#143: Plans for your weekend? How about saving the world?
On good yarns and fighting together
Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
Not to boast or anything but I spent my Saturday night solving climate change.
I’m not being totally facetious – I spent my weekend playing Daybreak, a cooperative board game about stopping climate change. Despite its serious content the game was good fun (for the board game geeks out there, it’s made by the same team behind Pandemic). What really struck me, though, was how quickly it sparked important conversations.
Daybreak throws you straight into strategising how to balance global and local needs while racing against the clock as temperatures rise. As we navigated the game’s challenges—rising emissions, geopolitical pressures, and resource constraints—we started reflecting on how our real world is going on these fronts. We discussed how critical it is for every country to play its part, because climate change is the ultimate collective problem: either we all win, or no one does. We talked about the tricky balance between transitioning to renewable energy and meeting current energy demands.
Perhaps most importantly, we all made the undeniable connection between community well-being and climate stability. The game became more than just entertainment; it prompted us to confront the complexities of climate action in a way that felt both urgent and collaborative.
What my game night helped me to grasp is how important good yarns with friends will be as we learn to navigate our futures on this complex, beautiful, broken planet. Talking openly about the big scary threats (the forest fires, floods, crop failures) and discussing the ‘what next’ (How will we help our communities? How can we adapt as well as mitigate?) is going to be essential. We are not facing this alone - we can break down the enormity of the crisis into something we can fight together.
What can we do today?
The most clicked link last week was this #cop29 petition to make fossil fuel companies pay for the damages they have caused.
🐝 5 minutes: Digging deep trouble
This week, tens of thousands in Aotearoa stood for Te Tiriti and the protection of indigenous rights. This echoes the shared struggles & aspirations of indigenous leaders from the Amazon, Australia, and the Pacific, who are uniting to demand a stronger voice in climate decisions, particularly at next year’s global climate talks (COP30 in Brazil next year, COP31 in Australia the year after) which has been so far dominated by fossil fuel lobbyists.
Action: Sign 350’s petition to support global solidarity for indigenous representation at global climate talksSeabed mining can potentially release some of the two billion tons of carbon in NZ’s oceans back into the atmosphere, while damaging the ecosystem’s ability to sequester further carbon. There is not enough evidence that the minerals gained from the seafloor for renewables would be worth the downsides. In Aotearoa, we have successfully delayed the first large-scale seabed mining project. However, Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR), a company seeking to mine the seabed off the Taranaki Coast, has now been given the Fast Track under the current government. The outcome in Taranaki could set a precedent not only in Aotearoa but across the Pacific and beyond.
Action: Sign the petition to ban seabed mining to signal widespread public concern and to help protect our marine environments for future generations
🐇 15 minutes: Youth Voices, Workplace Choices
Participate in a study on how different generations approach and advocate for better climate policies in the workplace. The study is being done by Masters Masters in Climate Change Science and Policy student Libby Holdsworth with the support of Proxima Consulting, who is aiming to generate tangible ways for organisations to include youth voices in climate decision making.
Action: If you live in NZ and are currently employed, fill out this survey to contribute to study on climate action in the workplace. There is an option at the end to leave your contact information if you are interested in participating in a further 15- 20 minute interview.
💃🏽 30+ minutes: Write for rights
Have your say on the Treaty Principles Bill, which threatens to remove years of progress on indigenous rights and environmental protection, including climate action both locally and globally. Public submissions are open between now and 7th Jan, and there are plenty of events to help you get it done, with others, before the holidays.
Action: Use this form to make a submission on the Treaty Principles Bill (thanks ActionStation!) or check out this template for ideas (thanks Common Grace Aotearoa!)
Bonus actions:Gather submissions from your faith community with these resources
Organise your own submission-writing party! Get friends together, bring laptops & food, and write individual submissions while sharing ideas and asking each other questions.
Upcoming workshops
Climate Club runs climate 101 workshops for your friends, team, or organisation, and we’ve got our last batch of workshops coming up:
Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, Tue 3 Dec, 5pm - 8pm at Tower Insurance, Level 5/136 Fanshawe St, CBD: register here
Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wed 4 Dec, 10am - 1pm, location TBD: register here
Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, Thu 5 Dec, 4pm - 7pm, Reception Lounge in Hamilton City Council building, entry from Civic Square: register here
Online, 7pm - 10:30pm NZT this Friday, free: Have you attended a Climate Fresk workshop, and would like to become a facilitator? There are spaces available for a free facilitator training, to become part of a global movement that helps people explore the causes & consequences of climate action, and empowers people to take action. Register here.
Wins!
The final (Wellington) leg of the Hikoi mō te Tiriti saw an amazing (estimated) 40,000 people march to parliament to oppose the Treaty Principles Bill. Check out this amazing time lapse showing true people power in action!
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That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this satirical advertisement targeting Ogilvy, the advertising company with the most fossil fuel clients. It was made by this comedian who also writes humorous songs about vampires and climate change.
See you next week,
Cathy & the Climate Club team
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You didn't mention if you 'won' the game you played. I usually play board games to take my mind off the world, but might have to make an exception. Love that it's cooperative.
Love nature and protect it