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Dr Howell says the impact of climate change can be clearly seen in the Warkworth district.
More than a decade of pondering climate change and ethical investing has prompted Sandspit thinker Dr Robert Howell to write a book on the subjects.
Issues Behind the News chiefly comprises articles that first appeared in a Rodney Labour Party newsletter, and which were informed by Dr Howell’s membership of two think tanks – the Quaker Institute for the Future, based in North America, and Sustainable Aotearoa New Zealand.
“The articles were intended to bring the Labour Party up to date with human-earth issues, because traditionally the Labour Party has been concerned about human-human issues. It’s left it to the Greens to push the human-earth stuff, but it can no longer afford to do that,” he says.
The cover of the book shows a man re-drawing a map. Dr Howell says we need new maps to guide us through the kinds of journeys which will lead us to living a “good life”.
“The guidance we have traditionally had and the assumptions we have had need to be re-thought,” he says.
Dr Howell says the impact of global warming is plain to see within the Warkworth district – droughts are getting longer and rain, when it does come, is more torrential.
The book also looks at other interlocking challenges including environmental degradation, inequality among nations, and world food supply.
Dr Howell is the former chair of the Council for Socially Responsible Investment in NZ and co-founded the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility. He has a PhD in community health planning and management.
To order a copy of the book, contact Robert Howell, rhowellnz@gmail.com.
Book Giveaway
Mahurangi Matters has one copy of Behind the News to giveaway. To go in the draw, email editor@localmatters.co.nz. Put “Behind the News” in the subject line. Competition closes Sept 28.
