Next Wednesday's film:  Crude:

One of the largest and most controversial legal cases on the planet. An inside look at the infamous $27 billion "Amazon Chernobyl" case, CRUDE is a real-life high stakes legal drama set against a backdrop of the environmental movement, global politics, celebrity activism, human rights advocacy, the media, multinational corporate power, and rapidly-disappearing indigenous cultures. Presenting a complex situation from multiple viewpoints, the film examines a complicated situation from several angles while bringing a story of environmental peril and human suffering into focus.

 At Waimarie Community Centre

53 Wellington Street, Hamilton East

7pm Wednesday 24th March.

Calling all Market vendors!!

 Do you have fresh locally grown produce, scrumptious manufactured delicacies or practice original, eco-friendly art?
We need you! 

The Earth Market is part of Hamilton’s Earth Hour initiatives, in Garden Place on Saturday 27 March.

We are looking for produce, delicious food and sustainable arts and crafts of all types.
The markets are part of a full day of activities planned for Earth Hour in Garden Place: pledge signing; chalk art; entertainment on stage all day; educational stands and information for all the family and activities for kids.

9-2pm
Saturday 27 March
Garden place

$20 for a 3mx3m stall; no charge for education groups or educational stands
For a stall site contact Lisa Pemberton 07 838 6977 Email lisa.pemberton@hcc.govt.nz Website Earth Hour www.hamilton.co.nz

(The Environment Centre is happy to provide a marquee for any groups who would like to be part of this, you don't have to be selling anything other than your message, and we encourage you to take part, should be a fun day. Contact me if you would like to have a stall, or half a stall with another group before Friday.  And register with Lisa at HCC.
Sorry I can't be there. Katherine.)

Movie at Hamilton East tomorrow: Affluenza.

Here is a review:
I watched this documentary in environmental science class this past semester. It really made me think about how obsessed our society is with having things. It wrecks our bank accounts and spoils our kids  and gives us all unrealistic expectations, etc., etc. You know what I'm talking about.

Or do you? Please watch this documentary. While, deep down inside us somewhere, we knowing everything it teaches, we really need a movie like this to actually make us aware of what harm our "affluenza" is actually causing.

At Waimarie Community Centre
53 Wellington Street, Hamilton East
7pm Wednesday 17th March.

Saturday 27th March - Your City Expo

9 - 1pm, The Grandstand, Claudelands
This is an opportunity to hear what HCC have planned over the next year. Elected members will be available to answer questions and explain how to make submissions,so a good opportunity to put in a plug for what you want in your environment.

17th March
Royal Society of New Zealand, Waikato Branch

2010 Talk Series – Facing the Future

All welcome

Alexander Gillespie will present a talk on Wednesday 17 March 2010 as follows.
Title: The Role of Science in International Environmental Law and Policy

Speaker: Alexander Gillespie

Abstract:
Environmental problems of an international magnitude can only be dealt with collectively. The key to success in all of these processes is science. Whilst a robust scientific consensus is not a guarantee of success in international law, the failure of a robust scientific consensus is a guarantee of failure. To illustrate the options in this area, Professor Gillespie will show the different ways science have been approached within the three different regimes of whaling, air pollution and climate change to show what works, what does not, and what needs to be done.

Personal profile: Al Gillespie is professor on the staff at the Waikato University Law School. For a more extensive bio see http://www.waikato.ac.nz/law/faculty/staff/academic/alexander_gillespie

Wednesday 17 March
7.30 p.m.
Room AG.30,
Gate 8
Waikato University

Room AG.30 is within the School of Maori & Pacific Development. A campus map is available at http://www.waikato.ac.nz/contacts/map.pdf. There is no charge for this event.

24 March
Landcare Networking Day

Environment Waikato, in conjunction with the Lake Ngaroto Care Group and Waipa District Council, is organising a Landcare Networking Field day on Wednesday, the 24th March 2010 from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm at the Lake Ngaroto, Bank Road, off; Paterangi Road, RD3, Ohaupo. Speakers include Dr (Prof) David Lowe of Waikato University, who will be speaking on historic changes of peat lakes following lake formation.

You are invited to participate in the field day.

Morning Tea and Lunch provided. For RSVP and further details please contact Bala Tikkisetty, sustainable agriculture coordinator at EW on 0800 800 401 or e-mail; bala.tikkisetty@ew.govt.nz

Volunteers needed

TVNZ Breakfast at Dawn is on again this year on March 25th during the Balloons on the Waikato. The Environment Centre provides compostable plates and spoons at the free breakfast and takes the organic waste away to compost. Breakfast is provided for about 2000 people, so it is a good opportunity to promote education around preventing organic waste going to landfill.

We need volunteers who are happy to get up early in the morning to help dish out breakfast and monitor what is going into our bins. It is fun for all the family, with the balloons inflating and lifting off, and TV will be there as well.
If you are able to help could you pls contact Katherine at the Environment Centre, 839 4452 or email katherine@envirocentre.org.nz

Green Home Design – The economic advantages of sustainable energy efficiencies in the home

(one session has already taken place but you still have time to get to the rest)

Whether you are building or renovating this series will offer an introduction to the general concepts of ‘green homes’ and look at environmental impacts, the economic goals you may wish to achieve and the economics of energy efficiency.
Over four evenings participants will be advised of how to renovate an existing home to ensure energy efficiencies with a focus on options around water heating, appliances and the benefits of passive solar design. 

Options presented will also include discussion about appropriate use of alnternative energy sources such as solar, micro wind & hydro systems appropriate for domestic installation.  Energy efficiencies can also be achieved by examining water use and understanding water conservation in the home.

Tutor:             Ian Mayes, Eco-Design Advisor, Hamilton City Council
Times:            7pm – 9pm
Dates:             Tuesdays 9^th – 30^th March (4 weeks)
Venue:            LAIN Building, LAIN.G.27, University of Waikato (enter gate 1 off Knighton Road)

Fee:                 $25.00 (or $5.00 per session)
Course Code: CEAL384C

Contact Bev Collison at Continuing Education ph 858 5124

2010 Loder Cup award nominations

Nominations close at 5pm on 31 May 2010.

The Loder Cup is New Zealand’s premier conservation award.
Gerald Loder donated the Loder Cup in 1926 to “encourage and honour New Zealanders who work to investigate, promote, retain and cherish our indigenous flora”.
The Minister of Conservation awards the Loder Cup to a person or group of people who best represent the objectives of the Cup,to celebrate their outstanding conservation work in New Zealand.
For more information visit http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/events-and-awards/awards/loder-cup-award/

Film Screening on Wednesday night 7.30 - The Cove -
please forward to your contacts

Find out why this documentary won over 45 awards and was nominated for an Oscar.Rated M.

Gold coin koha.

Q&A session with Peggy Oki after the screenings.
Environment Centre Hamilton, 25 Ward St, Hamilton
Bookings essential for the Hamilton showing. Phone 839 4452

With special guest Peggy Oki who from August through November 2009,  served as “Cove Captain” liaison for the Save Japan Dolphins campaign in conjunction with screenings of “The Cove” in the Santa Barbara (California) area. In February 2010 she coordinated a premier screening in Dominica, and continues to work in this effort to raise awareness about the slaughter of cetaceans through the Origami Whales Project and the movie.

The Origami Whales Project has returned to New Zealand to raise awareness to the plight of dolphins locally as well as globally. A number of activities include a school visit the "Community & Environment Day" (6th of March 2010), and at least two free public screenings of "The Cove".
An Origami Maui's Dolphin Art Competition will be held. The winning 111 will be stitched together to send to the appropriate government office &/or exhibit to continue our efforts to express our concerns and ask the government to act swiftly to protect the remaining 111 of these critically endangered dolphins left. In 2009 the Origami Whales Project extended a helping hand to the critically Endangered Maui's & Hector's Dolphins of New Zealand. Please click here for information on the "Curtain of 1,111 Origami Maui's Dolphins" and how you can help the critically endangered Maui's & Hector's Dolphins.

Hi there,

I know that all you tech savvy ecowarriors will have facebook pages and be fans of a range of groups.
One that is gathering  fans (now up to 17733)  is Save Radio New Zealand. There have been protests in Auckland and Wellington and now it is Hamilton's turn to show politicians that we need to maintain a commercial-free quality information service. What other radio stations present environmental programmes? (apart from community radio)

So join Save Radio New Zealand group on facebook, and grab your little tranny and head on down on Saturday!

10am outside David Bennett's office in Grey St Hamilton East - near the Bridge St lights. 

(Those of you who do not have facebook pages - come into the 21st century!)

And while we're on Radio - here is an interesting site with a vast range of quality interviews, called "World of Possibilities" including an interesting one on Biomimicry, Designing with Nature, and another on poultry in the US Poultry pure and simple.

http://aworldofpossibilities.org/recent