Category Archives: Environment

The Freshwater Rescue Plan

Posted on by
Reply

This year, scientists, public health advocates, and environmental organisations, launched the Freshwater Rescue Plan. The Plan is seven steps the Government can take to address the pollution of rivers and lakes, and the contamination of fresh water. Listen to Laura’s conversation with:
Annabeth Cohen from Forest & Bird
Don Rood from Fish & Game
Keriata Stuart from Public Health Association
And Jane Ruka from Waitaha Grandmothers Executive Council

They explain the seven steps of the plan and their vision for the future of New Zealand’s fresh water.

For more info, visit www.freshwaterrescueplan.org.nz

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration

Posted on by
Reply

B-Side Stories talked to Ross Gardiner from Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project about the wonderful forest regeneration work that Manawa Karioi are doing at Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay. Feeling all pumped up from listening? You can go and help planting Sundays in August 1-3pm!

-Perrine

Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary

Posted on by
Reply

In this episode of B-Side Stories, Laura Beth Keown talks to Coax, the Chief Animal Caretaker from Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary Ōtaki. Many stories of cute little animals follow!

They’ve got a fundraising event on Sunday in Newtown. Check it out for shopping, face-painting, and to get inked for animals. The most bad ass tattoo of all, is an ethical vegan-ink tattoo 

-Laura

Flo McNeill – the first bag bank

Posted on by
Reply

paekakariki-bag-bank-banner

Plastic Free July champion, Flo McNeill, has instigated Welly’s first official alternative system to the plastic bag, the Paekākāriki Bag Bank, in an effort to support her whole community on the road to becoming plastic bag free. Flo talks about how, the challenges and wins in this interview.

http://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Our-District/on-to-it/sustainable-communities/paekakariki-bag-bank/

http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

Hannah Blumhardt and Liam Prince- plastic free and beyond

Posted on by
Reply

Zero Waste

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the spirit of Plastic Free July, Hannah Blumhardt and Liam Prince are about to bring you an evening of information about living Zero Waste… Wellington-style.  In this interview Hannah and Liam share about the Zero Waste Movement’s key principles, pioneers and  we glean a few tips on how to live like they do- WITHOUT a rubbish tin.

Plastic Free and Beyond: Living Zero Waste in Wellington

Find out more about the event https://www.facebook.com/events/1588953981402827/

Plus more on living plastic free

Plastic Free July Challenge http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/the-challenge.html

 

erik zydervelt- changing the way we move

Posted on by
Reply

MEVO

Word on Welly streets is that people can hardly wait for Mevo Car Share, New Zealand’s FIRST electric car share, to be launched here this spring. MEVO came through last year’s Smart Energy Challenge, and now looks set to not only disrupt the current car sharing system, but also be a shift in attitude for us “must own our own car kiwi’s” by being a cost saving, better experience alternative to car ownership. Founder Erik Erik Zydervelt talks to B-Side Stories about the journey.

 

http://mevo.co.nz/experience/

Thanks to Stuff for the photo.

Wellington – a Fair Trade City

Posted on by
Reply

 

20160502_142104

Wellington has been a Fair Trade City for over five years! In this episode of B-Side Stories, Laurie and Laura visit some businesses that bring fair trade values to life.

You’ll hear:

Wellington Chocolate Factory – http://www.wcf.co.nz/

All Good Bananas and Karma Cola – http://allgoodorganics.co.nz/

Stories coffee – https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/661693826/

Trade Aid Wellington – http://www.tradeaid.org.nz/index.php

Commonsense Organics – http://www.commonsenseorganics.co.nz/

Samantha Jones – little yellow bird

Posted on by
Reply

Sam at Little Yellow Bird

How do you get from working in the air force to wanting to help revolutionise the fashion industry?  Samantha Jones, founder of a new Wellington business Little Yellow Bird, tells us about her journey doing just that, and her passion behind supplying corporate uniforms that use ethically sourced fabrics and are made under fair working conditions.

Her big message -” Buy less and be thoughtful about what we do buy.”

http://www.littleyellowbird.co.nz/

Steve O’Connor – rocking the electricity boat

Posted on by
1

Steve - Flick Electric Co. (Hi Res)-4

One Wellingtonian currently rocking the electricity boat is Flick Electric Co. CEO Steve O’Connor. As well as being just the kind of rising star in the tech scene that Wellington is trumpeting, Flick Electric is bringing our attention closely to the dirty side of our power use, with their “Choice” app. The app has been downloaded by over 3000 people since it’s release in February.
The dirty truth is out; listen to this interview with  Steve to hear more about what we can do to clean up our act.

https://www.flickelectric.co.nz/company/#sustainability

http://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/71790/bernard-hickey-looks-whether-flick-electric-could-use-new-technology-and-raw-market

http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/energy/energy-data-modelling/publications/energy-greenhouse-gas-emissions

Ryan from Switched on bikes & Russell from NoCar Cargo

Posted on by
Reply

PicMonkey CollageOne year on from the Wellington Smart Energy Challenge we catch up with Russell from NoCar Cargo and Ryan from Switched On Bikes to see how their smart businesses are faring and the challenges of being small business owners in the CBD.