THE GREAT GLOBAL GREEN GOODS HUNT
Yesterday the Greens put out a statement that mirrors at least two of my previous posts.

Many of our export consumer markets are a hell of a lot more aware of the potential environmental impact of consumer goods than we are here. The food miles debate is evidence of that.

Nevertheless, Kiwi consumers are increasingly seeking goods that reflect a greater awareness of the impact of climate change. We're looking fix our shopping.

"If Government takes a lead now to help businesses re-evaluate their production and distribution methods, New Zealand can retain a competitive advantage" the statement says.

SATURDAY SENSITIVITY - WANT MOERS?
More Saturday Sensitivity - and if you speak German you're in luck. If not there's still a laugh or two in this. The title translates roughly to "the truth about Adolf Hitler's last days in the bunker". It's great for the visuals and the tune alone.


It's a Walter Moers' parody of the German film Der Untergang. I can't for the life of me find a translation so maybe someone can help...

EARTH NEWS DUMP
Crikey... got to stop... got to take a breath... The ante has been upped and green stuff is all over the media. Here we go:

1. Hamilton lad rears a mutant frog - Hamilton and Springfield are oft compared (ahem...).
2. Kapiti council to use glass as roading basecoarse - for a backgrounder see my December post on the issue.
3. Auckland recycling co. now accepts most plastics - council only promotes curbside recycling of 1&2 plastics but it looks like a sustainable market has emerged for others too.
4. China invests in massive ecosystem destruction - clearing forest in Borneo and PNG for oil and biofuel production. (Hat tip Grist).
5. Clean energy can supply 50% by 2050 - globally that is. (Hat tip whoar).

BEATING AROUND THE BUSH
He's been doing it since parking his arse at the Whitehouse in 2001. He did it again on Wednesday. George Bush's more subdued "state of the nation" address talked of his "new strategy in Iraq" and referred to Iran as having a "regime" rather than a government.

Although Bush still relies on technology fixes for the environment - clean coal being specifically mentioned - there is light. An explicit aim to "reduce gasoline usage in the US by 20% in the next 10 years", advancing of boifuel initiatives, and increasing fuel efficiency. Here's a nice summary page.

So nice in fact that Reuters have asked "Is Bush Going Green?" (video link). Or is it simply that - as Waikato University researchers recently put it - green is the new black?

Businesses want certainty and have asked for it time and time again. That's on the back of consumers taking a stronger stance. Has Bush been genuinely convinced of the need to act for the environment, has he heeded the call of big business, or does he simply want to leave office with the (more liberal) US public having a kinder impression of him?

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?
Too much kai-moana if you go by reports in yesterdays main daily newspapers. Paua, pipi, and crayfish stocks are being hammered by overfishing - and action is being taken.

The DomPost has reported that lower North Island crayfish stocks have diminished to a level where commercial fishing quota holders are contemplating a 44% reduction in annual harvest.

Further north, the Herald has reported on the "success" of a sting that saw a Maketa man caught with 144 undersized paua in his car. Nearby someone was nabbed with 750 pipi (limit=250).

"Fisheries resources were finite, and the ministry would not tolerate those who took more than their fair share" said a Ministry of Fisheries staffer. But "fair share" is not only influenced by overfishing. Deforestation and excessive fertiliser use increase sediment and polution entering our waterways - where the impact on coastal fisheries (particularly shellfish) can be significant.

Since Forest and Bird released the 2005-06 Best Fish Guide overfishing has been brought to the attention of those like me - your average urbanite who typically buys from the shelf. We have an obligation to avoid buying at risk fish.

For those who make a living from fisheries the concern is grave. It's potentially their livelihoods at stake. And when recreational catchers poach from the commons we all loose out.

Ask your chipper, your fishmonger, or your supermarket what you're buying and where it comes from - and if you're fishing for kicks know the limits and stick to them.

DEREK TROTTER WAS AN INTELLIGENT MAN
So intelligent in fact that British scientists are developing a test to determine whether bottled water is sourced from where it claims to be. Better late than never.

An episode of Only Fools and Horses screened in 1992 depicting a classic Delboy Trotter scam. Del, Rodney, and Gradad bottled and sold water sourced in their kitchen as "Peckham Spring" water.

That episode influenced one Lancashire chap, and had similarities to a failed 2004 Coca Cola product launch in the UK. They love their bottled water in the UK. Probably because their tap water is often rubbish.

In a 2005 NZ Consumers Institute survey, 44% of Kiwis "seldomly or never" purchased bottled water. Consumer have also got a summary of unsubstantiated NZ bottled water claims (rego needed). We instinctively know it: New Zealand tap water is generally fine (but maybe not from roof fed tanks). ESR administer a (pretty shitty) website summarising national quality data - as we know, it's good stuff but water is a resource under pressure.

The bottom line is this: buying bottled water is largely a waste of time and money. It's environmental cost is significant, and it doesn't make much sense to process something that does not need processing. Whats more (sorry, I couldn't help it) water and gaming consoles don't mix.

Don't bother yourself worrying whether the bottled stuff is any good. Do yourself and the planet a favour. Drink water from the tap.

UPDATE - GETTING FIXED & GETTING ABOUT
About time you had the good oil on where we're at with ShoppingFix, and also, what's where and why on this here page.

First some directions:

You'll notice a few new(ish) features if when scrolling down the right. The old favourites (literally) are there for your entertainment and for fixing your footprint.

Regular 'fix kicks is where you can quickly get to the themed posts, and Kiwi icon fix is a series of links to iconic moments in our history. The contents of icon is of course open to debate (don't be shy).

The instant fix tools near the bottom are quite handy. If you haven't done so already take a look now.

Now for sustainable shopping:

Matt, an instrumental cog in the early ideas stage of ShoppingFix, is back from Japan. But Ants is off to take a work contract in Crete. One in and one out has provided a good chance to reassess.

We've decided to pare things back to bite sized chunks of development. First is a sharp website full of sustainability info and resources. It'll not only inform you, it'll also be where we seek your support - in the form of membership.

We'll concurrently develop sustainability guidelines and formalise our commitment to fixing shopping by engaging with our business members. From that point we'll (re)re-asses the viability of a rewards program that offers some payback to you for supporting businesses who give a shit.

To help us along the way we'll be fundraising, so stay tuned for how you can help out by having fun with us.