Newsletter March 2026
Webinars for 2026
Classical economics would have us believe our only choice is between economic growth or decline.
This belief has brought us to the point where, although the timing might be in question, the real choice we have to make is between managed decline or chaotic collapse.
This is the issue that motivates our webinar speakers in the first of this year’s programme.
It begins on April 1 at 7.30 with a discussion of the issues raised by Luke Kemp in his book Goliath’s Curse: the history and future of societal collapse. Kemp is a guest at the Auckland Writers Festival in May.
This is followed on April 8 by a webinar titled Electrifying the Titanic, given by Dr Mike Joy (details below).
Our webinar topic for May is under discussion, but on June 10 Dr Jamie Hosking, senior lecturer in the School of Population Health, Auckland University will present his research on Climate and Health.
Come Discuss our Interview with Luke Kemp, Author of Goliath: The History and Future of Societal Collapse
You can view the interview with Luke here:
Because of its length, we are arranging for a discussion of the issues raised for a separate event on 1 April. Bring your questions and ideas and participate in the discussion.
Date: Wednesday, 1st April 2026
Time: 7:30PM
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82714358561?pwd=boR1HaxXBGPjg05a7ClP8gwbnntRAh.1
Meeting ID: 827 1435 8561
Passcode: 543473
Electrifying the Titanic
Electrifying the Titanic is a useful analogy to understand the limitations of the “electrify everything” proposed solution to humankind’s dilemma.
Of all the presumed so called ‘solutions to our climate crisis’ this rallying cry is central to the ‘net-zero’ call - no need for real change, just carry on as we are but with electric stuff rather than fossil powered, net-zero 2050, no worries.
But the reality is the climate crisis is far from our only existential threat,
Electrifying New Zealand would not in any way mitigate all the other existential crises we face here and globally, in fact it would exacerbate most of them, because they are all (just like climate change) driven by overshoot.
Date: Wednesday, 8th April 2026
Time: 7:30PM
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85643265503?pwd=bcXAXLxklNwJscZ8dPCQGxwXaCopb6.1
Meeting ID: 856 4326 5503
Passcode: 390464
Mike Joy MSc, PhD (Ecology) is a Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer in Environmental Science at the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Mike’s research includes ecological modelling, freshwater bioassessment, environmental policy, biophysical limits to growth and the role of energy in society.
Mike is an outspoken advocate for environmental protection in New Zealand and for this has received several awards including an Ecology in Action award from the NZ Ecological Society, the Charles Fleming Award for environmental achievement in 2013 and in 2023 the Callaghan Medal for science communication from the Royal Society of New Zealand. In 2015 he was awarded the Morgan Foundation inaugural River Voice Award and in 2017 the inaugural NZ Universities Critic and Conscience award.
Earth Day and Earth Overshoot Day
Earth Overshoot Day, July 25th in 2025, marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s ‘Earth Overshoot Day’ 2026 is April 10th, so we would need almost 4 Earths if everyone lived as we do! We need to consume less, and care more about the consequences of our overconsumption.
The official theme for Earth Day 2026 (April 22nd) is “Our Power, Our Planet”.
“Progress does not happen in silence. It happens when people show up. Environmental progress is built through everyday action. Clean air, safe water, and climate resilience aren’t optional - they are essential. Every voice matters. Every action counts.”
See https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2026/ for ideas on actions you could create in your community, and https://www.nelsontasmanclimateforum.nz/2025/04/04/take-the-jump-ambassador-training/ for individual actions.