#141: Will there be nothing left to fight for?

On resisting the storm

Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!

We are careful about how we engage with politics here at Climate Club. Whilst climate change is inherently political (because it is tangled up with power and money), we want to remain accessible, and to act as an introduction for all into the climate space. But it’s been a pretty significant week, and among an array of other serious concerns, the incoming Trump administration is set to be disastrous for climate. For many, this marks the “final nail in the coffin” for the 1.5C target of the Paris Agreement. 

Let’s be honest: this sucks. It’s scary, overwhelming, and depressing. It might make you wonder: is it too late to do anything? Is there even any point?

Now I’m no stranger to climate doomism. Hell, my master’s thesis had a whole chapter on climate change and fears of the apocalypse. But the question “when is it too late” implies that there will come a time where there is nothing left to fight for, and frankly, that is a load of crap. There’s no climate version of a video game end screen–no “You’ve Reached 1.5C: Game Over”. No matter the level of warming, it’s never too late for things to get better; never too late for emissions to be reduced; never too late for the worst effects to be lessened; never too late to build a better future. Whatever harm we can reduce matters. 

To keep trying is to decide not to be motivated by fear or cruelty, and to focus instead on the love and care we feel for the things we strive to protect.  

What can we do today?

The most clicked link last week was again our list of climate organisations! Let us know whether you joined any organisations last week in the comments below. 

🐝 5 minutes: See you in court  

• It’s time to target the people in power! Join the call for the International Criminal Court to investigate those who have funded climate denial and actively delayed meaningful climate action. 

  Action: Sign the petition 

• Fossil fuels don’t just damage the climate - oil spills, a regular result of fossil fuel extraction and transportation, are devastating to the ecosystems which keep our planet running. The Manawanui spill has leaked 200,000 litres of oil in Samoan waters causing untold damage to marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. 

  Action: Tell Defense Minister Judith Collins that New Zealand should clean up the spill 

🐇 15 minutes: A stitch in time… 

• Christchurch City Council is opening up submissions for the Coastal Hazards Adaptation plan, which outlines how the district plans to coastal hazards and sea-level rise for Rāpaki, Allandale, Teddington, Te Wharau Charteris Bay, Purau and Koukourarata Port Levy. We don’t have a guide for this one, but it’s a quick survey, so take a look if you are in the affected area and have your say! 

  Action: Have your say on adaptation plans

• The Consumer Guarantees (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill is about to have its first reading in Parliament. This Bill would make it mandatory for manufacturers to make repair facilities and spare parts available in New Zealand, so we’re not stuck with half-broken tech that we have to throw away.
  Action: Use OraTaiao’s handy email template to show MPs the huge support behind Right to Repair. 

💃🏽 30+ minutes: Hīkoi for Te Tiriti

• This week marks the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti—a protest march against the Treaty Principles Bill, which was introduced to Parliament ahead of the expected date. The Waitangi Tribunal has warned that if passed, this bill would be “the worst, most comprehensive breach of Te Tiriti in modern times.” Protecting Te Tiriti matters for climate action, as indigenous rights and participation are key to achieving climate goals both globally and locally. The bill strips indigenous rights, and also risks removing even more environmental protections. Join tangata whenua on this hīkoi to show solidarity for a unified Aotearoa. The march will pass through the whole country, and Climate Club will be at the Auckland Harbour Bridge crossing, starting at Onepoto Domain, Northcote, 10 am, Wednesday.
  Action: Be part of history: join the hīkoi/march as it passes through your area (further info, guide for non-Māori)

  
  Bonus 5 min actions:

  • Not sure what this is all about? Watch this 5-min explainer on Te Tiriti o Waitangi

  • Sign the petition (to be delivered 19th Nov)

  • Send Christopher Luxon this template email by the Greens

  • Sign Labour’s Open Letter

  • Sign OraTaiao’s open letter (anyone, not just health professionals)

  • If you’re part of a workplace or community, sign ActionStation’s open letter asking our PM to drop the bill (see all the orgs that have signed so far!)

• Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland folks: The Community Climate Action Network currently has funding grants of $500 to $4,000 to bring your climate action idea to life! This is a great chance for community organisations and schools in Auckland to take action on climate change.
  Action: Apply before 5pm Friday 22 Nov, or share with a mate

Upcoming events

• Tāmaki Makauru/Auckland, every third Thursday, 6:30pm: People Planet Pint is a monthly sustainability meet-up for conversations on climate change! Join the group on the third Thursday of each month by signing up, and get a free drink alongside great convos.
  Action: Save the date for a climate meetup next Thursday in Morningside 

• Online, next Mon Nov 18th, 6pm: Attention new (or about to be new) volunteers! Lisa, 350 Aotearoa’s co-director, will be talking through what volunteering for 350 Aotearoa is all about next Monday. 350 Aotearoa is the NZ branch of an international climate movement focussed on systemic actions, and we highly recommend them as an organisation for our readers.
  Action: RSVP here to learn more about 350 Aotearoa.

In case you missed it!

• Workride is an awesome workplace scheme to get you 32-63% off bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, and other modes of active transport! Transport is 20% of NZ’s emissions. There are already over 700 businesses that offer this as an incentive for their employees.
  Action: Check if your work has Workride! If not, share with your employer (it costs them nothing!)

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That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this post-election poem by Rebecca Faulkner. 

See you next week, 

Jodie & the Climate Club team

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