#153: What if the earth loved you back?

On the oldest circular economy

Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!

In her book Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer asked a class of environmental science students if they could think of any positive relationships between humans and nature. The most common response? "None."

Anya Kamenetz, in her newsletter The Golden Hour, quotes that even young kindergartners say that “humans ruined the Earth and the Earth is dying.” It’s easy to understand why people might think that: we are drawn to research and studies that reflect the way we already see the world. The more we see the damaging effects of human activity, the more we write about it and believe in it.

These both go on to remind us of this truth: humans have affected the world badly, but we are also part of this world, and can have positive interactions with the earth. Anya Kamenetz suggests talking to children in a way that allows them to know they can take care of the earth: “You can be in a city, you can be in a rural area, but there's something alive around you that you could be a part of helping, whether that's “we don't break branches off the tree,” or “we can feed the birds at the park”. It’s about being alive and awake and aware of the signs of nature.”

Robin Wall Kimmerer goes further by asking “What do you …think would happen if people believed the earth loved you back?” One student replies, “You wouldn’t harm what gives you love.”

A sweet (pun intended) example from Braiding Sweetgrass is strawberries: the plant gives to us the sweetest gift, knowing we will gorge ourselves on the delicious fruits. We can give back by replanting the seeds and watering the strawberries, and spreading their fruit out to replant in wider spots.

So, this week - look to see where nature cares for you, and where we can care for it in return.

What can we do today?

The most clicked link last week was the Oxfam petition asking our government to keep funding climate action in the Pacific!

🐝 5 minutes: Snow more reason to delay

• Enjoy snow sports and the winter lifestyle? Climate change is a key threat to this way of life, with projections indicating that Otago’s annual average temperatures could rise by 2.8°C, with up to 27% more winter rainfall in Queenstown. Transport emissions make up 47% of the Queenstown Lakes District’s total emissions. The good news is that transport emissions have a clear answer in better, more joyful, more useful and decarbonised public transport!

  Action: Let’s make sure that an electric bus connecting Queenstown and Wānaka is part of the next transport plan

• It’s Sea Week! The ocean stores an estimated 91% of the excess heat energy caused by climate change - and any damage to the ocean ecosystem can threaten its ability to sequester carbon. We recently had a win in the form of the first-ever Global Oceans Treaty, and now Greenpeace is asking our government to act on this treaty by creating new global ocean sanctuaries.

  Action: Call on Winston Peters to commit to creating ocean sanctuaries (note: you don’t have to enter your phone number when signing).

🐇 15 minutes: Have major words with the mayor

• Transport is also a big part of Auckland’s emissions, at 43.6%. In Auckland CBD, Victoria Street’s almost complete cycleway is under attack. Auckland Council needs to hear from you to keep it – read Greater Auckland's fantastic piece for more info, or use the guide below to add your voice.
  Action: Use Bike Auckland’s guide to write an email to the mayor

💃🏽 30+ minutes: Make your write of passage… by writing!

• We’ve talked before about the impact of letters to the editor, which often have a broad, diverse reach. Extinction Rebellion is hosting casual, friendly Monday morning Zoom calls for people to work together on writing letters to the editor, along with help from people who have been published before.
  Action: Text Jill on 02102570468 to get the Zoom Link

• We usually share volunteer roles, but this week there have been a couple of great job opportunities that we thought you all would be great candidates for!

  • Aotearoa Climate Action Network (AoCAN) is seeking a new Coordinator. AoCAN are a network of over 55 community groups in Aotearoa (including Climate Club!) working towards climate justice as part of the global Climate Action Network. They are currently looking for a coordinator, part-time, with flexible locations (role description here)

  • Our friends over at Mindful Money are looking for a Marketing and Events Manager (full-time, based anywhere in the country but preference for Tāmaki Makaurau), and you can find the job ad here.

  Action: Take a look at these roles or share with a friend!

In case you missed it!

• Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland, 12th March: Feeling more worried about climate change and want to hear more about how to tackle it?
  Action: Head along to this talk

Wins!

• Good news is feeling rare from the US…and yet, US states are hitting the ground running on renewables! Wind and solar are expected to meet nearly 50% of power demand in Texas this spring, and 48 days into 2025, fossil gas use for electricity in California is down almost 28%, while battery use is up 78% - showing that sometimes, money and common sense really does win out ☀️(h/t to Fix the News)

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That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy these photos from the incredible winners of the Ocean Photographer of the Year, celebrating our beautiful blue planet.

See you next week,

Dhanya & the Climate Club team

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