#150: Feasting for the future
On meals, moments, and movements
Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
People often ask me: ‘How do you stay hopeful in this line of work?” Here’s what gives me hope: the reactions people have when they wake up to the climate crisis and realise that they have the power to take action in their communities.
For example, last week, Climate Club ran an event that introduced folks to the delicious potential of plant-based eating. The outstanding chef Kia Kanuta developed a menu of kamokamo, heirloom tomatoes, kūmara, harakeke, coconut, kawakawa, cauliflower, corn, and pōhutakawa (just to name a few!) to highlight the tastiness and versatility of plants – and absolutely smashed it!
Why plant-based food?
Research shows that if everyone ate plants, we’d have 75% less food-related emissions, water pollution and land use. It also reduces food costs by 30% and has been linked to longer, healthier lives. Our event attendees were mostly newbies to plant-based eating, and were enthusiastic and engaged, learning first-hand what true climate-conscious eating looks like.
The biggest joy for me was seeing the knowledge become power. The nerdy climate quiz I had been so worried about was the most powerful and transformational part - attendees came up and said ‘thank you for teaching us about this!’ and ‘I never knew eating plants was this impactful!’
Sharing the message about climate action can be tough - even I still get nervous about it. But sharing it can also be joyful, and even life-changing.
What can we do today?
The most-clicked link last week was the petition against seabed mining.
🐝 5 minutes: Don’t bank on it (fossil fuels)
Fossil fuels are a dying industry and a risky investment. Let’s bypass the political football, and ensure that your savings aren’t being used to spread the fossil fuel industry even further. Check if your bank has divested with this great resource, and then scroll down to the “Amplify your impact” section for ideas on how you can urge them to divest.
Action: Urge your bank to stop financing fossil fuels using this resource from 350 Aotearoa
The Climate Change Commission just announced that we should review the fact that we currently give free carbon credits to polluters. Sounds a lot like what the great volunteers over at the Don’t Subsidise Pollution campaign have been saying for the past couple of years!
Action: Sign the petition to end free carbon credits for polluters
🐇 15 minutes: Take a hot minute to chat to the fast track hotline
The Government just launched a website for the Fast Track process, allowing previously rejected, economically & environmentally risky projects another chance at approval (e.g. search ‘coal’ on their projects list). Let’s jam the process.
Action: Call the Fast Track hotline – Freephone 0800 FASTRK (0800 327875) – and tell them how they are fast-tracking climate destruction. Here’s some ideas for what to say from our bill submission template.
Bonus action: If you’d like to turn this action into a campaign, please go ahead and spread the word!What does climate action mean to you? Researchers at the University of Auckland are seeking to understand what climate justice means to people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Action: Take 10-15 mins to weigh in on this survey
💃🏽 30+ minutes: Fast track your career not these projects
Do you care about the environment, have relevant experience in the project sectors, and want to have a say on Fast Track projects? Apply to be a fast track panel member. Oil and coal companies are nominating their staff as experts, so if you care about climate change and have expertise in these domains, including environmental matters, we want your voice on there too.
Action: Express interest in being a fast track panel member
Events in your area
Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington, 13th March, 5:30-7pm: Climate Kōrero Pōneke - hear stories and insight from passionate speakers about how to get involved and make a difference in the climate space. And get involved with some free kai and good chats!
Action: Register for the event here, Two/Fiftyseven, Level 2, 57 Willis Street
Whakatū/Nelson, Thursday 20th Feb, 5:30-6:30pm: Nelson Green Drinks - join folks who are passionate about the environment for a monthly chat and a friendly drink.
Action: Find all the details here, Two Thumbs Brewery
Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Sunday 16th Feb, 10:30am: Climate Café - Looking for a climate community? Join the Climate Action Support Network for chats, support and friendship with those also grappling with the climate crisis.
Action: Sign up here, Devonport Community HouseTāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Sunday 16th Feb, 9:30am: Join Auckland’s Bike Community Workshop - calling all cyclists! Learn about how to campaign for more bike networks with a lovely community.
Action: Sign up here, Takapuna War Memorial Hall
Wins
💪 The Whangaroa Stop Toxic Mining Alliance K.A.T.I. succeeded in preventing toxic mining operations in the Whangaroa District! “Mining company Mineralogy has officially withdrawn from our district, in direct response to the collective objections of local residents and community leaders. Shout out to the people of Ngāi Tupango, Ngāti Ruamahue, Ngāti Kura, Te Rūnanga o Whāingaroa, and numerous leaders from around the district.”
🌞 In just six months, Pakistan installed solar capacity equivalent to 30% of its total electricity generation capacity!
⚡️ Renewables reached 60% of Germany’s power generation mix last year.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this carbon neutral music video by Goldenhorse, where “everyone in the disco scene wore up-cycled clothing, and we used locally sourced props and costumes. We even went as far as encouraging the dancers and actors to carpool and use public transportation”.
See you next week,
Emily & the Climate Club team
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