Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Bella Duncan

samuel mehr @mehr.nz · 13h

NZ's govt has announced reforms to science funding

just one line about basic science in there: "Discovery-led science & research will continue to be funded. This will sit outside the pillars & is essential for maintaining vibrant curiosity-driven science system"

yea mate seems like a real priority

A new strategy for the science system | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

The Government is changing how science, innovation and technology are funded and supported in New Zealand. The goal is a simpler and more strategic system that helps researchers turn ideas into solutions that benefit New Zealand.

www.mbie.govt.nz

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Science Media Centre NZ @smcnz.bsky.social · 12h

Big shakeup for NZ’s research funding – Expert Reaction

Big shakeup for NZ's research funding - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre

The Government will consolidate decision-making for New Zealand's science research funding as part of its new science system strategy. Research Funding New Zealand will be a new independent board that...

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

James Renwick @cubaraglanguy.bsky.social · 11h

My recent comments on NZ methane targets summarised here.
theconversation.com/a-lack-of-am...

A ‘lack of ambition’ over livestock emissions targets now threatens NZ’s reputation and trade

The government’s weakened methane reduction target mirrors the approach promoted by industry lobby groups but rejected by the Climate Change Commission.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Rohan MacMahon @rohmac.bsky.social · 11h

Stuff front page right now… what a juxtaposition.

#climate #nzpol

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Dr Lucy Stewart @lcsnz.bsky.social · 13h

Like most of the science system reforms this year, there's some good ideas here but the overarching direction this government dictates for research ('value for the private sector') is not one that will actually lead to good research

Cate Macinnis-Ng @loraxcate.bsky.social · 14h

The @marsdenfund.bsky.social has been essential for funding blue skies research in New Zealand for 30 years. Such a pity to see news it will be swallowed by the new Research Funding New Zealand. I hope the best aspects of the Marsden Fund will be retained.
www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-...

A new strategy for the science system | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

The Government is changing how science, innovation and technology are funded and supported in New Zealand. The goal is a simpler and more strategic system that helps researchers turn ideas into solutions that benefit New Zealand.

www.mbie.govt.nz

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Rebecca Priestley @rkpriestley.bsky.social · 14h

In 2026 we are offering a new course on Climate Change Communication. You can study this important topic as part of a wider programme or as a standalone course, at undergraduate (SCIS 317) or postgraduate (SCIS 417) level. More info here, or ask me questions #kikorangi www.wgtn.ac.nz/courses/scis...

SCIS 317 Climate Change Communication | Course | Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Examine how scientists, writers, Indigenous advocates, artists, and activists engage public audiences with the realities of climate change and the need for mitigation and adaptation. You will explore ...

www.wgtn.ac.nz

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Robert McLachlan @robertmclachlan.bsky.social · 1d

""Our trading partners are unlikely to smile on this reduction in ambition," [Renwick] said." – perhaps we'll hear from the EU High Commission in Wellington about this soon

Kirsty Johnston @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social · 1d

I thought I’d have a go at answering the question: what’s the flow on effect on emissions budgets from the methane cuts?

The answer was worse than I had anticipated

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Scientists fear weaker methane target signals wider retreat from climate action

After cutting methane targets, New Zealand has a choice: shoulder the burden at huge cost - or cause more warming to the planet.

www.rnz.co.nz

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Kirsty Johnston @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social · 1d

I thought I’d have a go at answering the question: what’s the flow on effect on emissions budgets from the methane cuts?

The answer was worse than I had anticipated

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Scientists fear weaker methane target signals wider retreat from climate action

After cutting methane targets, New Zealand has a choice: shoulder the burden at huge cost - or cause more warming to the planet.

www.rnz.co.nz

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Marc Daalder @marcdaalder.bsky.social · 1d

My analysis: The Government’s methane announcement is the policy equivalent of a steaming cowpat on cross-partisan climate consensus and international efforts to tackle the crisis.

The headline effect of a new, weaker climate target is a warmer, more dangerous world.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/13/f...

Farmers off the hook on climate means rest of us pick up the slack

Comment: The Government's methane announcement is the policy equivalent of a steaming cowpat on cross-partisan climate consensus.

newsroom.co.nz

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Cate Macinnis-Ng @loraxcate.bsky.social · 2d

The government knows this is bad policy because they've announced it on a Sunday.
The continued priority of short-term profit over long-term solutions is utterly shameful. Farmers will not be better off when the next cyclone or flood comes. www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Government lowers methane target, rules out methane taxes

The government is lowering its biogenic methane target for the next 25 years, a move opposed by the Greens and environmental activists.

www.rnz.co.nz

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Ms Hooper @mshooper.bsky.social · 2d

“Planet-heating methane is escaping from cracks in the Antarctic seabed as the region warms, with new seeps being discovered at an "astonishing rate," scientists have found, raising fears that future global warming predictions may have been underestimated.”

Scientists discovered something alarming seeping out from beneath the ocean around Antarctica

New seeps of methane are being discovered at an "astonishing rate," scientists have found.

www.rnz.co.nz

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Eddie Clark @dreddieclark.bsky.social · 4d

My sincere belief - & baked into Q & A style teaching I do - is that uni education is best when we learn together. I sincerely do learn things from my students, & students learn from the comments & questions of others as well as from me. Plus it's just much less lonely to have a shared endeavour.

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Yashar Ali 🐘 @yasharali.bsky.social · 8d

Earlier this year, Dr. Jane Goodall sat down for an interview for Brad Falchuk’s new Netflix series, Famous Last Words.

The premise of the series is to interview people on the condition that the interview not air until the subject has passed away.

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

David Hood @thoughtfulnz.bsky.social · 9d

I preferred it when Prime Ministers believed things like every person deserved “someone to love, somewhere to live, something to do, and something to hope for”, and acted on those beliefs.

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 9d

The Greenlandification of Antarctica

Antarctica is beginning to behave more like Greenland, with surface melt, ice dynamics, and climate feedbacks in Antarctica exhibiting "Greenland-like” traits, which have major implications for sea-level rise projections.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The Greenlandification of Antarctica - Nature Geoscience

Climate and ice sheet processes in Antarctica increasingly reflect those observed earlier in Greenland. Applying process insights from Greenland can improve projections of future Antarctic ice and climate behaviour.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 10d

Conventional wisdom says motherhood should wait for tenure as before you land a permanent post, #academia is just not that family friendly🙁

@carersinstemm.bsky.social are calling for change and to celebrate their new report, a Saturday🧵on parenting & academia! 1/9 👩‍🔬🧪🔭⚛️

ℹ️: carersinstemm.co.uk

From 2006. A younger and shell-shocked looking Catherine on a balcony holding a very tiny baby with the mountains of Vancouver in the background. The baby is so new, Catherine still has the pregnant bump.

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Ian Hall @ianhall.bsky.social · 12d

Destabilization of Earth system tipping elements

(Review) suggesting key Earth system tipping points - like the Greenland Ice Sheet, Amazon rainforest, and AMOC - are losing stability and nearing critical thresholds

Interactions may mask warning signs

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Destabilization of Earth system tipping elements - Nature Geoscience

A review of observation-based evidence suggests that four interconnected Earth system tipping elements have moved towards their critical thresholds, highlighting the need for better monitoring and increased mitigation efforts.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 12d

"If we lose hope, we're doomed."

We must continue Dr. Jane Goodall's mission and all fight for the future of the planet.

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

David Cormack @davidcormack.bsky.social · 17d

We watch a people go through an attempted genocide, and we sit back and say you are no people. You have no state.

For you see, we are friends with both you and your murderer.

Luxon says we're friends with both Israel and Palestine

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Julie Fairey (she/her) @juliefairey.bsky.social · 17d

Use “I” statements please Winston. The tens of thousands of NZers who marched, the thousands and thousands more who see this genocide for what it is and who know recognising Palestine is an important symbol of solidarity, your decision does not represent us.

NZ Herald app screenshot with photo of Winston Peters in front of NZ flags. Headline says “Watch: Winston Peters says NZ ‘not ready’ to recognise Palestinian statehood”

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Bill Manhire @pacificraft.bsky.social · Nov 8

.

Gaza

The dead boy tries to open his eyes.
He wants to see the world he is leaving.
But there is nothing to see here,
nothing and nothing, and anyway he is gone.
His parents held him while he died
but they are both dead, too.
Or he held them, no one remembers.

.

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Andrew Geddis @acgeddis.bsky.social · 17d

Worth expressly noting that the ONLY reason given in Peters' speech for why AoNZ should recognise Israel and not Palestine as a state is that Palestine "does not control its own territory". So, we reward Israel for its illegal actions + will keep doing so until it chooses to stop.

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Richard Hills @richardhills.bsky.social · 17d

In a race to stand for nothing, we are increasingly heading for first place.

henry cooke @henrycooke.bsky.social · 17d

BREAKING: Winston Peters says is NZ is "not ready" to recognise Palestinian statehood.

"We do not think the time is now."

He says recognition at this time would be "open for political manipulation by both Hamas and Israel".

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Te Pūnaha Matatini @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social · 18d

In Aotearoa New Zealand, research grants don’t just fund research. They also pay for buildings, admin, IT, and even profit margins. That’s because institutions rely heavily on indirect cost recovery – aka “overheads” – to stay afloat 🧪🧵

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Reposted by Bella Duncan

Bella Duncan @antarcticabella.bsky.social · 28d

Geologists of bluesky, great opportunity at Otago Uni, NZ for a Lecturer in Earth Science! Special shout out to my #biomarker colleagues, the dept has a well set up, near new Org Geochem lab without a PI, with GCMS/FID and HPLC, if anyone wants a change of scene! ⚒🧪🥼🌊
otago.taleo.net/careersectio...

Lecturer/Pūkenga - Geology

Click the link provided to see the complete job description.

otago.taleo.net

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