merely my academic background but I enjoy things far more when I understand and know a little about them, so I dragged an exhausted Rory off to a lecture the evening we arrived in Cairns; 'Reef teach'. In two hours we covered the very basics of the kinds of species we would see, some of their behaviours and life history. Interestingly, he also touched upon the dangers posed to the reef and how humans are affecting the future of the World Heritage site. Cyclones, global climate change, pest species, nutrient flux from agriculture and ,of course, trawling are all cumulatively threatening the reef and its inhabitants health.

The course did allow me to at least identify some of the species I saw, which I shall extrapolate on in a later post.

A realisation one comes to when snorkelling is that no one looks good whilst doing it. We all have our faces deformed by mask and snorkel, we all strike awkward and ungainly poses as we treadmill our way across the briny blue. So, for all those girls on that boat with waterproof make up; the fish will always be more spectacular than you on the reef might I suggest less revealing togs that stay on for more than 37% of the time?

15th Sept:
What a week! I think both Dad and I were exhausted at the end of it all…In hind site we felt maybe we should have flown to Cairns from Brisbane but we did get to see all sorts of lovely things on the way up so…Six of one half a dozen of the other? The important thing is that Dad and I were able to actually talk to each other without the rest of our busy lives getting in the way. I learned a lot about my Father on this trip. One of the reasons he so enjoyed being able to do this is because he feels such opportunities will become more few and far between as I start to build my own life where he plays less of a part. I sincerely hope this is not so, it seems atypical these days that a father and daughter can get along so well and have so much in common. So, I think we should make a conscious effort to do something like this again :) !

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr Seuss

Note: All pictures belong to either myself or Rory, if you would like to use them please comment for permission to do so. I would be interested to hear why you want to use them at the least ^_^ .