The taser is a terror weapon shaped like a gun that shoots a metal barb to deliver a 50 000 volt shock. It is currently being trialled by police in Auckland and Wellington and already it has been drawn 11 times and used once - all in only the first month. The Young Greens are opposed to its introduction because it is potentially a lethal weapon that has caused deaths overseas and will be used primarily against the poor, racial minorities, activists and youth in Aotearoa. Kiwis are proud that our cops do not carry firearms and the taser is the first step towards introducing guns at the detriment of traditional and non-lethal methods of conflict resolution.

Commuter race shows the cycle can beat the car to work

Two wheels proved to be better than four in the inaugural Green Party Commuter Challenge race to work, held today to mark International Car Free Day.

“We set out to find out which was the quickest way to get to work, and in two out of three races the cycle won out over the car,” Greens Wellington Transport spokesperson Sue Kedgely says.

Teams of competitors using different modes of transport set off at the same time from three different suburbs to see which mode of transport got them to Midland Park on Lambton Quay first.

“In two out of three cases cyclists arrived ahead of their car driving colleagues and those taking the bus or train.”

In the only victory for the car Wellington City Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer drove his car from Wellington Airport in 20 minutes. Fellow councillor Celia Wade-Brown, who took the bus arrived 10 minutes later at the same time as Patrick Morgan and Illona Keenan who cycled into a stiff head wind.

On the Johnsonville run, Sridar Ekambaram cycled the route from Johnsonville Railway Station in 20 minutes, three minutes quicker than driver Adrian Bathgate and a whole 10 minutes faster than our train commuter Michael Pringle.

Travelling from Karori Shopping Centre was also faster by cycle with Stephen Knight making the trip in eight minutes and Suri Meuws and Paul Bruce doing it in 10. Spencer Chubb, who took the bus, took 19 minutes, while motorist Caroline Scott took 26. Wellington City Councillor Andy Foster opted to jog and made the journey in 14 minutes, however, he chose to start at the city end of Karori instead of the mall.

Ms Kedgley waited at the end point in Midland Park and handed out pamphlets and organic apples to passing commuters to mark the day.

“The event was a huge success and just goes to show that taking your car to work is not necessarily the fastest way,’ Ms Kedgley says.

The Green Party Commuter Challenge was supported by Living Streets, Cycle Aware and Transport 2000.

I believe climate change is the biggest issue facing youth, and in the future we will be seeing its effects more directly both on the environment but also how we structure society. Climate change has such potential to change the future of New Zealands youth and they have a stake in what happens now.

I have been involved in the youth rates campaign and this definitely is an issue relevant to youth and one that they are interested in acting on. It really is a question of human rights-and young people especially, hate being told they can't do something dependent on age. This is a similar theme to a campaign I anticipate working on in the future - to enfranchise 16 years.

There of course, are many more issues relevant, such as schools, the education system, then Tertiary education and student loans as well as the youth harm reduction Bill.

wicked website

Species extinction: coal at any cost

Save Happy Valley Coalition
8th September 2006

The Save Happy Valley Coalition is appalled by the first death of a captive Powelliphanta "Augustus" snail – living in a fridge because of state-owned coal company Solid Energy's mining operations.

"The snails have started to die in captivity. This was expected, given the rate at which Solid Energy have been taking this species from their habitat, given that they are still in domestic fridges in Hokitika, and given that there are no proper captivity facilities in sight," said Frances Mountier, spokesperson for the Save Happy Valley Coalition.

"Department of Conservation scientists said that the only way to ensure the survival of the species was to leave it on its last remaining 5ha of habitat, not moldering in a fridge. Second generation snails have consistently died in captivity – in fact there is no evidence they can live anywhere apart from their current habitat.

"This is species extinction and this is the Government's fault. This snail is only the beginning; Solid Energy is applying for permits to kill kiwi and a different species of snail within the Stockton Mine. Where is the public consultation on this? Why aren't New Zealanders being asked if killing our ancient giant snails and kiwi – our national icon – is something a government-owned company should do?

"The government has decided that Solid Energy be allowed to continue its coal mining, no matter what the cost. This drive for 'progress' and 'economic growth' is destroying the very things that people value most about this country."

Save happy valley activists welcomed those attending the Business Roundtables conference on climate change at the Wellington Town Hall with a banner, leaflets and smiles.

Last night the Save Happy Halley Coalition Wellington showed a fundrasing premier showing of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth

We had approximately 150 people attend which we were stoked with, and earlier in the day were really apprehensive that no-one would show. So we've made a little cash to keep up our judicial review of Chris Carters decision to move the threatened snails of Mt Augustus.

The film was a great oportunity to discuss climate change in relation to the save Happy Valley campaign, because lately we've done an awlful lot of talking about Powelliphanta. Lynley pulled out a great stat: that the amount of coal planned to be mined at Mt Augustus was the carbon equivalent of running NZ's passenger vehicle fleet for 2 years! Incredible!

I really enjoyed the film, and despite the excessive Gore (you know...long lingering shots of Gore staring out a window complatatively), and thought it was produced pretty well and made the issue entertaining. I actually felt scarred for the future watching the film, and if he did one thing, he stressed climate changes immediacecy.

Interestingly I found out that the below image of the Earth was taken by the last Apollo missions and is the most widely used photograph in all of history. It is so special because it is one of the only shots ever taken with the sun behind the photographer meaning the earth is fully illuminated with no shadow.

Yesterday I spoke to a group of 80 eleven year olds about climate change. I was apprehensive because I wasn't sure if they would understand or be interested in this issue. I was really suprised by their knowledge on the issue and was blown away, when I asked them, 'what are some things that cause climate change?' and they replied with the normal things like, 'carbon dioxide,' and 'petrol,' but also things like, 'CCfs, nitrous oxide,' and 'sulfates!'

They were pretty quick and knew a lot about the issue already. I handed out a bunch of fridge magnets and information on how changing your electricity company to support renewable energy so maybe their parents will be as quick

Obviously their teachers are doing something to educate them on this issue...lets hope our Politicians aren't too far behind.

If you'd like a copy of my powerpoint just drop me an email.