The Transition Timaru public candidates meeting involved an opening address and questions from the floor followed by a break-out session and a final summary. Held at the Caroline Bay Hall, the meeting was well attended with around 80 people and candidates from both the Rangitata and Waitaki electorates.

For the opening address we were asked to cover our party's position on resource depletion, climate change, the ecological system's decline, the global financial system, the end of economic growth, and well being and flourishing; with a special emphasis on making our community resilient. Here's my opening address: More...

On Monday night around 170 people packed out Timaru's Grosvenor Hotel to see a presentation entitled Climate change and opportunities for the economy. The presentation was part of a nation-wide tour that's headed by leading climate scientist Dr Jim Salinger, with support from Professor Caroline Saunders (who specialises in trade and economics) and Rod Oram (business commentator and journalist).

The presenters covered all the usual content with no real surprises, but there was one point that really irked me. When asked about his thoughts on the benefits of solar panels, Dr Salinger offered that the cost of installing solar panels on household rooftops throughout the country would "probably" be offset by the savings made in Transmission costs. This is the type of statement that I've often heard made by lay people, passionate greenies and even politicians. But never a scientist! More...

Gareth Morgan turned up with a new book and his wife in tow, to talk about Climate Change. The sceptical might assert the night was going to be more of a drum-beating session with Morgan espousing the superiority of his Kiwi Saver retirement fund.

Timaru now has.

Links:

Timaru Herald: Group to tackle energy issues