Special Events

Dr James Hansen - NZ Tour May 2011

Dr James Hansen, the scientist behind the number 350 and one of the world's most prominent and influential climate scientists, is coming to New Zealand in May.

Dr Hansen has been invited to New Zealand by a group of environmental, social justice and business organisations, academics and committed individuals, as a contribution to the ongoing debate about climate change – and coal.

Groups and businesses involved: 350.org, 350 Aotearoa, Greenpeace, Organic Systems NZ, Oxfam, The Pure Advantage (business leaders group), the Institute of Policy Studies - and a number of interested academics and individuals.

His public talks, entitled “Climate Change: a scientific, moral and legal issue” will be presented in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Dunedin, Gore and Christchurch over a 10-day period.

Tour Schedule

Thurs 12th May: Auckland
6pm: public lecture
University of Auckland Business School OGGB4, Level 0, Owen Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road

Fri 13th May: Palmerston North
1.30 – 2.45 pm public lecture, Japan Lecture Theatre, Massey University

Mon 16th May: Wellington
5.45pm public lecture Rutherford House, welcomed by Mayor Celia Wade-Brown

Tues 17th May: Wellington
8.45 am – 5.30 pm IPS Symposium “Future of Coal,” Victoria University
(he will speak 10.20 to 11.30, on panel 4pm -5.30pm).
Download programme

Wed 18th May: Dunedin
5.30 – 7pm public lecture, St David’s Lecture Hall

Thurs 19th May: Gore
2 pm public meeting hosted by Mataura Landcare group , Gore District Council

Friday 20th May: Christchurch
5.30 pm public talk hosted by Kennedy Graham, MP, venue TBC closer to the time

Saturday 21st May: Auckland
Daytime event TBC

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In support of Dr James Hansen's tour, Professor Caroline Saunders from Lincoln University, Rod Oram (Business Journalist) and Jim Salinger (Auckland Climate Scientist) will be touring New Zealand provincial centres not visited by Dr Hansen, talking on:

Maintaining farm productivity and profits in an uncertain climate

Three leading New Zealand specialists will explain the nature of climate change, its impacts on New Zealanders’ health, properties, infrastructure, environment and rural industries. They will bring the latest information on climate change science and how it affects rural industries in regional NewZealand.

Dr Jim Salinger will speak on the latest information on climate change science and its impacts on farming and communities in the New Zealand and local context.

Professor Caroline Saunders will speak on what all this means for agricultural trade, greenhouse gas emissions and what practical and cost-effective steps farmers can take in reducing their emissions whilst improving their economic viability and business opportunities in a changing world.

Rod Oram will talk on emissions trading and compare New Zealand's climate change targets with our trading partners' targets, and what this means for agricultural trade.

Our schedule of visits for May are:

16th May
• Wanganui District Council 10 am – 12 noon, Council Chambers
• South Taranaki District Council 2 – 4 pm, Hawera
• New Plymouth District Council 7 – 9 pm, Council Chambers

17th May
• Taranaki Regional Council, Stratford,  11 – 11.30 am then lunch

23rd May
• Gisborne District Council 10 am – 12 noon, Lawson Field Theatre

24th May
• Hawkes Bay Regional Council, Napier 7 – 9 am, Ballroom War Memorial Centre Marine Parade
• Hastings District Council,  Hastings 1.30 – 3.30 pm Hastings DC Council Chambers, Hastings

In July and August we will cover Northland, Bay of Plenty/Waikato, Nelson/Marlborough, South Canterbury and Westland.



About the speakers:

Dr Salinger is an Auckland-based internationally renowned climate change scientist, now at the University of Auckland and the University of Tasmania, who formerly worked at NIWA.  He was a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Professor Caroline Saunders of Lincoln University has 20 years research expertise in the UK and New Zealand.  Her current research includes evaluating trade and the environment including assessment of international markets policies and their impact on agricultural development.

Rod Oram is an award winning financial and business journalist and Radio New Zealand National/Sunday Star Times commentator. He has commentated widely on the Emissions Trading Scheme, climate change and the various pressures being placed on trade for now and during the 21st century.

Soil & Health is pleased to support this tour.