Water Forum meeting notes #5
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22-November-2009 wf5-22nov09.txt

Held at 8pm in the Sand Dance Cafe, 17 attended.

1. Report - DVD night was popular on 8 November, and started promptly @ 8pm. 15 attended that evening, 
including several newcomers responding to our market stall contact work etc. Content -
FLOW: For the Love Of Water - http://www.flowthefilm.com 2008 "documentary investigation into what experts 
label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis.. 
Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing 
practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming 
blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround" + Flow at the UN - http://flowattheun.blip.tv
+ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1149583/ - "How did a handful of corporations steal our water? Water is the 
very essence of life, sustaining every being on the planet. 'Flow' confronts the disturbing reality that 
our crucial resource is dwindling and greed just may be the cause".

Some discussion about local water issues took place, with a review of the suitability of the current venue 
for expanding the monthly DVD nights into the future (to start with 7pm pot-luck shared meals?) under the 
temporarily changed management. [Resolved, by reversion to former Cafe management after this 8Nov meeting.]

2. Agreed - Water Forum 'extra' event - Climate Action Workshop: Water Strategy talk by Dr Tony Raizis, 
nutritional scientist at Christchurch Hospital, and action planning for December, on Sunday 29 November 8pm 
at Sand Dance Cafe, with vegetarian meal from 7pm. - Rik

Much discussion about climate issues was stimulated though, almost overloading the evening - necessary to
hold a special event to explore the climate concern fully. Christmas parade display? More 350.org actions?

3. ... Agricultural history - kumara once grown in South Canterbury. Paleoarcheology - Thames frozen says
climate change is normal, still coming out of an Ice Age. Food production for what $ motive is the issue. 
More debate needed, and there is much denial. Fair CO2 cost distribution? - George / Leo / Brian / Alan

4. ... Ozone hole was repaired, shows good effect of international emmissions regulation. But now reopening - 
increasing methane a major cause? Govt legislative effect? Wastewater treatment energy $ new. Ag' waste too?

5. ... "Heat" by George Monbiot. 2020 goals vs 90% emmissions reduction needed. Unprecedented coal use effect 
and rate of extinctions. Tough recession backdrop though. Relocalise, regain/impart lost skills for future ...

6. Frauke gave a notice re transitiontowns.org.nz Guest Speaker: Steve Earnshaw, orthopaedic surgeon based in 
Timaru, where he heads the Transition Towns group. "How can we - as communities - respond to the challenges 
arising from climate change, resource depletion & an economy based on growth? Transition Towns, Building local 
resilience." St Andrews Church Hall, 107 Marriotts Road, North New Brighton, Friday 27 November 2009 7:30 pm.
Social glue - people need to care about their area first - Rob Hopkins. + www.locavore365.org

7. Rawhiti Park tree cover and community - Sue - another special Water Forum meeting to be arranged soon.
Newsletter coverage by Frauke. News item? Concept plan being worked on by Julie.

8. Waitangi Water Festival, February 2010  - special organising meeting at Julie's 3pm Friday 27 Nov.
[Contact Julie to join the festival committee and special email list - 'creative water' debate]

9. Frauke: reason for meeting? - A multi-group link, + community of interest, share knowledge & speech skill

...

Edit: Fri 27 Nov 2009 11:57:16 NZDT