Greenpeace has today launched a campaign calling for the creation of the largest protected area on Earth - a 1.8 million square kilometre ocean sanctuary in the Antarctic.

Friday, January 5: In the case brought against the Norwegian Government by Greenpeace Norway for granting new oil licenses to drill in the Arctic, the Oslo District Court reached a decision yesterday afternoon, Norwegian time.

Greenpeace says today's permit issued by New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals is very disappointing and must be the last if the Government are true to their word on climate change.

In June this year, 26-year old Hamilton law student, Sarah Thomson, spent five days in court challenging the Government over climate change targets she called “unambitious and irrational”. The case was the first of its kind in New Zealand.

A renowned marine ecologist at Oregon State University has laid bare the harmful impacts that seismic blasting for oil has on New Zealand’s marine life, including the blue whale.

Greenpeace is warning of possible backdoor taxpayer funding for big irrigation schemes.

Greenpeace Executive Director, Dr Russel Norman, says he’s cautiously hopeful that a Labour-led Government could be a turning point for the environment.

Govt must put search for new oil on hold after release of “disturbing” MfE climate report.