Ice mice and men the issues facing our far South

223 pages. nice clean copy with associated DVD in rear pocketOur Far South is packed with history and wildlife, and is renowned for its breat htaking and photogenic beauty. But does our appreciation of the region run more than skin deep? Do Kiwis really understand how important the region is and what issues are facing it? In February 2012, Gareth Morgan trapped ten of New Zealand 's top experts on the region in a boat with 40 ordinary Kiwis for a month. Toget her with Geoff Simmons, he grilled them about the issues facing the region and I ce, Mice and Men is the result. What they found was startling. Our Far South - t hat part of New Zealand that extends from Stewart Island almost without interrup tion to the South Pole - harbours precious wildlife and is the engine room of th e world's oceans and climate. We are blessed to live in this unique part of the world, but we also have a huge responsibility to look after it. Ice, Mice and Me n looks at the three ways we risk inflicting long-term, even permanent harm, on this precious and fragile region. The race to exploit resources has been underwa y for three centuries, and may be poised to escalate. Pressure from human activi ty may be threatening biodiversity and even the survival of species. And looming ever larger is the threat of climate change. Damage done to Our Far South will have profound implications, both for New Zealand and right across the globe. Gar eth Morgan is a well-known columnist, philanthropist and author. Geoff Simmons i s an economist for the Morgan Family Charitable Foundation and has previously wo rked for the New Zealand Treasury. He is also Co-Creative Director of the Wellin gton Improvisation Troupe.…