Browsing by Author "Weaver, Sean"

Now showing 1 - 18 of 18

Restricted
An Annotated Bibliography of Scientific Publications on the Risks Associated with Genetic Modification
(Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, 2003) Weaver, Sean; Morris, Michael
In order to help facilitate scientific debate on GMO risks a literature search of peer-reviewed science was conducted on GMO risks resulting in the following bibliography. While there is a great deal of published science on genetic modification in general, there is far less that specifically targets the bio-safety issues associated with genetic modification. In order to make scientifically informed decisions relating to the adoption or regulation of this emerging technology, it is important that all of the relevant information is available to decision makers. One of the themes that has coloured the portrayal of the “GE” debate in the popular media is that of science on one side (supporting these innovations) and uninformed emotional arguments on the other. This bibliography is designed to help bring this debate into a scientific arena by providing references to bio-safety concerns that can be obtained by any decision making body. The decision to restrict this bibliography to scientific publications is designed to ensure that the arguments and the information presented has been scrutinised by scientists in the peer review or editorial process and as such should guard against non-scientific contributions to this important scientific debate. This has meant, however, that books written by scientists have been excluded from this bibliography, even though they may provide important contributions to the scientific debate. Of course, the issues surrounding the adoption and regulation of genetic modification are more than scientific, and include ethical, economic, cultural, legal, intellectual property, and liability dimensions. These themes are beyond the scope of this bibliography, which is explicitly focused on biological science.
Restricted
Appropriate Housing Technology in Peru: The Socio-Economic & Cultural Feasibility of Using Tyre-Strips for Seismic Reinforcement of Adobe Houses
(Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, 2006) Markland, Esther Marcela; Charleson, Andrew; Weaver, Sean
Adobe (mud and straw block) construction is the main method of house construction in many developing countries. Simple designs can be built by householders using locally sourced materials. Unfortunately, adobe has very poor seismic resistance, and many people die or are injured in earthquake prone developing countries, from the collapse of their adobe homes. Peru is one of the top ten most seismically active regions in the world, where earthquakes have killed over 70,000 people since 1966. The capital, Lima, was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1746, and despite its extreme seismic risk, currently has a population of 8 million, many of whom live in adobe houses. In 2004, Victoria University of Wellington began research into the reinforcement of adobe buildings using tyre strips derived from used tyres. This promises to be a cheap and effective reinforcement technology. A preliminary cost model determined that used tyres from Wellington alone could supply sufficient tyre strips to reinforce 1,215 adobe houses per year, and that these could be provided free of charge, if production costs were subsidised by savings made by not putting the tyres in landfills. Although this promises to benefit both the New Zealand environment and poor communities in Peru, many previous adobe reinforcement projects have failed to be adopted by the communities that they are intended to assist. A field investigation was therefore conducted to view local conditions, and to determine the socio economic, cultural, organisational and other barriers that may undermine community acceptance of tyre-strip technology, and to obtain in-country data to further refine the existing cost model. During the field study, there was widespread evidence of families living in unsafe adobe buildings, many of which were two or three storeys high. A total of 23 Spanish language interviews were conducted in and around Lima over three weeks, involving community representatives, development aid agencies, research organisations, government departments and logistics companies. This study confirmed that although tyre-strip reinforced adobe is likely to be the most cost-effective technology for adobe reinforcement, there are barriers preventing its uptake by rural communities. It appears that no existing adobe reinforcement technology represents a sustainable solution for poor communities. Nevertheless, tyre-strip technology may be an appropriate technology for use in large scale reconstruction aid programmes that can deliver reinforced houses free of charge, in conjunction with capacity building and community participation.
Open Access
Climate Change and Food Security
(Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, 2008) Weaver, Sean
This paper explores the global trends associated with food security and climate change and the linkages between them. This comes at a time of unprecedented international concern for global food security, against a backdrop of dramatically fluctuating world food prices. Underlying the food security issue is a trend of rapidly growing populations in many developing countries, and projected changes in food production dynamics associated with a warming and drying climate for many regions during the 21st century. This paper looks into demand and supply trends associated with world food security, in an effort to inform a coordinated policy response to this emerging crisis. The final sections of the paper explore the implications for New Zealand, and then reflect on options for a broader global policy response.
Restricted
ENVI314: Environmental Studies: Advanced Environment and Resources: Global Issues
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2006) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
ENVI314: Environmental Studies: Advanced Environment and Resources: Global Issues
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2008) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
ENVI314: Environmental Studies: Advanced Environment and Resources: Global Issues
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2005) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
ENVI314: Environmental Studies: Advanced Environment and Resources: Global Issues
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2007) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
GEOG114: Geography: Environment and Resources: the Foundations
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2007) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
GEOG114: Geography: Environment and Resources: the Foundations
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2005) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
GEOG114: Geography: Environment and Resources: the Foundations
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2008) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
GEOG114: Geography: Environment and Resources: the Foundations
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2006) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
GEOG314: Geography: Advanced Environment and Resources: Global Issues
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2005) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
GEOG314: Geography: Advanced Environment and Resources: Global Issues
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2007) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
GEOG314: Geography: Advanced Environment and Resources: Global Issues
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2006) Weaver, Sean
Restricted
GEOG314: Geography: Advanced Environment and Resources: Global Issues
(Victoria University of Wellington, 2008) Weaver, Sean
Open Access
Reducing Road Transport Carbon Emissions: Options for Government Policy
(Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, 2007) Trodahl, Marth; Weaver, Sean
Worldwide, carbon emissions from fossil fuel use in the transport sector are increasing faster than carbon emissions from any other sector. The transport modes responsible for most of this carbon emission growth are car travel, road freight and air transport (IPCC 2001). New Zealand statistics reflect this trend and show that New Zealand transport sector carbon emissions grew by 42% between 1990 and 2001 (MfE 2006). The growth in New Zealand transport sector carbon emissions is linked to growth in road transport use, which is projected to increase further in the near future (WRC 1999; NZGovt 2002; WCC 2004; WCC 2006). However, carbon emissions (including those from road transport) are playing an increasing role in climate forcing and global climate change (IPCC 2001), and road transport use is increasingly recognised as a contributing factor in a number of local environmental and social challenges (NZGovt 2002; Ray 2006).
Open Access
A Review of Toxicological Research on Sodium Monofluoroacetate (1080) and its Policy Implications
(Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, 2003) Weaver, Sean
Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) is used for large-scale pest control operations in New Zealand, to control the brush tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) (an introduced marsupial pest). Wide-scale opposition to the use of 1080 has grown in recent years with the development of a substantial “anti-1080” lobby. Concerns for public health and effects on non-target animals among critics of 1080 have prompted the Department of Conservation to seek a review of the chemical by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA). In 2002 ERMA declared its intention to undertake this review, but in May 2003 announced that the review would be postponed due to impending adjustments to the HSNO Act. This report was prepared in anticipation of this official review and encompasses an independent evaluation of the peer-reviewed scientific literature on the risks associated with the use of 1080, in order to ascertain the degree to which regulations on 1080 reflect current scientific knowledge of the toxicology of this poison. Key areas of concern revealed in the literature include evidence that 1080 could have endocrine disrupting capabilities, and that it is relatively slow to break down at low temperatures (when microbial activity is low). These two issues are yet to be fully resolved through further research and represent significant gaps in current knowledge. If regulations are to take full account of current science on 1080 they will need to acknowledge and reflect what is known, the gaps in this knowledge, and the risks associated with this uncertainty. Recommendations include further targeted research to fill these gaps in current knowledge, regulatory precaution until such research is completed, and explorations of alternative methods to be used either in conjunction with, or (perhaps in certain areas) instead of this toxin.
Open Access
Submission to NAWAC on the Public Draft Animal Welfare (Pigs) Code Of Welfare 2001
(Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, 2001) Morris, Michael; Weaver, Sean
The SPCA is a not-for-profit organization established for the purpose of preventing cruelty to animals, whether these animals are farmed for the table, wild, or are kept as pets. The Animal Welfare (Pigs) Code of Welfare 2001 concerns farmed animals that are destined for the table. There are a number of farming practices currently permitted in the pork industry and also permitted in the Draft Code that constitute cruelty. This cruelty is not consistent with the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and for this reason the SPCA submits that a number of changes to the Draft Code are required in order to meet the spirit and letter of the Act. The SPCA welcomes the opportunity to make this submission. There are a number of pork industry management changes that are coming into force in the European Union that improve the welfare of farmed pigs in member states. The EU commissioned an independent Scientific Veterinary Committee (SVC 1997) to gather scientific information on pig welfare and write a report. Article 6 of the Council Directive 91/630/EEC lays down the minimum standards for the protection of pigs for the EU and was recently amended following recommendations by the SVC. At the very least, the New Zealand minimum standard for pork farming practice should be consistent with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 1999. There is also opportunity for New Zealand to have a higher standard than what is required by the Act, particularly if we wish to be a world leader in agricultural practice. We note that the NZ dairy industry makes much of our free range cattle when marketing their product in countries where feedlots are the norm. The changes to the Draft Code submitted by the SPCA form an integrated whole and combine animal welfare requirements with improvements in environmental standards. In some cases the recommendations have a dual (or multiple) effect and purpose. For example, the requirement to provide bulk fibrous food in the diet (e.g. straw) serves the purpose of satisfying dietary requirements (satiation), which assists in improving behavioural conditions (providing for the foraging instinct), whilst providing for improved welfare (cushioning on joints and limbs for housed pigs), as well as lowering the emissions to air and water (producing an economic by-product in the form of nitrogen rich compost). The changes that are proposed by the SPCA will require modifications in the quality of husbandry for some pig farmers, as a minimum standard. While some of these changes may require more financial input for those farmers in comparison with the status quo, we submit that the status quo (for some farmers) is in breach of the Animal Welfare Act and therefore is not a sustainable or legitimate situation. The Animal Welfare Act (1999) is clear on a number of points that relate to the New Zealand pork industry. Section 4 of the Act requires animals to be able to display normal patterns of behaviour. This point is not under debate: it has been decided, the New Zealand public requires it, and now it needs to be enforced. Section 10 of the Act requires animals to be cared for in accordance with good practice and scientific knowledge. The following submission presents ample scientific evidence to support significant improvements in the husbandry of pigs.