#166: What’s your style?
On how everyone can be a climate leader
Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
Many of us grow up being taught that leaders are assertive, decisive and dominant but is that always true, or even always desirable? A few years ago I went to a leadership session facilitated by Rebecca Fry that started with a personality test. As I filled it out I couldn’t stop thinking, “I’m answering these questions all wrong. Clearly I’m not leadership material!”
It turned out, the point was that there is no “wrong” personality for aspiring leaders. Instead, the test identifies you as one of four birds, each with its own characteristics and its own unique leadership strengths.
As I see it, doves tend to lead from within, peacocks by inspiring, owls by coordinating and eagles by directing. The takeaway: leaning into abilities that come naturally is more effective than trying to fit/squeeze into a prescribed/limited definition of leadership.
Climate Club has often written about how we need everyone in the climate movement – and that includes all types of leaders. Just because you aren’t the loud eagle commanding the crowd, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t leading. To the doves out there, if you are leading by example in your kind, empathetic way and nudging your friends to sign a petition, you are still leading. To the owls, if you are using your strategic mind to forge an innovative decarbonisation plan, you are still leading. To the peacocks, if your energy and creativity is persuading people to join the climate movement, you are still leading.
What can we do today?
The most-clicked link last week was our submission guide for the proposed changes to the NZ emissions trading scheme!
🐝 5 minutes: Join hands, start a commuter train!
The historic Southerner Train line runs from Invercargill, via Dunedin to Christchurch. It was recently revived as a tourist attraction, running just a few days out of the year. The Future is Rail is campaigning for the route to become regular with modern trains, which would offer affordable and cleaner public transportation to around 750,000 South Island residents.
Action: Sign this petition to the house of representatives urging them to restore the Southerner Train as a regular public transport service.
🐇 15 minutes: It’s getting hot in here, so let's take our methane slow
Over 25 international climate change scientists have written an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon warning against the government’s proposed review of New Zealand’s biogenic methane targets, pointing out that a less aggressive methane reduction target ignores scientific evidence and “creates the expectation that current high levels of methane emissions are allowed to continue.” Luxon has dismissed the letter and experts as “worthies,” a facetious term for notable experts. We need to make it clear that New Zealanders want robust methane targets based on scientific evidence.
Action: Send an email to Climate Change Minister Simon Watts against the proposed review of New Zealand’s biogenic methane targets using our email template.
💃🏽 30+ minutes: Work it
Last month, Deloitte released its annual survey of millennial and Gen Z employees. Around 70% of those surveyed said a company’s environmental record is very or somewhat important when evaluating them as an employer, and almost half say they’ve put pressure on their employers to take action on sustainability. If you’re keen on pushing for climate action in your role, Project Drawdown has Job Function Action Guides for 12 common job types, with more to come! Each guide provides specific actions you can take to align your job with your passion for the planet.
Action: Find your role on Project Drawdown and commit to completing one of the recommendations.
Event
Online 11 June, 8pm - 9:30pm: Parenting in the climate crisis can be overwhelming. Parents for Climate Aotearoa is hosting a monthly climate cafe for parents and caregivers, a space to share, connect and provide emotional support . Register for the event here.
In case you missed it!
World Oceans Day (June 8th) has recently come around again, ever more relevant given the essential role the oceans have in sequestering carbon and supporting many many ecosystems. Get stuck into these quick watery actions to celebrate:
Petition calling on NZ to support a global ban on deep sea mining
Petition to create new global ocean sanctuaries
Sign Forest and Bird’s open letter to PM Luxon demanding action on the Hauraki Gulf/ Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill
Bonus!: ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ recently came out and is a great viewing if you need a reminder of why our oceans matter and what we can do to protect them.
Wins!
30 out of 44 monitored towns and cities in Aotearoa have had improved air quality over the last ten years. While this is good for community health ,air pollution in winter is still an issue.
Auckland Council’s Albert Street office is phasing out disposable takeaway cups and promoting reusable alternatives. They plan to be single-use cup free by the end of 2025.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy these climate wins of the week by goodgoodgoodco and commonsearth.
See you next week,
Evelyn & the Climate Club team
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