Element Magazine - July 2014 Element Magazine - July 2014 | страница 3

contents The Blue Economy 10 James Russell Element editor T here’s two ways the coal industry can go. Down at a controlled pace, or down in a series of busts and moderate recoveries. But, as the biggest culprit in climate change, down it must go. Globally, eventual action on emissions will strand fossil fuel assets by assigning them a true carbon price, rendering them too expensive. But the reverse appears to be true for coal, with current low prices prompting an early stranding. It caused the brutal loss of 500 Solid Energy jobs here. Only 1500-odd jobs now remain in the NZ coal industry. The hardy folk of the Orkney Islands depended on the local fossil fuels since Norse times. But just as the peat began to run out in the late 60s, oil was discovered in the North Sea, re-invigorating the economy. Realising that, too, must come to an end, the Orcadians began a three-decade green revolution which now sees them at the global forefront of wave and tidal renewable energy technologies. These kinds of things can happen in our own coal towns, most of which currently have lower than average income levels than the region at large. NZ uses coal for electricity, dairy processing , agriculture and heating. All of these can be replaced with renewable alternatives, and relatively quickly. More difficult is substituting the coal used in making steel, but even that’s possible. Blenheim business CarbonScape can turn waste wood into carbon-zero ‘green coke’, and already has a contract with NZ Steel. All it needs is the financial means. Coal must go. The exciting thing is figuring out what we can replace it with. Business Thinking beyond green Page 10 Export opportunity ...............................................14 Clean technology ..................................................17 Protecting the legend Mandela’s bodyguard speaks Page 6 Time for neonic pesticides to go ............................7 How much solar PV do you need? .........................9 The GE debate Engineered food on our shelves Page 20 Planet 6 Hot water heat pumps .........................................22 Rise of the wood stove .........................................24 Editor: James Russell [email protected] Co-founder and brand publisher: Gavin Healy, Viridian Media Design: Tamara Nyholt | Online: Nina Fowler Contributors:Ted Baghurst (photography), Stephen Jones, Jamie Joseph, Penny Nelson, Nigel Parry, Te Radar, Malcolm Rands, Paurl Ravlich, Rebecca Reider, Jacki Robertson, Duncan Stewart, Helen Twose, Logan Wait. Advertising enquiries: [email protected] | 09 373 6096 The next issue of Element is out on August 25, 2014. Wellbeing 20 Follow us: twitter.com/elementmagnz Element is a monthly supplement published by The New Zealand Herald in association with Viridian Media. SOLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS FROM POWER TECHNOLOGY POWER TECHNOLOGY 0800 76 93 76 or email: [email protected] www.powertech.co.nz For over 30 years New Zealanders have trusted Power Technology with their power system needs. If efficiency, reliability and peace-of-mind are important to you or your clients, call us before you make a decision about a ground or roof-mount solar energy system. Visit www.powertech.co.nz to see many of the great sites designed and managed by Power Technology using only premium quality equipment. facebook.com/elementmagazine The content of Element magazine is organised around the triple bottom line philosophy – that of people, planet and prosperity. For a free, no-obligation introduction to Solar Power for you or your clients home, business or farm, call us today 0800 76 93 76 / 09 836 6744 or email [email protected]