Robert McLachlan
@robertmclachlan.bsky.social
New Zealand mathematician, writing on climate & the environment at http://planetaryecology.org
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
We're going to need more bike lanes. www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early... @cyclingactionnz.bsky.social
Government considers moving e-scooters onto bike lanes
Patrick Morgan, Cycling Action Spokesperson on the Government considering moving e-scooters onto bike lanes
www.newstalkzb.co.nz
November 27, 2025 at 7:27 PM
We're going to need more bike lanes. www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early... @cyclingactionnz.bsky.social
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Clean car standard tinkering an incoherent misstep newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/28/c...
Clean car standard tinkering an incoherent misstep
Opinion: The evisceration of the clean car standard is the latest move in a hollowing out of our climate policy architecture.
newsroom.co.nz
November 27, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Clean car standard tinkering an incoherent misstep newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/28/c...
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
1. Billy Bragg
2. Leon Rosselson
3. The Bats
4. Zakir Hussein
5. Kronos Quartet
1. Billy Bragg
2. Leon Rosselson
3. The Bats
4. Zakir Hussein
5. Kronos Quartet
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
1. Leonard Cohen
2. The Beths
3. Laura Marling
4. Tiny Ruins
5. Belle & Sebastian
1. Leonard Cohen
2. The Beths
3. Laura Marling
4. Tiny Ruins
5. Belle & Sebastian
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
A random selection
- Elton John
- Adele
- Pink
- Ed Sheeran
- James Blunt
A random selection
- Elton John
- Adele
- Pink
- Ed Sheeran
- James Blunt
November 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
1. Billy Bragg
2. Leon Rosselson
3. The Bats
4. Zakir Hussein
5. Kronos Quartet
1. Billy Bragg
2. Leon Rosselson
3. The Bats
4. Zakir Hussein
5. Kronos Quartet
Loved this @rnzrss.bsky.social story this morning about TikTok creator Louis Davis. @aarnegranlund.bsky.social?
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
November 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Loved this @rnzrss.bsky.social story this morning about TikTok creator Louis Davis. @aarnegranlund.bsky.social?
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Decarbonising energy at a steady 0.7% per year while energy use is growing 1.5% per year... not impressive
(Source: robbieandrew.github.io/GCB2025/)
(Source: robbieandrew.github.io/GCB2025/)
November 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Decarbonising energy at a steady 0.7% per year while energy use is growing 1.5% per year... not impressive
(Source: robbieandrew.github.io/GCB2025/)
(Source: robbieandrew.github.io/GCB2025/)
November 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Global air traffic already 9% above its pre-pandemic level.
One of the most dramatic "blips" at a global level, ever.
robbieandrew.github.io/internationa...
robbieandrew.github.io/internationa...
November 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Global air traffic already 9% above its pre-pandemic level.
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
New research in New Zealand finds the same result:
Marine researchers find biggest source of microplastics in our ocean is vehicle tyres
It was found broken down tyres were the largest source of microplastics in New Zealand's coastal waters.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
New research in New Zealand finds the same result:
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
"try installing solar panels on your roof in the U.S. Americans pay a median price of $28,000 for a 7-kilowatt system. The typical Australian, meanwhile, spends just $4,000, and the German — after filling out a mere two-page application — pays $10,000 per project."
Simpler Solar Regulations Would Save Americans $1.2 Trillion
A new analysis by Permit Power calculates the cumulative benefits of cheap rooftop solar over the lifetime of a typical rig.
heatmap.news
October 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
"try installing solar panels on your roof in the U.S. Americans pay a median price of $28,000 for a 7-kilowatt system. The typical Australian, meanwhile, spends just $4,000, and the German — after filling out a mere two-page application — pays $10,000 per project."
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
BREAKING
It's been revealed that fossil fuel companies were given privileged, insider access to confidential drafts of legislation during a two-year campaign to weaken New Zealand's oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban.
It's been revealed that fossil fuel companies were given privileged, insider access to confidential drafts of legislation during a two-year campaign to weaken New Zealand's oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban.
How the oil and gas industry helped rewrite New Zealand’s drilling rules
A paper trail shows just how far ministers went to accommodate the industry's wishlist, including giving it access to draft laws.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 8:46 PM
BREAKING
It's been revealed that fossil fuel companies were given privileged, insider access to confidential drafts of legislation during a two-year campaign to weaken New Zealand's oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban.
It's been revealed that fossil fuel companies were given privileged, insider access to confidential drafts of legislation during a two-year campaign to weaken New Zealand's oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban.
After making some progress between 2019 and 2023, New Zealand's transport emissions are creeping up again. Transport is a big chunk (about half) of our fossil fuel emissions and of course it should be going down, not up.
November 24, 2025 at 10:26 PM
After making some progress between 2019 and 2023, New Zealand's transport emissions are creeping up again. Transport is a big chunk (about half) of our fossil fuel emissions and of course it should be going down, not up.
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Behold the awesome 2021 Cook Islands $3 banknote
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Behold the awesome 2021 Cook Islands $3 banknote
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
The Clean Car Standard requires importers to improve the average emissions of the imported fleet over time, or pay a penalty. Turns out there was a third option: do nothing and lobby the government to delete the penalty. Well spotted @robertmclachlan.bsky.social
The NZ car industry has made no progress towards meeting the 2025 emissions standards. Are they even trying?
November 17, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The Clean Car Standard requires importers to improve the average emissions of the imported fleet over time, or pay a penalty. Turns out there was a third option: do nothing and lobby the government to delete the penalty. Well spotted @robertmclachlan.bsky.social
"Government to raise cost and damage of driving".
First they weakened the fuel efficiency standards, now they're gutting the penalties for not meeting them. Basically a voluntary standard now. Penalty rates Aus: A$100/gCO2; EU: E95/gCO2; NZ: NZ$15/gCO2.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
First they weakened the fuel efficiency standards, now they're gutting the penalties for not meeting them. Basically a voluntary standard now. Penalty rates Aus: A$100/gCO2; EU: E95/gCO2; NZ: NZ$15/gCO2.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
November 17, 2025 at 7:54 AM
"Government to raise cost and damage of driving".
First they weakened the fuel efficiency standards, now they're gutting the penalties for not meeting them. Basically a voluntary standard now. Penalty rates Aus: A$100/gCO2; EU: E95/gCO2; NZ: NZ$15/gCO2.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
First they weakened the fuel efficiency standards, now they're gutting the penalties for not meeting them. Basically a voluntary standard now. Penalty rates Aus: A$100/gCO2; EU: E95/gCO2; NZ: NZ$15/gCO2.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Iceland's international aviation emissions, first outgoing leg:
In 2009: 1.0 tCO2/person
In 2019: 3.7 t/person (cf world average 0.07t)
crazy
In 2009: 1.0 tCO2/person
In 2019: 3.7 t/person (cf world average 0.07t)
crazy
November 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Iceland's international aviation emissions, first outgoing leg:
In 2009: 1.0 tCO2/person
In 2019: 3.7 t/person (cf world average 0.07t)
crazy
In 2009: 1.0 tCO2/person
In 2019: 3.7 t/person (cf world average 0.07t)
crazy
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".