#123: I contain multitudes

On accepting multiple truths

Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!

I’ve been on a bit of a book binge recently during these cold winter days. One thing I’ve been reflecting on in some of these writings (especially the non-fiction ones) are the differing ideas on how we achieve a better world.

A subset of my library checkouts 😅 And no, I certainly won’t get through all these before they’re overdue 😭

Take the climate movement, for example. Some say that EVs are essential, others believe they should be discouraged. We know that some of our agricultural practices are damaging, and yet many of us avoid the topic entirely. Vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian? Complete overhaul of our systems, or bit-by-bit change within the system?

These sound like opposing views, and maybe you’ve also seen a lot of these in headlines and on social media. It can be overwhelming; how can I effectively serve the climate movement when it seems so fractured?

But there’s often a third option: both sides of an argument can be true at the same time.

We can sometimes crave simplicity – a world with one linear, scientifically proven path forward. But reality isn't simple. And I’m glad for it; otherwise, we wouldn’t have the richness, resilience, and creativity that debate and diversity brings. Even science itself thrives on critique, evolving understanding, and consensus instead of absolutism.

I’m trying to embrace the discomfort of holding conflicting ideas. There is no one way to “fix” a problem so complex. We need many different ideas and the patience to collaborate effectively, even if our approaches differ. Even better, we need to support each other and turn to fight against the real opposition: the fossil fuel industry and climate deniers (who are also just people who might have been waylaid at some point). After all, we all share the same goal: reducing emissions, ensuring everyone benefits, and a liveable planet for all.

What books have you been reading recently? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments!

Note: We noticed that last week’s email may not have arrived in your inbox! Here it is if you’d like to have a read - the theme is Matariki ✨

What can we do today?

The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was to sign the petition to ban unnecessary single-use plastic bottles here

🐝 5 minutes: A stitch in time saves nine

• Sick of stuff breaking and not being able to find spare parts? Consumer NZ is pushing for products to have repair labels on them. This will help buyers know which products are repairable and incentivise manufacturers to make longer-lasting, repairable products.
  Action: Sign the petition to support easier repairs, household savings, and less trash

🐇 15 minutes: Long for a long-term future with your savings

• Don’t want your long-term savings to be eroding your chance for a future? Some kiwisaver, investment funds and banks are actually still investing your hard-earned savings in companies expanding fossil fuels. Also, ethical funds often have better or equal returns than fossil-fueled ones! They just did a refresh with the latest data, check it out.
  Action: Use Mindful Money’s handy tool to move your money 

💃🏽 30+ minutes: Let’s get energised

• Taranaki, Wed 31 July: An action group from the Climate Action Now community gathering in May has kicked off Community Energy initiatives in Taranaki. Local, community-owned energy systems (e.g. solar panels on houses, schools, clubrooms, churches) are the most affordable, equitable, and resilient way to power our homes.
  Action: Get in touch with Climate Justice Taranaki if you’d like to attend their second hui

• Ōtepoti/Dunedin, tomorrow, 5:30pm - 6:30pm: The University of Otago holds public lectures, and the next one is on our current food systems and the transformative potential of a circular bioeconomy.
  Action: Come along to the free public lecture on food systems

• Ōtautahi/Christchurch, 8-11 July: Kidsfest 2024 has some pioneering climate initiatives these school holidays, raising awareness through interactive, game-based learning.
  Action: Come along to a free & fun session at Green Game Academy for tamariki aged 5-16.

In case you missed it!

• If we allow new mining, coal will be a big part of it according to the coalition government’s plans. This locks us into 30+ years of a destructive and rapidly dying industry, when we could instead be leading the way on a renewable, electrified economy. Every scientist and policy expert says we can have no new fossil fuel extraction to stay at a safe climate temperature. New coal mining is a lose-lose, economically & environmentally.
  Action: Oppose the Draft Minerals Strategy with this quick submit guide.
  New submission writing event: Join Climate Justice Taranaki’s online info & submission sesh

Wins!

• In a local campaign win, the Hamilton-Auckland Te Huia train will be able to complete its five-year trial. Thank you to everyone who delivered leaflets, sent postcards to the Minister, signed petitions, and attended public meetings, and volunteer-powered advocacy group The Future Is Rail for organising it all - follow them for next steps.

  • Live in the South Island? Join the campaign to bring back the Southerner train (Christchurch-Dunedin-Invercargill)

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That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this book on decarbonising our households (one of the ones I read this week; I’ve actually started working for a similar NZ organisation, Rewiring Aotearoa!)

See you next week, 

Jenny & the Climate Club team

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