The Government is proposing to open up more than 7000 hectares of conservation land for mining on Coromandel, and Paparoa National Park on the West Coast.

The Govt will try to justify mining in conservation land by putting other areas into protection when it announces its plans at 3pm, says Forest & Bird.

Barack Obama has a vision of a fundamental US energy makeover, moving from fossil fuels such as coal and oil to renewable sources including solar and wind.

Brownlee says 'degree of panic' over review not warranted.