Why Conservation Workers Are Superheroes
Expertise and Experience: With a robust background in Environmental Studies and a dedication dating back to 2004, I'm basically a conservation ninja. My ongoing commitment to saving the planet showcases my deep expertise in the field, making me your go-to hero for all things green.
Community Engagement: I don't just talk the talk; I walk the walk with communities to tackle renewable energy, water conservation, waste reduction, and ecosystem restoration. By getting everyone involved, I'm like the cool kid at the conservation party, making sure communities lead the charge in saving the world – one recycling bin at a time.
Education and Environmental Literacy: I didn't just stop at being a conservation guru; I also became a graduate diploma holder in secondary education, specializing in boosting environmental smarts in New Zealand's education system. I'm not just here to save the day; I'm here to educate the next generation of green warriors.
Community: I am one of the co-founders of the Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust. I am passionate about local engagement and working hands-on to strengthen community ties. By collaborating with communities and turning their conservation aspirations into concrete actions, we are forming a dedicated conservation team that embodies unity and shared goals akin to the teamwork in the Avengers.
Strategic: I prioritize grassroots conservation approaches over top-down methods, emphasizing the importance of community involvement. By immersing myself in local issues and aligning conservation strategies with community values, I aim to be a reliable advocate for environmental preservation, much like Veronica Mars in a quest to protect the planet.
Independent: As an independent contractor, I am dedicated to overcoming obstacles and simplifying tasks related to renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation, and ecosystem restoration, particularly on private lands with unique natural features. Consider me akin to a conservation explorer with a hard hat and a passion for sustainability.
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Published Work
Bond, S., & Watts, C. (2010). Public attitudes towards proposed wind farms: A Trans-Tasman comparison. Australia and New Zealand Property Journal, 12(8), 494.
The renewable energy sectors in Australian (AU) and New Zealand (NZ) have grown rapidly in recent years through government support to reduce greenhouse gases resulting from the use of non-renewable energy sources: coal, oil and gas. With this, there has been increased interest and investment in wind energy. However, a number of wind farm proposals have failed due to opposition from lobby groups. This paper outlines the results of two parallel research studies – one carried out in southwest Auckland, NZ and the other in south-west Western Australia – to investigate community attitudes towards the proposal of a wind farm development in each case study area. The results from the selected community within each country were similar, with the Australian respondents being somewhat more averse to a proposal than NZ respondents. More than two-thirds of the residents (70% NZ, 74% AU) supported a wind farm being built in their area, with 17% NZ (6% AU) neutral and 13% NZ (21% AU) against the respective wind farm. Visual unsightliness (24% NZ, 33% AU) and noise pollution (21% NZ, 31% AU) were listed as main perceived disadvantages.
Sovacool, B. K., & Watts, C. (2009). Going completely renewable: is it possible (let alone desirable)?. The Electricity Journal, 22(4), 95-111.
The great satirist G.K. Chesterton once told a story about an English pub that served poisoned beer. After a few hundred people dropped dead suspicious citizens caught on, tested the beer, and petitioned the local magistrate to repeal the pub’s license. The magistrate responded that before he could take such a drastic course of action, the people had to weigh a problem of great difficulty. He said, ‘‘Have you considered precisely what building you would put in its place?’’1 The ridiculousness of the magistrate’s point is that when something is found bad enough one doesn’t always need to put anything in its place. Just remove it and be glad to be done with it.
Watts, C. A., Schluter, P. J., & Whiting, R. (2005). Public opinion of a proposed wind farm situated close to a populated area in New Zealand: results from a cross-sectional study. Environmental Health, 5(3), 73-83.
In accordance with New Zealand's Resource Management Act 1991, in 2003, electricity generating company Genesis Energy made public its intention to apply for consent to build the Awhitu wind farm. Several community groups claiming to represent the majority opposed this application and in September 2004 consent was declined. The aim was to investigate the attitudes of local community members to the proposed wind farm. A survey was mailed to 500 Franklin residents, systematically selected from the local 2004/2005 telephone directory. Forty questionnaires were returned undelivered. Of the remaining 460, completed questionnaires were returned from 46% (211). Most, 70% (145), residents supported a wind farm being built in their area, with 17% (35) neutral, and only 13% (28) against the farm. There was no statistical difference in respondents' attitudes between sex, age, or residential proximity to the farm. Respondents listed renewable resource (83%), suitability (78%), and environmental friendliness (76%) as main advantages. Visual unsightliness (24%) and noise pollution (21%) were listed as main perceived disadvantages. Contrary to the assertions of several lobby groups, the majority of local residents support the construction of the Awhitu wind farm. Scientifically robust methods are essential to measure appropriately community attitudes, particularly on contentious issues.