Russel Norman
@russelnorman.bsky.social
Father, partner, gardener, swimmer, environmental advocate, lover of life on Earth.
Pinned
Russel Norman
@russelnorman.bsky.social
· Mar 13
'If we approach nature without openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs.' Pope Francis Laudato Si
Reposted by Russel Norman
In today’s NZ Herald
November 26, 2025 at 7:17 PM
In today’s NZ Herald
The UK Govt has confirmed that it will proceed with restrictions on new oil and gas exploration. While not perfect it is a major step forward. There is no way UK will ignore Luxon's breaches of the climate chapter of the NZUK FTA. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Ed Miliband confirms crackdown on North Sea exploration – but new drilling will continue
Strategy paper released with budget allows new oil and gas projects to move ahead if they are linked to existing fields
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The UK Govt has confirmed that it will proceed with restrictions on new oil and gas exploration. While not perfect it is a major step forward. There is no way UK will ignore Luxon's breaches of the climate chapter of the NZUK FTA. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Good step forward by the UK Govt. Leaves the climate obstructionist NZ Govt exposed www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Ed Miliband confirms crackdown on North Sea exploration – but new drilling will continue
Strategy paper released with budget allows new oil and gas projects to move ahead if they are linked to existing fields
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Good step forward by the UK Govt. Leaves the climate obstructionist NZ Govt exposed www.theguardian.com/business/202...
NZ trade agreements w EU and UK include commitments to Paris Climate Agreement and to not subsidise fossil fuels. NZ Govt is plainly breaching this, and EU/UK are asking questions. NZ Govt says EU/UK don't care and have not raised issues. NZ Gov isn't telling truth www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
Billion-dollar trade partners worried about NZ’s climate backdowns
New Zealand has entered into trade deals worth billions of dollars, on the basis that we continue to reduce emissions. Are those deals safe?
www.stuff.co.nz
November 26, 2025 at 9:57 PM
NZ trade agreements w EU and UK include commitments to Paris Climate Agreement and to not subsidise fossil fuels. NZ Govt is plainly breaching this, and EU/UK are asking questions. NZ Govt says EU/UK don't care and have not raised issues. NZ Gov isn't telling truth www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
Reposted by Russel Norman
Why is Chris Bishop sending people speeding into a 'death trap'. When the Ōtaki to Levin highway was 100kmh many died; after the Ardern Govt reduced it to 80kmh no-one died, when Luxon Govt increased it back to 100kmh, the dying restarted. www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/sto...
Why is Chris Bishop Sending People Speeding into a Death Trap? - Greenpeace Aotearoa
“It’s a death trap” said National Party Campaign Committee Chair and Transport Minister Chris Bishop, on September 23, 2025.
www.greenpeace.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Why is Chris Bishop sending people speeding into a 'death trap'. When the Ōtaki to Levin highway was 100kmh many died; after the Ardern Govt reduced it to 80kmh no-one died, when Luxon Govt increased it back to 100kmh, the dying restarted. www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/sto...
Reposted by Russel Norman
Hoggard is minister of animal welfare, where he has extended the farrow crate agony of pigs, minister of food safety, where he has weakened food safety regs, and assoc minister of enviro, where he allowed more freshwater pollution. Just a regular Federated Farmers guy. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Minister Andrew Hoggard assures PM he's following Cabinet rules after complaint
SAFE has made a complaint to the prime minister after the decision to allow the continued use of farrowing crates and mating stalls.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Hoggard is minister of animal welfare, where he has extended the farrow crate agony of pigs, minister of food safety, where he has weakened food safety regs, and assoc minister of enviro, where he allowed more freshwater pollution. Just a regular Federated Farmers guy. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Reposted by Russel Norman
A horrendous report on ABC radio from a Brisbane doctor doing a second tour in Gaza with Medecins sans Frontières. She says the ceasefire is in name only, the genocide continues and the deprivation of basic food, shelter and resources means even the injured haven’t what the need to heal.
November 18, 2025 at 7:31 AM
A horrendous report on ABC radio from a Brisbane doctor doing a second tour in Gaza with Medecins sans Frontières. She says the ceasefire is in name only, the genocide continues and the deprivation of basic food, shelter and resources means even the injured haven’t what the need to heal.
This is quite a good RNZ article article about PFAS 'forever chemicals' in whales. What it doesn't tell you is that Dupont knew these chemicals were dangerous and kept it secret. And now they are everywhere www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC2e... www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
'Forever chemicals' in New Zealand whales and dolphins
Species feeding mid-water were just as exposed to PFAS as coastal Māui dolphins or deep-diving species like beaked whales, new research found.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 AM
This is quite a good RNZ article article about PFAS 'forever chemicals' in whales. What it doesn't tell you is that Dupont knew these chemicals were dangerous and kept it secret. And now they are everywhere www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC2e... www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Bits of car tires end up in the ocean. Why on earth are we covering our playing fields with ground up tyres where the pieces inevitably wash down the stormwater drains? newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/25/t...
Time to kick this marine menace to the kerb
Researchers have narrowed down the single biggest source of microplastic pollution in NZ’s coastal waters – and ways to curb it.
newsroom.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Bits of car tires end up in the ocean. Why on earth are we covering our playing fields with ground up tyres where the pieces inevitably wash down the stormwater drains? newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/25/t...
Reposted by Russel Norman
Hoggard is minister of animal welfare, where he has extended the farrow crate agony of pigs, minister of food safety, where he has weakened food safety regs, and assoc minister of enviro, where he allowed more freshwater pollution. Just a regular Federated Farmers guy. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Minister Andrew Hoggard assures PM he's following Cabinet rules after complaint
SAFE has made a complaint to the prime minister after the decision to allow the continued use of farrowing crates and mating stalls.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Hoggard is minister of animal welfare, where he has extended the farrow crate agony of pigs, minister of food safety, where he has weakened food safety regs, and assoc minister of enviro, where he allowed more freshwater pollution. Just a regular Federated Farmers guy. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
In parallel: NZ Govt and US Govt both moving to weaken protection on freshwater and open up new areas for oil and gas exploration. Far right madness. In One Week, Trump Moves to Reshape U.S. Environmental Policy www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/c...
In One Week, Trump Moves to Reshape U.S. Environmental Policy
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:35 AM
In parallel: NZ Govt and US Govt both moving to weaken protection on freshwater and open up new areas for oil and gas exploration. Far right madness. In One Week, Trump Moves to Reshape U.S. Environmental Policy www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/c...
Reposted by Russel Norman
A depraved and decadent Trump WH dinner for MBS was a stunning low for an American ruling class that's stopped pretending to carry a moral compass
It was really a celebration of death - of democracy, of an overheating planet, and ultimately themselves. My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/ceos...
It was really a celebration of death - of democracy, of an overheating planet, and ultimately themselves. My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/ceos...
The night America’s doomed ruling class gorged on lamb, blood, and oil
For America’s deeply corrupt billionaires, time heals all wounds — even from a murderous Saudi prince’s bone saw.
www.inquirer.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:10 PM
A depraved and decadent Trump WH dinner for MBS was a stunning low for an American ruling class that's stopped pretending to carry a moral compass
It was really a celebration of death - of democracy, of an overheating planet, and ultimately themselves. My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/ceos...
It was really a celebration of death - of democracy, of an overheating planet, and ultimately themselves. My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/ceos...
The first step to defending nature is to understand the war on nature. I've listed out the last two years of the Luxon Govt's war on nature here: www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/sto...
Luxon’s War on Nature Timeline - Greenpeace Aotearoa
It has been nearly 2 years since the formation of the Luxon-led Government. It has been two years of a war on nature.
www.greenpeace.org
November 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The first step to defending nature is to understand the war on nature. I've listed out the last two years of the Luxon Govt's war on nature here: www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/sto...
Reposted by Russel Norman
More and more of rural NZ is being sent back to the era before they had access to safe drinking water. Thanks to Fonterra and unregulated intensive dairy www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...
Darfield water supplies above nitrate contamination reproductive risk levels - Greenpeace Aotearoa
“Absolutely unacceptable”. That’s Greenpeace’s reaction to water testing results today which revealed more Canterbury public water supplies are contaminated with nitrate at levels above those associat...
www.greenpeace.org
November 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM
More and more of rural NZ is being sent back to the era before they had access to safe drinking water. Thanks to Fonterra and unregulated intensive dairy www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...
More and more of rural NZ is being sent back to the era before they had access to safe drinking water. Thanks to Fonterra and unregulated intensive dairy www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...
Darfield water supplies above nitrate contamination reproductive risk levels - Greenpeace Aotearoa
“Absolutely unacceptable”. That’s Greenpeace’s reaction to water testing results today which revealed more Canterbury public water supplies are contaminated with nitrate at levels above those associat...
www.greenpeace.org
November 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM
More and more of rural NZ is being sent back to the era before they had access to safe drinking water. Thanks to Fonterra and unregulated intensive dairy www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...
Reposted by Russel Norman
PRESS RELEASE: Darfield water supplies above nitrate contamination reproductive risk levels www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre... #nzpol
Darfield water supplies above nitrate contamination reproductive risk levels - Greenpeace Aotearoa
“Absolutely unacceptable”. That’s Greenpeace’s reaction to water testing results today which revealed more Canterbury public water supplies are contaminated with nitrate at levels above those associat...
www.greenpeace.org
November 23, 2025 at 7:20 AM
PRESS RELEASE: Darfield water supplies above nitrate contamination reproductive risk levels www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre... #nzpol
If we call it 'development' to move from unsafe drinking water to safe drinking water, does it mean that Fonterra is putting rural NZ on a 'de-development' pathway by removing people's safe drinking water? www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...
Council-supplied tank water in Waimate District at reproductive risk levels - Greenpeace Aotearoa
Tank water supplied to Glenavy residents by the district council is contaminated with nitrate at levels linked to reproductive risk.
www.greenpeace.org
November 22, 2025 at 7:37 PM
If we call it 'development' to move from unsafe drinking water to safe drinking water, does it mean that Fonterra is putting rural NZ on a 'de-development' pathway by removing people's safe drinking water? www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...
Interesting use case for AI in this video from the farmer who feeds her soil test results into AI to get an independent assessment of nutrient needs rather than rely on fertiliser company software analysis ('buy more fert') ! www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHv6...
Recloaking the Bay
YouTube video by Wai Kokopu Incorporated Society
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Interesting use case for AI in this video from the farmer who feeds her soil test results into AI to get an independent assessment of nutrient needs rather than rely on fertiliser company software analysis ('buy more fert') ! www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHv6...
Great Wai Kokopu video on farmers embracing change in the Bay of Plenty to protect nature. Lower stocking rates, more diverse pastures, more diverse farms, lower fertiliser, lower nitrate leaching, more trees birds insects, more freshwater fish, similar profitability. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHv6...
Recloaking the Bay
YouTube video by Wai Kokopu Incorporated Society
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Great Wai Kokopu video on farmers embracing change in the Bay of Plenty to protect nature. Lower stocking rates, more diverse pastures, more diverse farms, lower fertiliser, lower nitrate leaching, more trees birds insects, more freshwater fish, similar profitability. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHv6...
Reposted by Russel Norman
An X user asks Elon Musk why they’re seeing tweets from left-wing lawmakers.
Musk: “Because we are failing very badly with the recommendations algorithm. Doing my best to address this.”
Musk: “Because we are failing very badly with the recommendations algorithm. Doing my best to address this.”
November 21, 2025 at 12:34 AM
An X user asks Elon Musk why they’re seeing tweets from left-wing lawmakers.
Musk: “Because we are failing very badly with the recommendations algorithm. Doing my best to address this.”
Musk: “Because we are failing very badly with the recommendations algorithm. Doing my best to address this.”
Fonterra’s nitrate pollution is in Gore’s town water at high levels. #TooManyCows www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...
Gore nitrate testing results still reaching reproductive risk levels - Greenpeace Aotearoa
Greenpeace Aotearoa is sounding the alarm over the nitrate level in Gore’s town supply, which has reached levels associated with reproductive risks.
www.greenpeace.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Fonterra’s nitrate pollution is in Gore’s town water at high levels. #TooManyCows www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...
NZ Govt is subsidising fossil fuel exploration for $200m plus, want to subsidise an LNG import facility, and is passing the liability for decommissioning old oil and gas fields onto taxpayers. So it is no surprise they don't want to sign up to fossil fuel phase out. www.rnz.co.nz/news/environ...
NZ silent so far on climate summit push for a 'fossil fuels' roadmap
About 80 countries at this year's COP30 meeting want the world to develop a fossil fuel phase-out plan - but New Zealand is still considering whether to join them.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 8:39 PM
NZ Govt is subsidising fossil fuel exploration for $200m plus, want to subsidise an LNG import facility, and is passing the liability for decommissioning old oil and gas fields onto taxpayers. So it is no surprise they don't want to sign up to fossil fuel phase out. www.rnz.co.nz/news/environ...
Reposted by Russel Norman
NZ’s electric car sales dropped 70% last year while global sales rose, but the Transport Minister says his policies aren’t to blame.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/18/g...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/18/g...
Behind the Govt's urgent move to make it cheaper to import dirty cars
Analysis: NZ's electric car sales dropped 70% last year while global sales rose, but the Transport Minister says his policies aren't to blame, writes Marc Daalder
newsroom.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 2:55 AM
NZ’s electric car sales dropped 70% last year while global sales rose, but the Transport Minister says his policies aren’t to blame.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/18/g...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/18/g...