WAMSI’s Post

Nice to see some intelligent thought, critical analysis and relevant decisions being brought forward. "These reports identified huge data and knowledge gaps in our current system, fragmented data collection and inconsistent analysis." Yes, quite. NZ is too small to devolve key transboundary nationwide decisions, guidelines and standards to every region to 'figure out' for themselves - as the commissioner notes. We desperately need a centralised agency that can be nationally funded; secure the right skilled technical assets; undertake the necessary research; collate all the necessary regional data; engage with all the stakeholders and partners consistently; and move forward, not a continual overbaking or underbaking of the cake and circling the ever widening drain of uncertainty through ill-funded under-equipped small councils. We have one NIWA, we have one Metservice, one Landcare Research, one GNS science - why not one EPA that manages all this??

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR THE AUCKLAND OR WELLINGTON LAUNCHES on 7 & 9 MAY. Attendance is free but registration is essentital. EDS celebrates 50 years with book launches in Auckland and Wellington Join us to celebrate the launch of EDS’s latest book. Environmental Defenders: Fighting for our natural world tells the story of how the law has been mobilised to protect some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most precious places. Featuring major environmental battles of the past half century, the book provides an insider’s account of how a small group of lawyers and scientists, under the EDS banner, took on the might of the government and development interests to secure important wins on behalf of the environment. With the coalition government’s proposals to roll back many of the environmental protections put in place over past decades, Environmental Defenders provides invaluable insights into the environmental controversies of today. Written by Raewyn Peart, EDS’s Policy Director, the book contains much material that has not previously seen the light of day. It is a substantial hardback richly illustrated with images of some of the most beautiful parts of the country.  Register for the Auckland (7 May) or Wellington (9 May) event here: https://lnkd.in/gn2dDzrz

🌿 Exciting news! Head of the Homeroupoli Center of Environmental Education, Stavros Spyrakis, is back to offer expert advice and guidance this year too! 🌟 Learn more at dhias.org and join the conversation. #EnvironmentalEducation #StavrosSpyrakis #GetInvolved Check out my blog post https://wix.to/FJopY8A #newblogpost

Our new #NaturePositive laws must be robust and fit-for-purpose to urgently halt and reverse environmental decline in Australia. A record number of species were added to the federal threatened species list in 2023, comprising of 114 animals, plants and ecological communities. One of the main reasons for the clearing of threatened species habitat is the high degree of discretion exercised by decision-makers. Although the Nature Positive reform package introduces new national environmental standards, there is still a high degree of discretion given to decision-makers in the proposed laws. This must be addressed to protect Australia's iconic and unique environment for future generations. To read more about the increase of nationally threatened species, please see this article by the Australian Conservation Foundation https://lnkd.in/gdGtMMPQ To read our submission, please see the post below. #epbcactreform #naturepositivelaws #biodiversityloss https://lnkd.in/gd9diUEz

The Quran offers several teachings emphasizing the importance of protecting the Earth and its resources. Here are some key verses and teachings related to environmental stewardship: 1. Trustees of the Earth: In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30), Allah appoints humans as trustees (Khalifah) on Earth, highlighting their responsibility to care for and preserve the environment. 2. Environmental Justice: Surah Ar-Rum (30:41) highlights the consequences of human actions on the Earth and emphasizes the need for environmental accountability.

If you’re looking for a bit of hope with the current attacks on nature, our friends at Environmental Defence Society (EDS) have just the thing for you. Their new book, ‘Environmental Defenders: Fighting for our natural world’ written by Raewyn Peart, tells the story of how the law has been mobilised to protect some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most precious places. Featuring major environmental battles of the past half century, the book provides an insider’s account of how a small group of lawyers and scientists, under the EDS banner, took on the might of the government and development interests to secure important wins on behalf of the environment - achieving important environmental protections as well as assisting communities to protect their special places. However, the work is not done. Although progress has been impressive, many of the issues around coastal development, freshwater quality, biodiversity and protecting outstanding natural and cultural landscapes are still with us today. New Zealand’s environment is still in need of defenders. Make sure you order a copy from EDS here: https://lnkd.in/gxhKmQc2 📷 Book cover. Credit EDS NZ.

🌿 🐟 💧 Earth & Every is pleased to provide a submission on Australia’s new Nature Positive Laws. Our submission addresses key gaps in the proposed laws in relation to: ✅ migratory shorebirds ✅ Ramsar wetlands and ✅ water resources. The submission made the following key points on the effectiveness of the proposed National Environmental Standards: 1. Migratory Shorebirds -the need for a new National Environmental Standard for Migratory Shorebirds, with wider protections for all migratory shorebird habitat, not only nationally important and internationally important sites; 2. Wetlands - the need for the National Environmental Standard for Ramsar Wetlands to protect all Ramsar wetlands, not only Ramsar wetlands that are in decline; 3. Culture and Heritage Values of Water - the need for the National Environmental Standard for Water to recognise the relationships of First Nations and Traditional Owners to water under First Law and the value of water to their ethics, values, custom, law, language and inter-generational obligations; and 4. Groundwater --the need for the National Environmental Standard for Water to have measurable outcomes for the ecological health of groundwater. Special thanks to Professor Matthew Currell, Professor Grant Hose and Dr Kathryn Korbel for their invaluable assistance and advice in relation to groundwater. We acknowledge the work of Dr Erin O'Donnell and Melissa Kennedy in relation to addressing aqua nullius and the cultural and heritage values of water. We are grateful to Derek Johnson his invaluable assistance in preparing the submission. #naturepositivelaws #epbcactreform #nationalenvironmentalstandards

[ In-Person Event ] 𝗔𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗕𝗕𝗡𝗝 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁) With Professor Joanna Mossop, moderated by Dr Nilüfer Oral, 07 Oct 2024, 4:00 PM, NUS Bukit Timah Campus, Block B, Seminar Room 4-2. https://lnkd.in/gMBpHwjC On 20 September 2024, it marked one year since the BBNJ Agreement opened for signature by States and regional organizations. As we stand in the middle of the race for 60 ratifications for the Agreement’s entry into force, join us and Professor Joanna Mossop in evaluating the BBNJ Agreement and the expectations around it, including promises and challenges. How should it concretely affect access to, and the sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic resources from areas beyond national jurisdiction? In which ways does it seek to improve environmental management? What is the impact that these new rules as well as the institutions to be established by the Agreement should have on the ocean governance regime?

In south-central Somalia🇸🇴, IOM Somalia has used a co-funding mechanism as an #EnvironmentalPeacebuilding approach that leverages environmental entry points to address conflict. Read more in this new SIPRI Policy Brief by Kheira Tarif ➡️ doi.org/10.55163/KSJV5069

Its surprising that this almost slipped through without adequate public engagement or response. I oppose this move using a simple instrument like a generic EMPr. Ideally, this should be attempted using the more comprehensive environmental management framework, which will have incorporated environmental sensitivies into management control zones, together with their specific strategic EMP and action plan. Only then can activities excluded for EIA be identified. Lumping the whole Kruger NP into one zone is simply unacceptable.We will be sending our comments in the next round of public comments.