What do these three – seemly unrelated – photographs have in common? They all feature in an upcoming talk by Dr Catherine Knight exploring how environmental history research can shape the future, through policy and planning decisions which take account of the environmental past. This question has become increasingly topical both here and internationally, particularly in the wake of a series of natural disasters that have led to many questioning the wisdom of thinking that as humans we can control the forces of nature through engineering and technological solutions. (See for example: Is there such a thing as a natural disaster? The lessons of environmental history) (more…)
July 31, 2011
How can environmental history shape the future?
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: 1880s Christchurch, Catherine Knight, conference, environmental history shaping the future, environmental policy, Eric Pawson, Katie Pickles, lecture, Manawatu floods, natural disasters, New Zealand Historical Association, Pohangina Bridge, Tom Brooking, tsunami stone tablet, Waikato University |[3] Comments
April 5, 2011
envirohistory NZ podcast – episode 5 out now!
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: Canterbury earthquake, disasters, envirohistory NZ, Environmental History, environmental planning, environmental policy, episode 5, Japan, Northeast Japan, podcast, Tohoku, tsunami |Leave a Comment
Episode 5 of the envirohistory NZ podcast series is now out. This episode explores the critical link between environmental history and the decisions we make about how we shape and live within the environment. To illustrate the importance of environmental history in helping to inform environmental policy and planning decisions, this episode reflects on two recent natural disasters – the February 22nd Canterbury earthquake and the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in north-eastern Japan. (more…)
March 31, 2010
Lindsay Gow: two decades of environmental policy – then and now
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: 100% Pure NZ, 1980s, agricutural run off, biodiversity, clean green NZ, Department of Conservation, environmental policy, estuarine ecosystem, government, Lindsay Gow, Ministry for the Environment, Pauatahanui inlet, pollution, siltation, Think Big era |1 Comment
Last year, Lindsay Gow retired from his position as Deputy Secretary of the Ministry for the Environment after more than two decades leading environmental policy work in New Zealand. envirohistory NZ asked Lindsay to share his thoughts on how New Zealanders’ attitudes towards the environment and environmental issues have changed over this period:
The first change has been in public and political opinion.
20 years and more ago environmental policy was very much the junior partner in the both government and public eyes. Although the establishment of the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Conservation came out of a reaction to the rapacious “think big” developments, it was not easy to get policy issues and ideas launched. We found that the onus of proof was against, not in favour of environmental protection. (more…)
August 17, 2011
Seminar: how can environmental history shape the future?
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: Dr Catherine Knight, Environmental History, environmental policy, Manawatu history, Massey University, New Zealand, seminar |1 Comment
After a great session last week at University of Waikato, Hamilton, hosted by the History Department (see: How can environmental history shape the future?), Catherine will be doing the same talk at Massey in October. The Hamilton talk was attended by scholars of history (both faculty and students), ecologists, hydrologists, as well as environmental managers and practitioners, and stimulated some interesting discussion. (more…)
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