Nicely put …
As the analogy goes, a frog thrown into hot water will save itself. The slow-boiled one doesn’t notice until the temperature reaches lethal levels. 2023 will be the hottest year on record. That record was previously set seven years ago, in 2016. As King Charles said at Cop28, we are becoming immune to what the records are telling us.
The impacts of the heat are mounting. Warmer seas and a warmer atmosphere contributed to events that brought death and destruction at an alarming rate. In Libya, more than 10,000 people died when a flood swept a city into the sea. Fires burned through Greek islands and Canadian forests. Tropical Cyclone Freddy battered communities in east Africa already pummelled by poverty. Drought and heat made some regions uninhabitable.
The good news is, the answers already exist. In the past year, the UK produced more green energy than ever before. AI forecasts began doing work a million human forecasters couldn’t manage, analysing weather and climate data at an unprecedented rate. The Nasa Swot satellite started measuring where all the water is on Earth, helping to prevent future disasters.
Humans think they are smarter than frogs, but we’ll only save ourselves if we realise that we are the frogs, the source of the heat, and the experimenting psychopaths. Hannah Cloke
Hannah Cloke OBE is a professor of hydrology at the University of Reading
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Farmers Santa Parade
Every year, the Farmers Santa Parade marks the beginning of the festive season in Aotearoa, sprinkling magic, song, and dance down Auckland's Queen Street. Next month, the parade will return for its 91st year with an unmissable line-up of family favourites, including children's television phenomenon Bluey.
Spectators can expect to see the parade hero, Santa, alongside a suite of new characters and floats, including one constructed entirely of LEGO®.
Kiwi fans of Bluey will see their favourite blue pup in person as she makes a trip to Auckland to star on her very own float in the event. Bluey and Bingo will also make a special appearance at Santa's Party at the close of the parade.
After representing Aotearoa at the 2024 Olympics, gold medallist Hamish Kerr will be opening the parade as this year's official grand marshal and leading the iconic procession of festive floats including one inspired by K-pop, in the shape of a giant pink guitar and a nostalgic Kiwiana caravan float that encapsulates summer in Aotearoa.
Local community groups, such as Central Auckland Flip N Fly Circus School and South Auckland Cook Island Community Dance School, will perform throughout the parade, bringing their impressive skills to the street.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure the perfect viewing spot for this cherished holiday tradition.
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Postponement Date: Sunday 1st December 2024
Pre-Parade Entertainment: 12pm – 1pm
Parade: 1 – 2.30pm
Santa’s Party: 2.30pm – 5pm
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Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5% Second half of November
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44.6% 1st December
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17.1% A week before Christmas
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32.1% Whenever you wish
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1.2% Other - I'll share below