Politecol

Featured image: Annihilate, really? – show me the evidence

Annihilate, really? – show me the evidence

- Wayne Linklater • Dec 18, 2013

The nation missed an important opportunity at Raglan. If cats have been removed from the Raglan community then, had we the time beforehand to prepare, we could have tested whether cats were a beneficial urban predator, as claimed here and here. Cats on evidence. Evidence on cats… and their relationship with other … Read More

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Featured image: Cats can’t kill it, if it is not there

Cats can’t kill it, if it is not there

- Wayne Linklater • Dec 13, 2013

For cats to be a “beneficial urban predator” they must largely kill the exotic predators and competitors of native animals. Dr. John Flux believes his 17-year record of the prey one cat brought to him [1] proves that cats are good for native wildlife in cities. His belief featured prominently in the media to … Read More

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Featured image: There is always more than one cat

There is always more than one cat

- Wayne Linklater • Dec 07, 2013

Cats might be a “beneficial urban predator” according to Dr. John Flux and his conclusion featured prominently in the media to have a major influence on the public debate about cats and native wildlife. But Dr. Flux’s conclusion has relied heavily for evidence from just one cat [1]. Dr. John Flux, and the … Read More

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Featured image: Presence of native species, not evidence all is hunky-dory

Presence of native species, not evidence all is hunky-dory

- Wayne Linklater • Nov 26, 2013

Just because native species persist in our backyards despite being hunted by predators, like cats, it does not mean their populations are healthy. Our backyard can be a sink-hole for native species. Each killed is replaced by recolonisers who are themsleves be killed (photo source: inhabitat.com) Cats might be a “beneficial urban predator” according to Dr. John Flux. Read More

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Dr. Flux’s cat misleads us

- Wayne Linklater • Nov 18, 2013

Our cats bring us only a fraction, less than half, of their prey and we are less likely to see the small, more palatable prey, like small reptiles and nestlings (Source: www.kittycat.co.za). Cats are a “beneficial urban predator” according to Dr. John Flux and his conclusion featured prominently in the media to have a … Read More

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Featured image: Dr. Flux’s cat and science communication

Dr. Flux’s cat and science communication

- Wayne Linklater • Nov 12, 2013

In the heat of public debate about cats and their impact on native wildlife, what scientific evidence did the media most use to inform? Mostly they used Dr. John Flux’s article [1] about one cat published in the New Zealand Journal of Zoology in 2007. Dr. John Flux’s cat, Peng You, who brought home … Read More

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Academic profiling – unwise, unfair, unethical, but common?

- Wayne Linklater • Oct 29, 2013

University rankings can be useful. They can also be used inappropriately to discriminate inaccurately and unjustly. Dr. Mark Hauser at Harvard University – consistently amongst the world’s highest ranked universities – was found guilty of scientific miscounduct, fraudulent science in 2012 – an example of why the university a person is employed at is a poor metric of … Read More

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Featured image: Business standards of sustainability

Business standards of sustainability

- Wayne Linklater • Sep 25, 2013

Standard & Poor’s Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) has been released. Three large New Zealand companies, apparently, made the list. Auckland International Airport (AIA) Ltd. made it for a second time. Australia-New Zealand Banking Group, a routine member of the index, also celebrated its sustainability achievement – global leader in banking. While ANZ is not a … Read More

Featured image: Uniquely degraded – the new spin

Uniquely degraded – the new spin

- Wayne Linklater • Aug 27, 2013

The Advertising Standards Authority decision is out. Their Complaints Board decided on 8th August that the ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ by www.tourismnewzealand.com and www.newzealand.com made no environmental claims but that the environments – scenes and places – featured were only implicated as ‘part of the unique New Zealand visitor experience’. 100% Pure … Read More

Peter’s win-win for New Zealand’s economy and environment

- Wayne Linklater • Aug 14, 2013

There is more to Peter’s complaint about ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ advertising than meets the eye. His action has long-term economic, environmental and social ramifications for our nation. His is not just a petty squabble over the semantics of wording in advertising. Peter’s action is a tool for adding value to New Zealand‘s economy and society as … Read More

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