Earthminds: Innovation challenge areas
Initial list of topic areas and specific challenges
Planetary boundaries framework
Challenges in Coastal & Marine Protection
Aligned with marine conservation, ocean health, and climate resilience
Implementing Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Resilience
How can we develop and implement nature-based solutions to protect Nelson's coastal areas from erosion and rising sea levels while maintaining biodiversity?
Reducing Plastic Pollution in Tasman Bay
How can we minimize plastic waste entering our waterways and oceans, and encourage local businesses to adopt circular economy practices?
Enhancing Marine Biodiversity Monitoring
How can we improve monitoring and protection of marine biodiversity in Nelson's coastal waters amid climate change and human activity?
Mitigating Agricultural Runoff into Coastal Waters
How can we reduce nutrient runoff from agriculture to prevent coastal eutrophication and marine degradation?
Sustainable Land & Agriculture
Aligned with regenerative agriculture, afforestation, and sustainable food systems
Regenerative Agriculture for a Changing Climate
How can local farmers transition to regenerative agriculture to enhance soil health, sequester carbon, and improve climate resilience?
Potential Partners: Agricultural cooperatives, Landcare Research
Planetary Boundary Connection: Biosphere Integrity
Reducing Agricultural Water Use in Drought-Prone Areas
How can local farms optimize water use and adopt climate-smart irrigation practices to mitigate drought risks?
Potential Partners: HortNZ, irrigation technology companies
Planetary Boundary Connection: Freshwater Use
Restoring Native Forests and Wetlands
How can reforestation and wetland restoration projects in Nelson increase carbon sequestration and biodiversity?
Potential Partners: Trees That Count, Forest & Bird, Ngāti Koata, Moananui
Planetary Boundary Connection: Biosphere Integrity
Energy & Decarbonization
Aligned with renewable energy, carbon neutrality, and sustainable transportation
8. Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Nelson
How can Nelson accelerate the adoption of solar and wind energy in residential and commercial sectors?
Potential Partners: SolarZero, Meridian Energy, Nelson City Council
Planetary Boundary Connection: Climate Change
9. Electrifying Transport and Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependence
How can we increase the use of electric vehicles, public transport, and cycling infrastructure in Nelson?
Potential Partners: EECA, local government, bike retailers
Planetary Boundary Connection: Climate Change
10. Decarbonizing Maritime Transport
How can we reduce greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport in Nelson?
Potential Partners: Shipping companies, port authorities, Moananui
Planetary Boundary Connection: Climate Change
11. Enhancing Blue Carbon Sequestration
How can we protect and restore coastal ecosystems to enhance blue carbon sequestration?
Potential Partners: Conservation organizations, local councils, Moananui
Planetary Boundary Connection: Climate Change
Circular Economy & Waste Reduction
Aligned with waste management, recycling, and sustainable materials
12. Eliminating Food Waste and Supporting Local Composting
How can Nelson reduce food waste in households and businesses while increasing composting and soil regeneration?
Potential Partners: Kai Rescue, food rescue organizations, community gardens
Planetary Boundary Connection: Biogeochemical Flows
13. Scaling Up Zero-Waste Retail and Packaging-Free Stores
How can local businesses transition away from single-use plastics and adopt sustainable packaging solutions?
Potential Partners: Zero-waste stores, packaging innovators
Planetary Boundary Connection: Novel Entities
14. Combating Chemical Pollution in Marine Ecosystems
How can we identify and mitigate the sources of chemical pollutants affecting marine ecosystems?
Potential Partners: Industrial companies, environmental monitoring agencies, Moananui
Planetary Boundary Connection: Novel Entities
Climate Resilience & Community Adaptation
Aligned with infrastructure, disaster resilience, and indigenous knowledge
15. Preparing Nelson for Extreme Weather Events
How can Nelson's communities improve their resilience to floods, wildfires, and extreme storms?
Potential Partners: Civil Defence, insurance companies, emergency management groups
Planetary Boundary Connection: Climate Change
16. Making Homes and Buildings Climate-Resilient
How can we encourage green building materials, energy efficiency, and passive design in Nelson's homes and commercial buildings?
Potential Partners: Sustainable architecture firms, local councils
Planetary Boundary Connection: Climate Change
17. Strengthening Indigenous-Led Climate Solutions
How can we integrate Māori knowledge (mātauranga Māori) and leadership into Nelson's climate action initiatives?
Potential Partners: Local iwi, cultural heritage groups
Planetary Boundary Connection: Biosphere Integrity
Youth & Education for Climate Action
Aligned with climate literacy, youth engagement, and community science
Engaging Youth in Climate Innovation
How can Nelson's young people lead climate action and innovation through schools and extracurricular programs?
Potential Partners: Schools, EnviroSchools, Climate Impact Lab
Planetary Boundary Connection: Biosphere Integrity
Expanding Citizen Science for Climate Monitoring
How can we empower local citizens to contribute to climate data collection and monitoring in Nelson?
Potential Partners: Cawthron Institute, community groups
Planetary Boundary Connection: Biosphere Integrity
Sustainable Tourism for Nelson's Future
How can the tourism industry in Nelson become more sustainable while continuing to support the local economy?
Potential Partners: Tourism operators, hospitality sector
Planetary Boundary Connection: Climate Change