#125: Talking the walk
On the importance of talking about climate change
Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
Some cool research came out recently (via this Substack, check it out!) which said that talking about climate change makes a way bigger impact than previously thought. Basically, if you simply hear others talk about climate change a lot, you’re also more likely to believe that we have the power to have a big impact on climate change. This in turn motivates people to engage in climate action, including political action like voting or behaviour change.
Locally, we know that talking about climate change, whether to our neighbour or to our representatives, makes an impact. For example, after many of us weighed in on the recent Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan, Mayor Wayne Brown got the message that Aucklanders want better public transport:
The mayor’s proposal would see most Aucklanders pay no more than $50 a week in public transport fares […] “I’m listening to Aucklanders who asked for more spending on public transport in the LTP consultation. It’s time we got on with making buses fast and reliable.” - Auckland Council
A $50 cap is still not what we’d call affordable, especially when Brisbane is trialling 50c fares next month, but it’s progress.
Talking to people about climate change is a skill, but with practice, it can have a really outsized impact. Who can we talk to today?
What can we do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was to sign the petition to oppose Sam’s Creek Mine.
🐝 5 minutes: Make peas not war
Have you ever been confused about the number of different descriptions on food products? Going vegan is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint (meat is a key driver of climate change) - but product labelling makes it hard to know how to avoid milk, and other dairy meat-based products.
Action: Sign the petition to ban misleading labels for vegan & vegetarian products
🐇 15 minutes: Fairest fare in all the land
Feeling inspired by our transport win in Auckland? Tell the new Government that we want affordable public transport everywhere, not just in Auckland.
Action: Email your MP using this handy cheat sheet from Free Fares
💃🏽 30+ minutes: Getting aggy about the ETS
The government just proposed to axe the bill that would have put a (low) price on methane emissions. This means we still have no actual way to reduce 53% of NZ’s emissions. This is despite a recent report which has shown that large agribusiness corporations including Fonterra have been using the same playbook as tobacco and oil corporations to delay climate action.
Online, Wed 24 July, 7pm: Join the submission party
Otago University: One of our Climate Club readers has organised a submission party! They’ll dial into the submission party linked above, then discuss together afterwards. 7pm, Room 3 in OUSA Clubs & Socs.
In case you missed it!
We know we can’t have any new fossil fuel extraction to stay at a safe climate temperature. New coal mining is a lose-lose, economically & environmentally, and yet that’s what the government’s Draft Minerals Strategy is proposing.
Online, 6pm tonight: Join Climate Justice Taranaki’s online info & submission sesh
Action, due 31 July: Quick submit guide for Draft Minerals StrategyTāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, this weekend 27-28 July: The Climate Action Conference is back! Although it’s aimed at younger people, it’s open to all ages – there will be high school & university students and professionals attending. Climate Club will be running a workshop there!
Action: Register for the Climate Action Conference this weekTāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, this Friday 5:30pm: Climate Club runs in-person climate workshops, and thanks to Auckland Council, we have one coming up in East Auckland that’s free to the public! Bring friends, flatmates, and whānau for free pizza and an interactive, educational, award-winning workshop.
Action: RSVP for our free workshop at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this intro video by Yale Climate Connections, a non-profit that has been doing climate action & attitudes research for over 10 years.
See you next week,
Lou & the Climate Club team
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