Latest science

It pays off to pay landowners to keep trees

Today 10:00am - Paying landowners not to cut down trees is cheaper than the carbon-related costs the destruction of the forests would cause, new research shows.

Public doesn't need scientific climate consensus

Today 10:00am - Climate change campaigns that focus on correcting public beliefs about scientific consensus are likely to backfire and undermine policy efforts, according to an expert commentary.

Auckland could face a Japan-like climate

17 Jul 17 - Summer in Auckland could, by the end of the century, be as hot as summer in Yokohama is now, a new report says.

Global database gives more power to scientists

13 Jul 17 - Climate scientists will be able to more accurately study Earth’s temperature changes, thanks to a global database.

And now, the weather: Prepare for 10,000 years of drought

13 Jul 17 - Climate history locked in stalagmite evidence warns of 10,000 years of drought – 100 centuries – to come in the Middle East.

Environment officials to get new science advice

6 Jul 17 - The Ministry for the Environment is to get a new science adviser.

Climate change will worsen US poverty

5 Jul 17 - Yet another study has exposed the cruel cost of climate change as it increases US poverty. It could be worse than the Great Recession.

Half-a-degree makes all the difference, say scientists

3 Jul 17 - HALF-A-DEGREE of warming made a big difference to the type of weather Earth experienced in the past, scientists say.

Science splits ranks over fossil fuel phase-out

28 Jun 17 - US academics are arguing with ferocity about how to achieve a fossil fuel phase out. But, for now, the debate is entirely academic.

COUNTRY CALL: Farmers want ETS and water price

21 Jun 17 - Parts of the agricultural sector are calling for farming to be included in the Emissions Trading Scheme and for a price on water.

How solar power can save lives and money

21 Jun 17 - US scientists have just worked out how many lives, and at what price, solar power can deliver.

OPINION: Adaption versus mitigation

20 Jun 17 - Adaptation is about survival. Mitigation is about finding and implementing solutions to prevent the need to go into survival mode, says DR ANN SMITH chief executive of Enviro-Mark Solutions

Arctic icebergs freeze climate research plans

19 Jun 17 - Canadian scientists have to think again as unusual Arctic warmth puts shipping at risk and icebergs freeze climate research plans.

FISH FACTS: Scientists say our claims are biased

15 Jun 17 - New Zealand’s claims that its commercial fisheries are sustainably managed are under fire from international scientists.

COMPUTER GAMES: Science invests $18m in super stuff

9 Jun 17 - NIWA is investing $18 million in new supercomputers that will significantly enhance scientists’ abilities to solve crucial issues facing the country.

Warmth will worsen wet and dry extremes

8 Jun 17 - Wet and dry extremes across the world will become more marked as the planet heats up, evidence from past climates shows.

GMO crops could expect a brighter future

31 May 17 - Genetically modified crops remain controversial, but scientists still have faith that they will help both to replace fossil fuels and to feed the world.

Global energy efficiency would slash CO2 emissions

30 May 17 - Energy-efficient production could cut global carbon dioxide emissions by a quarter, a new study shows.

BOB ON THE JOB: Dylan got it right, a hard rain's gonna fall

30 May 17 - Europe, North America and tropical regions could all face even harder rainfall if fossil fuel emissions continue to increase global warming.