Opinion Editorials
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Column in Otago Daily Times, 24 June 2019
A clean bill of health. Dr Alexandra Macmillan. Otago Daily Times, 24 June 2019.
Strong legislation on addressing climate change can leave us all better off. Read article here.
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Column in Otago Daily Times, 11 March 2019
Striking at the heart of the issue. Dr Alex Macmillan. Otago Daily Times, 11 March 2019.
Children are going on strike over their health and wellbeing while schools are still burning coal. More here.
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Op Ed in NZ Herald, 31 Dec 2015
TPP could trump climate accord. Drs Josh Freeman and Hayley Bennett. New Zealand Herald, 31 Dec 2015
Trade deal gives polluters power to sue governments who try to implement the Paris agreement. More here.
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Op Ed in NZ Herald, 27 Nov 2015
TPP must not block the path to healthy climate action. Drs Alex Macmillan and Rhys Jones. New Zealand Herald, 27 Nov 2015
The path towards a healthy climate will be a rocky one in the coming year. December's global negotiations in Paris are a crucial crossroads for choosing between bold new routes to health through well-designed climate action or continuing to threaten human survival and wellbeing. Meanwhile, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement is about to add another giant obstacle to progress.
More here.
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OpEd NZ Herald Oct 2014
Trade deal needs urgent check up. Dr Joshua Freeman. NZ Herald 31 Oct 2014.
Foreign investors would be given a powerful new lever to delay sound new health regulations for their own commercial interests.
More here.
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OpEd Dom Post May 2014
'Trade accord carries health warning'. Dr's Mark Smith and Anne Maclennan. Dominion Post, 13 May 2014.
Read here.
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Op Ed Nelson Mail May 2013
'Mining Plan a West Coast Disaster'. OpEd by Dr Russell Tregonning, Nelson Mail 24 May 2013.
Read here.
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Feature NZ Herald Sept 2012
'In the heat of battle'. On the fallout from the failed legal challenge by climate change sceptics, including comments by Dr George Laking. Feature article in the NZ Herald, Sept 15 2012.
Read here.
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OpEd Otago Daily Times 18 Jan 2012
Opponents point out hazards of lignite plant. Dr Russell Tregonning. Otago Daily Times 18 Jan 2012.
Despite the known health hazards of coal mining, in September 2010, Bill English opened state-owned Solid Energy's pilot scheme near Mataura, to convert 150,000 tonnes of lignite to briquettes (dehydrated lignite used as a solid fuel). This was the first step in the creation of what may be New Zealand's largest industrial project.
More here.
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OpEd Dom Post June 2011
For our health we must end fossil fuel dependency, Dr George Laking. Dominion Post 17 June 2011
Some people don’t like doctors speaking out about things outside the “health sector”, as some letter writers to The Dominion Post have made clear (May 11, 16, 18, 19).
But one of my tasks as a doctor is to advise about things that may seriously affect the future health of my patients and their families.
More here.