#111: Hello Officer? I’m reporting a climate crime

On opposing the Fast Track to extinction

Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!

Our Minister for Resources Shane Jones said “if there is a mining opportunity and it’s impeded by a blind frog, goodbye Freddie.” 

He’s also been heavily involved with lobbyists from the forestry, fishing, and seabed mining industries.

Under the proposed fast-track approvals bill, Shane Jones will be one of three men who will basically have all the power to approve all new infrastructure developments. If the bill is made into law, Shane Jones, Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop (a literal former tobacco lobbyist) will be allowed to overrule 30 years of environmental acts and regulation. What’s worse, the public will be totally cut out from having a say. So if a mine is proposed in an area that will threaten kiwi or other natural heritage - that’s a shame, since no one except the mining companies get a say anymore. 

My (extremely budget) remix of this classic illustration

If this sounds dire, it's because it is. Jones thinks he’s making a joke about “blind Freddie” but we know that our wellbeing depends on the basics that the environment provides us - clean air, water and food. Yet we’re already overshooting our planetary boundaries by 3.5 times. We need policies to ramp down our footprint, not up. We can't afford to put power over our natural environment into the hands of these 3 politicians. 

So what can we do? We have until this Friday, the 19th of April to make a submission showing our government that this bill does not have public support. Even more important, it shows the businesses that will take advantage of their lobbying power that just because they have consent from these 3 ministers, it doesn’t mean that they have the backing of the New Zealand people - that we can and will make noise if they choose to endanger our very own habitat.

What can we do today?

🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Get off this fast track to extinction

• The most important thing you can do this week is to get vocal about opposing the Fast-Track Bill. If you have 15 minutes we’d strongly suggest you check out the submission guide below, but otherwise Greenpeace has a quick sign submission!
  Action: Sign this petition against the Fast Track Bill

🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Makerspace in your calendar

• The Fast-Track Bill would clear the way for corporations to mine, drill, build and extract resources in Aotearoa without any input from experts or the public.
  We’ve put together a quick submission guide with help from experts in 350 Aotearoa and Coal Action Network Aotearoa, so you can send a clear message against this Bill which gives unprecedented power to a small group of people.

  • ❗👉 Action, due 11.59pm Fri 19 April: Use the Fast-Track Bill submission guide to have your say (includes links for more info)

  • Auckland, 6pm-7:30pm (drop-in) Thu 18 April: In-person submission party at Auckland Central Library Makerspace (ground floor)

  • Online, 2pm today: Information Webinar (Green Party)

💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Cheers to Chch

• Christchurch’s long-term plan determines investment in transport and climate policy. Thank you to our readers in Greater Ōtautahi, we have this excellent submission guide for you to have your say for a cleaner, safer future for Christchurch!
  Action, due Sunday 21 April: Christchurch City Council’s Long-Term Plan consultation guide

• Whanganui has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve its clean transport options in its 2024-34 Horizons Long Term Plan. Two exciting new proposals will improve bus and regional connections to Wellington, Palmy, and beyond, but public support on this will be crucial to keeping these in the final budget.

  Action, due Monday 22 April: Submit here using this guide

• Te Whanganui-a-tara/Wellington, Wed 17 April, 6pm: Wellington Council is considering selling their stake in the airport. This takes away our control over a big source of emissions and future public revenue. Unions & climate orgs will be at the public forum with councillors this Wednesday to convince them to vote against selling.
  Action: Show your support for keeping the airport Thistle Hall (event, Facebook event, Instagram post)
  Bonus action: Sign the petition

In case you missed it

• Online, Wed 17 April, 6pm: Wanting to join a climate group but feeling unsure? 350 Aotearoa are holding an introductory session explaining what they do, how they fit into the climate movement, and the types of things you might do as a 350 volunteer.
  Action: Join them online at 6pm for an intro session 

Wins!

• This paper published in Nature last week confirmed that protests do work to increase public concern in climate change. Huzzah!

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That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this NZ-made documentary “High Tide Don’t Tide” and accompanying educational toolkit on young Kiwis taking climate action.

See you next week, 

Jenny & the Climate Club team

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