Switch – The Movie. What is the future of Energy?

Posted on October 8, 2013 by secretary

“Switch” is a film produced as part of a project of the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas. The project’s aims are to build a base of understanding about Energy, to promote its conservation and efficient use and to provide an objective view on how the world can meet both increasing demand for energy and environmental goals.

In September 2013, the Hawke’s Bay Branch of the Royal Society teamed up with the Institute of Professional Engineers NZ to host a screening of the film, followed by a discussion led by a panel of experts.

In the film, Dr Scott Tinker, Director of the Bureau, leads the viewer on a 90-minute tour to illustrate the different ways the world produces the energy it consumes. Using the amount of energy the average person in the Western world consumes per year as a handy metric, he compares the amount of energy each primary or secondary source can produce. He vividly makes the point that despite measures to conserve energy and increased production efficiency, global demand will continue to grow in step with the economies in developing countries such as China and India.

“Switch” owes its title to the notion that, given the earth’s finite resources and mankind’s environmental consciousness, at some point in the future, oil and coal as primary sources of energy will be overtaken by cleaner and more sustainable alternatives (gas, nuclear, and renewables such as hydro, wind, geothermal and solar). “When,” it asks, “is that likely to take place, and how will the energy mix look when it does?”

Following a break for refreshments, we reconvened to hear the views of Geothermal Energy specialist Ian Thain, Electrical Engineering Consultant John Geoghegan, and John Penny from ABB Power Electronics. They were able to give a New Zealand perspective on this topic and answer some of the many questions that the film had generated in our audience of over 70.

We thank Eastern Institue of Technology (EIT) for hosting the screening at their Taradale campus.

To stage this event, the HB Branch of Royal Society purchased the rights to show the film for educational purposes. If any schools or colleges would like to host a screening, we would be happy to help; please contact Antony Steiner using the “Council” link at the top of this web page.

Reviewed by Antony Steiner

2013 Hawke’s Bay Science Fair

Posted on September 19, 2013 by secretary

The 2013 Science Fair was by all accounts a great success. There were 180 entries, with 30% achieving Commended, Highly Commended or Outstanding awards. The large number of entries gave the judges a much larger than anticipated workload. Their diligence and commitment is once again commended as they read, questioned and supported the students.

The major sponsor of the 2013 Science Fair was Eastern Institute of Technology. EIT also hosted the event, provided considerable staff support and gave senior student entrants a tour of the science facilities. Many other organisations, including our Branch, also provided awards.

The Hawke’s Bay Branch sees the Science Fair as one of the very important events of the year. We are fully focused on elevating the role of science, especially among the new generation who will be the leaders of research and development in years to come.

Acknowledging this, the Branch once again sponsored prizes. We made the following Science and Technology Fair Awards in August 2013:

Winner of the Hawke’s Bay Branch of the Royal Society of NZ Scientific Award for excellence in science or technology in a Year 9-13 exhibit was Hannah Brownrigg of Woodford House school for her project “Maize moisture management”.

Winner of the Hawke’s Bay Branch of the Royal Society of NZ Scientific Award for excellence in science or technology in a Year 7-8 exhibit was Oliver Wilson of Sherwood School for his project “Colourful Chromatography”.

Winner of the Hawke’s Bay Branch of the Royal Society of NZ Scientific Award for merit in science or technology was Max Simcox of Puketapu School for his project “Up & Go”.

We again congratulate these students, and all the others that won awards.

Plants that changed history

Posted on September 4, 2013 by secretary

Dr Ross Ferguson ONZM FRSNZ. 7:30pm Tuesday 27 August 2013

Branch members and guests gathered to hear Dr Ferguson’s lecture at the Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium. We are grateful to Dr Ferguson for coming to speak with us, and the the Planetarium for hosting the evening.

Dr Ferguson says that rather than study only the actions of individual men and women, of governments or of economic forces, we should also look at plants because it is plants that ultimately determine the quality and course of human life. Most of the foods that form part of our normal diet, we would not think of as exotic. And this shows just how blasé we have become.

Dr Ferguson’s thought provoking talk considered the implications of the pursuit of some addictive plants and was illustrated by many paintings and engravings. The socially accepted addictions discussed include tea, coffee, sugar and chocolate. Staple foods such as potatoes and grains have had remarkably less influence on history than the more lucrative extras.

The domestication of a vast array of foods has determined the way we can dine today. It has also encouraged world exploration- spices; created a commodity second only to oil – coffee; started wars – tea and opium; led to population boom and bust – potato; and believed to have created happiness, sobriety and higher thought – coffee and sugar.

Dr Ross Ferguson, FRSNZ has worked with DSIR and then Plant & Food Research mainly on the biology of kiwifruit and related species. He made a detailed study of kiwifruit, their origin in China and the process of domestication leading to them becoming New Zealand’s most important horticultural export.

Reviewed by Phillipa Page

11 September 2013: Victoria University of Wellington Public Lecture Series

Posted on August 20, 2013 by secretary

Wednesday 11 September, 5.30pm–8.00pm, Eastern Institute of Technology, Gloucester Street, Taradale, Napier

Victoria University of Wellington invites you to a free public lecture by Professor Tim Stern from the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences and Professor Lionel Carter from the Antarctic Research Centre.

Exploration, earthquakes and resources of Zealandia

Over the past few years, we have experienced severe earthquakes in Canterbury and, most recently, in the Cook Strait region. Meanwhile, the Gisborne area has been subjected to a different type of ‘slow earthquake’—earthquakes that take minutes or hours to occur, rather than the few seconds normally associated with regular quakes. Amongst all this upheaval, earthquakes create warps and structures in the earth that trap resources such as geothermal steam, oil, gas and valuable minerals. In this talk, Professor Tim Stern will present results from some of the exploration programmes he has been involved in, to investigate both earthquakes and the related resource potential of New Zealand.

An island in a changing ocean—how New Zealand’s ocean is responding to modern climate change

New Zealand sits between the South Pole and the Equator, so it’s not surprising that our climate and ocean are strongly affected by natural forces coming from Antarctica and the tropical Pacific Ocean. The eastern North Island, for example, has flooded under subtropical cyclones and has chilled under southerly storms that extend from the Ross Sea. Professor Lionel Carter will examine how these great north and south weather machines are behaving under modern climate change and what may occur in the future. This is not a ‘doom and gloom’ story, but a discussion of actual observations that will contribute to the nation being better prepared for the challenges ahead.

Please email rsvp@vuw.ac.nz with ‘Napier Lecture’ in the subject line or phone 04-463 6390 by Monday 9 September. Lecture will be cancelled if less than 40 people register.

2013 August

Posted on August 11, 2013 by secretary

Welcome to the August 2013 Newsletter of the Hawke’s Bay Branch of the Royal Society. This newletter is the first sent from our new website. It collates recent postings of coming and recent lectures and other events, and notices to Branch members. Please let us know if you strike any glitches!

If you are not subscribed to personally receive these newsletters, you can do so for free on our Newsletters webpage. You can unsubscribe at any time.

If you would like to join the Branch as a member, you can download the application form here. The annual subscription for the current year is $20.

Regards

Dan Bloomer
Branch President

Lectures and events

August

Plants that changed history

Dr Ross Ferguson ONZM FRSNZ. 7:30pm Tuesday 27 August 2013 at the Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium, Chambers St Napier.

Rather than study only the actions of individual men and women, of governments or of economic forces, we should also look at plants because it is plants that ultimately determine the quality and course of human life. Most of the foods that form part of our normal diet, we would not think of as exotic. And this shows just how blasé we have become.

What we have is really a remarkable range of food – truly exotic food in the sense that it is alien: introduced from abroad: brought in from outside. The movement of plants and foodstuffs from one country to another has had many consequences. The talk will consider the implications of the pursuit of some addictive plants and is illustrated by many paintings and engravings. The socially accepted addictions discussed include tea, coffee, sugar and chocolate. Opium, potatoes and breadfruit will also be mentioned.

September

Switch: The Movie. What is the future of Energy?

5:30 PM, Thursday 26 September, Lecture Theatre 1, Eastern Institute of Technology, Taradale.

The Hawke’s Bay Branches of the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand are combining with the Eastern Institute of Technology to present a special screeing of the film, “Switch”.

Following the screening, there will be a short break for a drink and nibbles, before an invited panel of energy experts lead a discussion of the meaning and implications for New Zealand. The event is anticipated to finish by 8:15 PM.

What does the future of energy really hold? Join energy visionary Dr. Scott Tinker on a spectacular global adventure to find out.

Energy is the foundation of modern life. Our transportation, global commerce, food and water, housing, medicine, communications and computing all depend on it. Yet energy is in a sweeping period of transition. Renewables are entering the landscape. Unconventional gas and oil are changing our ideas of supply. Opinions on nuclear are shifting. Carbon concerns may, or may not, affect global production and consumption.

Dr. Tinker explores the world’s leading energy sites, from coal to solar, oil to biofuels, many highly restricted and never before seen on film. He gets straight answers from the people driving energy today, international leaders of government, industry and academia. In the end, he cuts through the confusion to discover a path to our future that is surprising and remarkably pragmatic.

Switch is part of the Switch Energy Project, a film, web, and educational effort designed to build a balanced understanding of energy.

Contacting Us

You can contact us via our Branch email, hawkesbay.rsnz@gmail.com

Science, Innovation and Economic Prosperity: Sir Peter Gluckman

Posted on August 11, 2013 by secretary

Sir Peter Gluckman presented two lectures on 31 July 2013 entitled “Science, innovation and economic prosperity”.

The first lecture at Lindisfarne College in Hastings was for educationists and students. The second at the Eastern Institute of Technology was for our members, community and business leaders and the general public. These were excellent presentations for a passionate champion of science and objective data for policy development.

Sir Peter outlined a number of the roles he has and why he feels so strongly about increasing research and innovation in New Zealand. Comparing New Zealand to other countries, he finds marked gaps in research policy and culture and in economic performance. Through various initiatives, he believes we can make a difference, in particular if we support and invest in our young researchers and innovators.

Sir Peter Gluckman, KNZM FRSNZ FMedSci FRS, is Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister.

He has received numerous awards from scientific societies and academies. In 2001 he was awarded New Zealand’s highest scientific honour, the Rutherford Medal, and is the only New Zealander elected to be a Foreign Member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In 2011, Sir Peter was awarded the inaugural Callaghan Medal for outstanding contribution to science communication, in particular for raising public awareness of the value of science to human progress.

Sir Peter’s visit to Hawke’s Bay was made possible through the support of the Royal Society of New Zealand and Massey University.

2013 Hochstetter Lecture: Dr Mark Quigley

Posted on August 11, 2013 by secretary

The 2010-2012 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence: pushing the limits of geological seismology using backyard science

Dr Quigley described how the largest CES earthquakes caused geologic and geomorphic processes that changed the Canterbury landscape. Some of these changes lasted only hours and others will persist in the geologic record for thousands to millions of years or longer.

Using numerous examples, he described how careful documentation of the geomorphic and geologic effects of the Canterbury earthquake sequence, and comparing these with instrumental seismic data, is important because it helps to define the seismic thresholds for generating these phenomena and it enables paleoseismologists to better interpret these features when they are observed in the geologic record.

Dr Quigley’s heavily illustrated talk summarised the impacts of the Canterbury earthquake sequence and showed new evidence for the timing, extent, and conditions of prehistoric earthquakes in the Canterbury region, including penultimate rupture on the Greendale Fault, prehistoric liquefaction in eastern Christchurch, and prehistoric rockfall in the Port Hills south of Christchurch.

Better attention to the geologic record will help us to avoid further land planning mistakes and increase societal and financial resilience to future earthquakes both in Christchurch and elsewhere in New Zealand.

Dr. Mark C. Quigley is Senior Lecturer in Active Tectonics and Geomorphology in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Canterbury. www.drquigs.com/

Einstein’s Universe: Professor Brian Foster and violinist Jack Liebeck

Posted on August 11, 2013 by secretary

Professor Brian Foster presented his lecture entitled “Einstein’s Universe” at the Municipal Theatre, Napier, on Tuesday 16 July. He was accompanied by violinist Jack Liebeck. Their illustrated talk covered the grand sweep of modern physics – from Einstein’s Theory of Relativity to the Large Hadron Collider and the Higgs Boson – illustrated with the violin music that Einstein loved to play.

Widely acclaimed in the press and featured on the BBC, Brian and Jack have presented the illustrated talk Einstein’s Universe around the world and toured New Zealand in July 2013.

Brian Foster is Professor of Experimental Physics at Oxford and Alexander von Humboldt Professor at the University of Hamburg. He is European Director of the Linear Collider Collaboration at CERN, Switzerland.

Jack Liebeck, ‘Young British Performer of the Year’ and founder of The Fibonacci Sequence, has established a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young violinists. He has appeared in major venues across Europe and recorded to enormous critical acclaim both on CD and with the BBC. Jack plays the ‘Ex-Wilhelmj’ Guadagnini dated 1785.

The lecture was followed at the same venue by a concert of chamber music that Einstein played and loved. This special event was organised by Chamber Music New Zealand and the Royal Society of New Zealand. It featured Jack Liebeck, Victoria Sayles (violin), Julia Joyce (viola), Andrew Joyce (cello) and Stephen De Pledge (piano). The music was varied, with different combinations of members in each of four main sets.

2013 June

Posted on July 22, 2013 by secretary

2013 Hochstetter Lecture

The 2010-2012 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence: pushing the limits of geological seismology using backyard science

Dr Mark Quigley

Senior Lecturer in Active Tectonics and Geomorphology, University of Canterbury

7.30 pm, Monday 22 July 2013,

at Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium, Chambers St, Napier

The Canterbury earthquake sequence (CES) started with the 2010 moment magnitude (Mw) 7.1 Darfield earthquake and includes thousands of Mw ≥ 3 aftershocks, most notably the fatal 22 Feb Mw 6.2 Christchurch earthquake. The largest CES earthquakes caused geologic and geomorphic processes that changed the Canterbury landscape. Some of these changes lasted only hours and others will persist in the geologic record for 10³ to 10⁶ yrs or longer. Careful documentation of the geomorphic and geologic effects of the Canterbury earthquake sequence and comparing these with instrumental seismic data is important because it helps to define the seismic thresholds for generating these phenomena and it enables paleoseismologists to better interpret these features when they are observed in the geologic record. This talk will summarize the impacts of the CES and show new evidence for the timing, extent, and conditions of prehistoric earthquakes in this region, including penultimate rupture on the Greendale Fault, prehistoric liquefaction in eastern Christchurch, and prehistoric rockfall in the Port Hills south of Christchurch. Better attention to the geologic record will help us to avoid further land planning mistakes and increase societal and financial resilience to future earthquakes both in Christchurch and elsewhere in New Zealand.

Admission: Gold coin donation from members of the public, bookings not required

Special Lecture to the branch and general public

Science, Innovation and Economic Prosperity

Sir Peter Gluckman

Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister

5.30 pm, Wednesday 31 July 2013,

at Lecture Theatre 1, Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), 501 Gloucester St, Taradale

After training as a physician specialising in paediatrics, Sir Peter has spent the greater part of his professional life in scientific research. He founded the world-class Liggins Institute and is a globally renowned thinker in the field of endocrinology, with a particular focus on foetal and child growth. He has received numerous awards from scientific societies and academies. In 2001 he was awarded New Zealand’s highest scientific honour, the Rutherford Medal and is the only New Zealander elected to be a Foreign Member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In 2011, Sir Peter was awarded the inaugural Callaghan Medal for outstanding contribution to science communication, in particular for raising public awareness of the value of science to human progress.

In this lecture Sir Peter will address the role of community and business in science, business and economic prosperity. This is a valuable opportunity to hear and contribute to discussions that can influence national policy makers.

Admission: Gold coin, bookings not required – but audience size will be limited so we recommend you get there early. Note the time and location for this event are different from usual!

Science and Music – Einstein’s Universe

Tuesday 16 July at 5.30 pm at the Municipal Theatre Napier Professor Brian Foster (Oxford and Hamburg universities) will present a lecture entitled “Einstein’s Universe”, accompanied by violinist Jack Liebeck. Professor Foster and Jack Liebeck interweave music and science in a presentation which links Einstein’s favourite instrument, the violin, with many of the concepts of modern physics that he founded.

At 8 pm at the same venue there will be a 100 minute concert of chamber music that Einstein played and loved. This special event is organized by Chamber Music New Zealand and the Royal Society of New Zealand. We are very grateful to RSNZ for choosing Hawke’s Bay as one of the venues for this event. Entry to this event is not free – tickets can be bought from Ticketek. Branch members can get more information at www.chambermusic.co.nz or by calling 0800 CONCERT (266 2378).

Branch administration changes

The 139^th Annual General Meeting of the branch was held at 7.00 pm Thursday 20 June at the Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium, prior to the lecture by Dr Vincent Bus. The minutes will be circulated later, but some changes to Council need to be noted right now. At the AGM Dan Bloomer was elected President of the Branch, with Lynne Trafford elected Vice-President. Antony Steiner was elected to council and Willis Dark resigned. Jeff Reid now becomes Immediate Past President. A meeting of the new council was held on Tuesday 25 June 2013. At that meeting Carol Larson was confirmed as Secretary, and Jennifer Hartley accepted the offer to remain as Treasurer.

Jennifer is on to it already – you may have noticed subscription invoices in your mail! Do please help us by dealing with these promptly.

Upcoming lectures and events

Tuesday 27 August Dr Ross Ferguson ONZM FRSNZ, will address us on “Plants that changed history”. Ross’s research contributed greatly to kiwifruit becoming NZ’s most important horticultural export. The lecture will be illustrated with many paintings and engravings. And apparently Ross will also discuss the implications of some “socially acceptable addictions”! The lecture will be held at the Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium, Chambers St Napier (on the grounds of Napier Boys High School).

Leadership Week

Members may be interested in some events being run in Hastings from 8-12 July… Check them out at http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/leadership-week-2013#register

2013 AGM

Posted on June 21, 2013 by secretary

The 139th Annual General Meeting of the Branch was held at 7.00 pm Thursday 20 June at the Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium, Chambers St, Napier. It was chaired by Dan Bloomer.

The Minutes of the 138th AGM were taken as read and passed unanimously.
Retiring President Jeff Reid was absent. His report was read to the meeting and accepted. Dan thanked Jeff in his absence for his very significant work and achievement during his tenure as Branch President.
The treasurer’s report was presented by Jennifer Hartley. Branch accounts had already been circulated to members. They were proposed by the treasurer and passed unanimously.
Dan Bloomer was elected as President
Lynne Trafford was re-elected as Vice-President
Jennifer Hartley, Michael Broadbent and Jenny Dee were re-elected to Council. Antony Steiner was elected to the Council.
The Annual subscription remains at $20.
Willis Dark retired from Council after a number of years as a member. Willis was thanked for his commitment and activities over the time of his involvement and asked to forward the Branch’s thanks to the Faraday Centre members that hosted Branch meetings in recent years.

The AGM closed at 7:25pm and was followed by a lecture from Dr Vincent Bus.