Twister terror coming earlier in Tornado Alley
22 Sep 2014
By TIM RADFORD.- The terrifying whirlwinds that punctuate the mid-Western summer in the United States so frequently as to earn the nickname Tornado Alley for the southern plains region states such as Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and northern Texas, are forming up to two weeks earlier than they did 60 years ago.
John Long and Paul Stoy, research scientists at Montana State University, report in the journal Geophysical Research Letters that, on average, the tornado season advanced by one week between 1954 and 2009.
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Time for Methanex to go – expert
Tue 2 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's looming gas crisis means Methanex should move elsewhere, according to sustainable energy expert Ralph Sims.
Climate-friendly investment still lagging in NZ
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While local financial firms have made recent strides in climate governance and emissions reporting, New Zealand’s institutional investors are still missing in action when it comes to backing clean technologies and climate solutions, according to a new report.
Transpower on track to meet core emissions targets
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Mine will impact conservation values: Forest & Bird
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New Zealand’s largest environmental organisation says new mines shouldn’t be allowed on conservation land and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is urging caution, as OceanaGold's Waihi North mine advances through the controversial fast-track approvals process.
Residents call for huge solar farm consent to be notified
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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter | North Canterbury residents have called on their regional council to allow feedback on a proposed solar farm in their community.
Govt resilience plan 'dangerous fantasy' - thinktank
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By Shannon Morris-Williams | An independent thinktank, whose members include former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer and multiple academics, is warning that the government’s long-term resilience strategy ignores physical and energy realities and exposes Kiwi households and businesses to systemic failure.
Are New Zealanders anti-climate?
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By Shannon Morris-Williams | A global study claims New Zealanders have relatively anti-climate attitudes due New Zealand's "stable" climate belief systems – but one expert argues Kiwis accept the reality of climate change.
Media round-up
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In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: Changes to road user charges will increase New Zealand's emissions; Climate Change Minister Simon Watts promises better access to hazard data for homeowners; and Kiwis borrow over $1 billion in ‘green loans’ for heat pumps and electric cars.
Proposal hikes Nelson landfill gate fees
Fri 29 Aug 2025
By Max Frethey, Local Democracy Reporter | The cost of recycling is driving up landfill dumping costs in Nelson where gate fees are proposed to be hiked by $45 per tonne.
Greenpeace to forge ahead with legal fight after Fonterra sale
Thu 28 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Greenpeace says its greenwashing lawsuit against Fonterra will continue, despite the dairy giant selling off its consumer brands.
