Robert McLachlan
@robertmclachlan.bsky.social
New Zealand mathematician, writing on climate & the environment at http://planetaryecology.org
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
As New Zealand Minister Hon. Simon Watts heads to #COP30, here's some remarkable new information from an Official Information Act response I received today. 1/-
November 13, 2025 at 7:35 AM
As New Zealand Minister Hon. Simon Watts heads to #COP30, here's some remarkable new information from an Official Information Act response I received today. 1/-
This sounds like a case study in how to destroy community support for renewable energy. "Pahīatua Windfarm Ltd has not responded to the Manawatū Standard’s several requests for comment, nor has it updated its website or series of community newsletters since March." www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
The Post
www.thepost.co.nz
November 8, 2025 at 7:17 AM
This sounds like a case study in how to destroy community support for renewable energy. "Pahīatua Windfarm Ltd has not responded to the Manawatū Standard’s several requests for comment, nor has it updated its website or series of community newsletters since March." www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
I enjoyed this 9-minute film, "No One is an Island" based on the project "Living Well Within Limits" led by Julia Steinberger. Great animation and I liked how at the end, the "elephants in the room" were working happily in the park.
myhero.com/no-one-is-an...
myhero.com/no-one-is-an...
No One is an Island
Through an animated conversation, scientists explore if everyone can live well without harming the environment and reveal how hope and creativity can inspire change.
myhero.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:48 AM
I enjoyed this 9-minute film, "No One is an Island" based on the project "Living Well Within Limits" led by Julia Steinberger. Great animation and I liked how at the end, the "elephants in the room" were working happily in the park.
myhero.com/no-one-is-an...
myhero.com/no-one-is-an...
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Here's the other problem: as @climateactiontracker.org point out in the report Gates' staffers either didn't read or chose to ignore - the shifting projections from 'bad' to 'less bad' STOPPED SHIFTING after covid and MIGHT BE SHIFTING BACK TOWARDS MORE BAD
climateactiontracker.org/documents/12...
climateactiontracker.org/documents/12...
October 29, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Here's the other problem: as @climateactiontracker.org point out in the report Gates' staffers either didn't read or chose to ignore - the shifting projections from 'bad' to 'less bad' STOPPED SHIFTING after covid and MIGHT BE SHIFTING BACK TOWARDS MORE BAD
climateactiontracker.org/documents/12...
climateactiontracker.org/documents/12...
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
“very clearly, it has been shown that the National Party are happy to sign up to these things when they’re in opposition for the sake of looking as though they’re constructive, and when it comes to holding the reins of power, their word isn’t worth anything,”
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/06/g...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/06/g...
Gutting of Zero Carbon Act crashes bipartisan climate consensus
It took more than a year of painstaking cross-partisan negotiation to land the Zero Carbon Act. Now, the Govt is gutting it unilaterally, Marc Daalder reports
newsroom.co.nz
November 7, 2025 at 5:21 PM
“very clearly, it has been shown that the National Party are happy to sign up to these things when they’re in opposition for the sake of looking as though they’re constructive, and when it comes to holding the reins of power, their word isn’t worth anything,”
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/06/g...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/06/g...
An excellent piece by @christinahood.bsky.social at Carbon News on New Zealand's 2035 NDC: Does it meet our Paris Agreement obligations? Per Betteridge's Law of Headlines, the answer is NO.
www.carbonnews.co.nz/news/35982/d...
www.carbonnews.co.nz/news/35982/d...
Carbon News
Carbon News NZ Climate Policy Carbon Markets
www.carbonnews.co.nz
November 6, 2025 at 11:22 PM
An excellent piece by @christinahood.bsky.social at Carbon News on New Zealand's 2035 NDC: Does it meet our Paris Agreement obligations? Per Betteridge's Law of Headlines, the answer is NO.
www.carbonnews.co.nz/news/35982/d...
www.carbonnews.co.nz/news/35982/d...
The NZ car industry has made no progress towards meeting the 2025 emissions standards. Are they even trying?
November 6, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The NZ car industry has made no progress towards meeting the 2025 emissions standards. Are they even trying?
Bloomberg reporting on NZ's weakening climate ambition
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
New Zealand Emissions Unit Prices Tumble on Climate Law Changes
New Zealand carbon unit prices tumbled after the government announced changes to climate laws that could erode confidence in the nation’s Emissions Trading Scheme.
www.bloomberg.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Bloomberg reporting on NZ's weakening climate ambition
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Wow, the NZ carbon market hates the Government's proposed changes to the ETS and Zero Carbon Act. Carbon price which had already dropped to $51.50 yesterday now down to $41 in intra-day trading. Just keep repeating "The ETS is our key tool to control emissions".
November 4, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Wow, the NZ carbon market hates the Government's proposed changes to the ETS and Zero Carbon Act. Carbon price which had already dropped to $51.50 yesterday now down to $41 in intra-day trading. Just keep repeating "The ETS is our key tool to control emissions".
3 November 2025 saw two new NZ electricity records set: highest daily utility solar power generation (1.6 GWh, enough to make 50 million cups of tea), and the last day of an unprecedented 25-day run of zero coal power.
There will be a lot more records like this to come.
There will be a lot more records like this to come.
November 4, 2025 at 2:25 AM
3 November 2025 saw two new NZ electricity records set: highest daily utility solar power generation (1.6 GWh, enough to make 50 million cups of tea), and the last day of an unprecedented 25-day run of zero coal power.
There will be a lot more records like this to come.
There will be a lot more records like this to come.
NZ electricity reached 99.9% renewable on 25 October, I believe that is a record. And that's despite a tenth of geothermal capacity appearing to be out of action (maintenance?) since the start of October. Source: em6
October 31, 2025 at 3:46 AM
NZ electricity reached 99.9% renewable on 25 October, I believe that is a record. And that's despite a tenth of geothermal capacity appearing to be out of action (maintenance?) since the start of October. Source: em6
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
October 29, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Shane Jones vs Michel Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on
Environmental Defenders. "Unicorn kissing green drivel from doomers and malcontents" vs "Do not depict environmental defenders as criminals or extremists or as posing a threat to public order, security, national interest and economic prosperity."
Environmental Defenders. "Unicorn kissing green drivel from doomers and malcontents" vs "Do not depict environmental defenders as criminals or extremists or as posing a threat to public order, security, national interest and economic prosperity."
October 28, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Shane Jones vs Michel Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on
Environmental Defenders. "Unicorn kissing green drivel from doomers and malcontents" vs "Do not depict environmental defenders as criminals or extremists or as posing a threat to public order, security, national interest and economic prosperity."
Environmental Defenders. "Unicorn kissing green drivel from doomers and malcontents" vs "Do not depict environmental defenders as criminals or extremists or as posing a threat to public order, security, national interest and economic prosperity."
No coal has been burned for electricity for 17 days in a row. I think that is a record. Fossil power < 2% EVERY DAY in October, I think that is also a record. Image: Daily coal power generation in MWh, from em6
October 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
No coal has been burned for electricity for 17 days in a row. I think that is a record. Fossil power < 2% EVERY DAY in October, I think that is also a record. Image: Daily coal power generation in MWh, from em6
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
The may explain why no suspect information has been released. The French police have effectively conceded that the theft was not illegal because the items will be used to train large language models.
waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/l...
waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/l...
Louvre Thieves Given Immunity After Confirming Jewels Stolen For Purpose Of Training AI Software
FRENCH POLICE have immediately ended all efforts to recover priceless Napoleon-era jewellery from the Louvre taken in a daring heist after it emerged the jewels were merely stolen for the purposes of ...
waterfordwhispersnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:53 AM
The may explain why no suspect information has been released. The French police have effectively conceded that the theft was not illegal because the items will be used to train large language models.
waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/l...
waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/l...
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
For anyone working in a museum, archive, gallery, or heritage collection, the Passenger Pigeon Manifesto is a good read. ppmanifesto.hcommons.org
A call to public galleries, libraries, archives, museums, and their funders to liberate our cultural heritage that has already been digitised. Illustrated with the cautionary tales of extinct species and our lack of access to what remains of them.
ppmanifesto.hcommons.org
October 20, 2025 at 7:12 PM
For anyone working in a museum, archive, gallery, or heritage collection, the Passenger Pigeon Manifesto is a good read. ppmanifesto.hcommons.org
In a new report, Paul Callister and I examine the government's "Aviation Action Plan" and explore how the public/private group Sustainable Aviation Aotearoa, set up in 2022, appears to have failed. Story here:
theconversation.com/nzs-governme...
theconversation.com/nzs-governme...
NZ’s government wants tourism to drive economic growth – but how will it deal with aviation emissions?
Emissions from international aviation (and shipping) account for 9% of New Zealand’s total. Without stronger policy to cut them, they could grow to a third by 2050.
theconversation.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
In a new report, Paul Callister and I examine the government's "Aviation Action Plan" and explore how the public/private group Sustainable Aviation Aotearoa, set up in 2022, appears to have failed. Story here:
theconversation.com/nzs-governme...
theconversation.com/nzs-governme...
This looks good
events.humanitix.com/save-denniston
events.humanitix.com/save-denniston
Denniston - a place worth fighting for.
Join us at Parliament's Banquet Hall for an engaging talk & photo exhibition showcasing the beauty of the Denniston Plateau. Wine, beer and appetisers provided.
events.humanitix.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:45 AM
This looks good
events.humanitix.com/save-denniston
events.humanitix.com/save-denniston
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Pōneke Fun(d)raising Gig to support Denniston Defenders
😎👌🔥 F*&@ isolation & intimidation tactics. Let's come together & raise some fun! Join us to support the amazing #climateactivists who occupied a coal bucket for 23 days to try & stop #BathurstResources new coal mine at #DennistonPlateau
😎👌🔥 F*&@ isolation & intimidation tactics. Let's come together & raise some fun! Join us to support the amazing #climateactivists who occupied a coal bucket for 23 days to try & stop #BathurstResources new coal mine at #DennistonPlateau
October 19, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Pōneke Fun(d)raising Gig to support Denniston Defenders
😎👌🔥 F*&@ isolation & intimidation tactics. Let's come together & raise some fun! Join us to support the amazing #climateactivists who occupied a coal bucket for 23 days to try & stop #BathurstResources new coal mine at #DennistonPlateau
😎👌🔥 F*&@ isolation & intimidation tactics. Let's come together & raise some fun! Join us to support the amazing #climateactivists who occupied a coal bucket for 23 days to try & stop #BathurstResources new coal mine at #DennistonPlateau
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
The top of the range is also not compatible. Global average agricultural methane reduction in 1.5C scenarios is 32% from 2020 levels. 24% is what "no additional warming" for NZ would be if the rest of the world were on that 32% reduction 1.5C path.
October 15, 2025 at 5:52 AM
The top of the range is also not compatible. Global average agricultural methane reduction in 1.5C scenarios is 32% from 2020 levels. 24% is what "no additional warming" for NZ would be if the rest of the world were on that 32% reduction 1.5C path.
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Went to more sessions on coastal adaptation today then had a chat to protesters outside the @adaptationfutures.bsky.social conference. Totally agree: we are in a climate emergency and mitigation (reducing emissions) should still be top priority, unfortunately we now also need to adapt to 🥵 🌊 ⛈️
October 15, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Went to more sessions on coastal adaptation today then had a chat to protesters outside the @adaptationfutures.bsky.social conference. Totally agree: we are in a climate emergency and mitigation (reducing emissions) should still be top priority, unfortunately we now also need to adapt to 🥵 🌊 ⛈️
Samuel Mehr, 2023 Prime Minister’s Emerging Scientist:
This "is a terrible idea. It will weaken our global competitiveness and accelerate our ‘brain drain’ to Australia, Canada, Europe and various other attractive destinations for our top scientific minds."
This "is a terrible idea. It will weaken our global competitiveness and accelerate our ‘brain drain’ to Australia, Canada, Europe and various other attractive destinations for our top scientific minds."
Big shakeup for NZ’s research funding – Expert Reaction
Big shakeup for NZ's research funding - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
The Government will consolidate decision-making for New Zealand's science research funding as part of its new science system strategy. Research Funding New Zealand will be a new independent board that...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
October 15, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Samuel Mehr, 2023 Prime Minister’s Emerging Scientist:
This "is a terrible idea. It will weaken our global competitiveness and accelerate our ‘brain drain’ to Australia, Canada, Europe and various other attractive destinations for our top scientific minds."
This "is a terrible idea. It will weaken our global competitiveness and accelerate our ‘brain drain’ to Australia, Canada, Europe and various other attractive destinations for our top scientific minds."
Jane Harding, President RSTA: "Our concern is that, with the Board ... embedded in a government department... future funding decisions could be influenced... by factors beyond the excellence of the research."
The Government has ALREADY changed Marsden to be decided by factors other than excellence.
The Government has ALREADY changed Marsden to be decided by factors other than excellence.
Big shakeup for NZ’s research funding – Expert Reaction
Big shakeup for NZ's research funding - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
The Government will consolidate decision-making for New Zealand's science research funding as part of its new science system strategy. Research Funding New Zealand will be a new independent board that...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
October 15, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Jane Harding, President RSTA: "Our concern is that, with the Board ... embedded in a government department... future funding decisions could be influenced... by factors beyond the excellence of the research."
The Government has ALREADY changed Marsden to be decided by factors other than excellence.
The Government has ALREADY changed Marsden to be decided by factors other than excellence.
""Our trading partners are unlikely to smile on this reduction in ambition," [Renwick] said." – perhaps we'll hear from the EU High Commission in Wellington about this soon
I thought I’d have a go at answering the question: what’s the flow on effect on emissions budgets from the methane cuts?
The answer was worse than I had anticipated
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
The answer was worse than I had anticipated
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Scientists fear weaker methane target signals wider retreat from climate action
After cutting methane targets, New Zealand has a choice: shoulder the burden at huge cost - or cause more warming to the planet.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 13, 2025 at 7:23 AM
""Our trading partners are unlikely to smile on this reduction in ambition," [Renwick] said." – perhaps we'll hear from the EU High Commission in Wellington about this soon