Thank you Lloyd, what a lovely description. As a long time fan of both you and Seat61, I have just moved New Zealand higher up my list of places to visit. I am sure the speech was or will be brilliant and I look forward to the insights and inspiration you will bring us from this new audience
I have often tried to answer this query in my mind. In which geolocation have I felt more like a stranger in a strange land. The south island of New Zealand or Patagonia, below the strait of Magellan. When one does not recognize the stars overhead or the plants in front of you, if you don't feel like a stranger in a strange land, you don't feel....
Hi Lloyd - Are you coming to Rotorua? I’d love to meet in person and show you our lovely REDWOOD Grove in Whakarewarewa Forest right next to our offices. With a bit of luck and good timing I could get you to see the CLT plant over the hill (a short MTB ride away) at Red Stag TimberLab too!
The comment that the carriages are narrower because the gauge is narrower than standard is a bit misleading, in that the two aren't directly connected: a teeny tube train and a huge Channel Tunnel shuttle are both standard gauge. In fact, the cross-section of narrow-gauge NZ carriages are very similar to standard-gauge British ones: the Northern Explorer's baggage and kitchen cars are converted BR Mk2 carriages.
As for scenic trains in NZ, my favourite is the Christchurch-Picton Coastal Pacific - you're so close to the sea that you can smell the seals! - which is one of the world's few remaining boat trains, connecting with the equally scenic Interislander ferry to Wellington.
But a downside to all three KiwiRail long-distance trains is the cost: they're designed for rich foreign tourists, and flying is often substantially cheaper.
And the NEx's carbon performance could be better: most of the route is electrified (unfortunately at two different voltages and with two gaps) but the train is diesel-hauled throughout.
Exciting to read that you are in New Zealand this week. Also happening in New Zealand this week, we've just launched Fisher & Paykel Home Solutions, which feels very aligned to your approach. Focused on operational carbon, our goal is to support New Zealand and Australia to decarbonise on a significant scale.
For those curious about how to transition to green energy but don’t know where to start or who to trust, Fisher & Paykel Home Solutions delivers an integrated home energy design tailored to location and size, and specified to your carbon goals.
Right now, trying to bring together energy efficient designs with energy generation is difficult, requiring the coordination of multiple siloed consultants and trades across heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and solar.
Fisher & Paykel Home Solutions is a single point, full-service provider of energy designs for new and existing homes, solar only or whole-of-home, building on the 90-year legacy of Fisher & Paykel appliances, to bring green energy home.
Nice Lloyd. As a Kiwi who rode that train a lot when I was younger (although often overnight) it was fantastic to read the outsider's view. I didn't even realise the trains had been significantly upgraded to make it such a great and informative experience. You've inspired me to take the kids on the train next time we go to Wellington. I'm going to post a link to this on my Linkedin. I'm sure KiwiRail will be stoked with the endorsement! (your photos aren't that bad, and your macron game is spot on).
The ever-flying Lloyd Alter. Long live aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
Make varied expansions of the following topic a recurring focus of your messaging. Doing so would be a major contribution to combating global warming.
Consumers (individuals, organizations, businesses, governments) must promptly minimize their greenhouse gas emissions to bridge the gap while we work on long-term green technology and infrastructure. Less heating and less cooling (none between 13C-30C/55F-85F, https://greenbetween.home.blog). Less driving. Less flying. Less meat-eating. Less population growth (2 children max). Do it yourself. Tenaciously encourage others to do it. Tenaciously encourage others to tenaciously encourage others.
Embrace the message and tenaciously introduce the message "business card" to all you encounter. (You can print the business card 12 per 8.5x11 using a file from the Promote page of the website.)
Be a climate superhero - take it to the next level. Promote the message at local events. (Files for posters are available on the Promote page of the website.)
>>"be a climate superhero - take it to the next level."
I'll one-up you.
Let's enter the matrix where we don't leave our nutrient-bathtub pod, enjoy AI-assisted brain microchip implants, and require absolutely nothing because we're prisoners in our own home. That'll solve the climate problem. /smh
Thank you Lloyd, what a lovely description. As a long time fan of both you and Seat61, I have just moved New Zealand higher up my list of places to visit. I am sure the speech was or will be brilliant and I look forward to the insights and inspiration you will bring us from this new audience
" I flew all the way from Toronto to Auckland"
I don't think anyone of consequence holds it against you. It's one hell of a swim!
I have often tried to answer this query in my mind. In which geolocation have I felt more like a stranger in a strange land. The south island of New Zealand or Patagonia, below the strait of Magellan. When one does not recognize the stars overhead or the plants in front of you, if you don't feel like a stranger in a strange land, you don't feel....
>>"some might wonder why one would give up a day of your trip to spend on a train"
... because it's immense fun, comfortable, and relaxing. Seriously, who doesn't like trains??
Hi Lloyd - Are you coming to Rotorua? I’d love to meet in person and show you our lovely REDWOOD Grove in Whakarewarewa Forest right next to our offices. With a bit of luck and good timing I could get you to see the CLT plant over the hill (a short MTB ride away) at Red Stag TimberLab too!
I am sorry, I am just going south from here.
The comment that the carriages are narrower because the gauge is narrower than standard is a bit misleading, in that the two aren't directly connected: a teeny tube train and a huge Channel Tunnel shuttle are both standard gauge. In fact, the cross-section of narrow-gauge NZ carriages are very similar to standard-gauge British ones: the Northern Explorer's baggage and kitchen cars are converted BR Mk2 carriages.
As for scenic trains in NZ, my favourite is the Christchurch-Picton Coastal Pacific - you're so close to the sea that you can smell the seals! - which is one of the world's few remaining boat trains, connecting with the equally scenic Interislander ferry to Wellington.
But a downside to all three KiwiRail long-distance trains is the cost: they're designed for rich foreign tourists, and flying is often substantially cheaper.
And the NEx's carbon performance could be better: most of the route is electrified (unfortunately at two different voltages and with two gaps) but the train is diesel-hauled throughout.
Alas the coastal pacific isn’t running but the bus was pretty wonderful
As someone who uses one of the worst rail systems in the world, Amtrak, I'm envious!
This sounds fantastic. And your photos aren't terrible! It gave me the travel itch...
Exciting to read that you are in New Zealand this week. Also happening in New Zealand this week, we've just launched Fisher & Paykel Home Solutions, which feels very aligned to your approach. Focused on operational carbon, our goal is to support New Zealand and Australia to decarbonise on a significant scale.
For those curious about how to transition to green energy but don’t know where to start or who to trust, Fisher & Paykel Home Solutions delivers an integrated home energy design tailored to location and size, and specified to your carbon goals.
Right now, trying to bring together energy efficient designs with energy generation is difficult, requiring the coordination of multiple siloed consultants and trades across heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and solar.
Fisher & Paykel Home Solutions is a single point, full-service provider of energy designs for new and existing homes, solar only or whole-of-home, building on the 90-year legacy of Fisher & Paykel appliances, to bring green energy home.
https://www.fisherpaykelhomesolutions.com/nz/
Nice Lloyd. As a Kiwi who rode that train a lot when I was younger (although often overnight) it was fantastic to read the outsider's view. I didn't even realise the trains had been significantly upgraded to make it such a great and informative experience. You've inspired me to take the kids on the train next time we go to Wellington. I'm going to post a link to this on my Linkedin. I'm sure KiwiRail will be stoked with the endorsement! (your photos aren't that bad, and your macron game is spot on).
The ever-flying Lloyd Alter. Long live aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
Make varied expansions of the following topic a recurring focus of your messaging. Doing so would be a major contribution to combating global warming.
Consumers (individuals, organizations, businesses, governments) must promptly minimize their greenhouse gas emissions to bridge the gap while we work on long-term green technology and infrastructure. Less heating and less cooling (none between 13C-30C/55F-85F, https://greenbetween.home.blog). Less driving. Less flying. Less meat-eating. Less population growth (2 children max). Do it yourself. Tenaciously encourage others to do it. Tenaciously encourage others to tenaciously encourage others.
Embrace the message and tenaciously introduce the message "business card" to all you encounter. (You can print the business card 12 per 8.5x11 using a file from the Promote page of the website.)
Be a climate superhero - take it to the next level. Promote the message at local events. (Files for posters are available on the Promote page of the website.)
Well Don, I fully expected this comment and I thank you for it. You are right, but it was such a wonderful opportunity.
Ah that's just what we need - more vanity posturing.
Nothing on the "greenbetween" initiative will have any impact or change on the real world.
Remember the iron rule - this is a game where only the big numbers count.
>>"be a climate superhero - take it to the next level."
I'll one-up you.
Let's enter the matrix where we don't leave our nutrient-bathtub pod, enjoy AI-assisted brain microchip implants, and require absolutely nothing because we're prisoners in our own home. That'll solve the climate problem. /smh