#76: Climate could do with a rebrand

On getting clear on the most impactful actions

Mōrena, and happy Tuesday, climate clubbers! 

Eight out of ten Kiwis now say that they are concerned about climate change. But we’re still unsure about the most effective way of taking action. In a recent poll, most of the people surveyed thought that recycling is the most impactful change they could make. We’re big fans of recycling here, but it doesn’t actually have as much impact on the climate as other actions, coming in at #60. 

As a country, we overestimate the effects of recycling, but underestimate changes like living car-free (the #1 most impactful individual action), refurbishing houses for improved energy use (#6) or going vegan (#7). Also, what’s not considered in this list at all is our favourite action - changing the systems we live in so that these choices are the most affordable, convenient defaults for everyone. 

Why are we so misinformed? A lot of this is actually due to a decades-long disinformation campaign by fossil fuel companies. Did you know that BP invented the term ‘carbon footprint’? These companies intentionally put the focus on the individual rather than the corporations driving those individual consumer desires. They seem to have had some success, given the recent poll’s results. It’s not that our individual actions don’t matter, but these individual actions need to be taken one step further to snowball into widespread systemic change across communities. This is how we will change the world for the better. 

That’s why it’s great that you’re reading this, because there’s so much we can do by just communicating some of this information to our communities. Any of your friends who recycle could be persuaded to take the next step.

And may I suggest you do it by writing a letter to the editor? We have written a ✨ how-to guide ✍️ for you here. Newspapers are an unexpectedly great way of getting bold climate policies passed. They’re a quick and effective way to get your message out there, with broad, diverse audiences (often outside of our climate-conscious bubbles), magnifying your reach far beyond your social media and other personal networks. For example, in 2022, the NZ Herald reached 598,000 people! 

It’s also a good place to fight some of these climate misunderstandings, and present a different angle on some of the crises we face in our daily lives. Now that you know that eight out ten Kiwis agree with you on the climate crisis, it’s a chance to bring those people in.

However you choose to do it, happy climate action-ing for this week!

What can we do today?

The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the link to check whether your banks and Kiwisaver are climate-friendly - a super quick and impactful win! 💸

🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Sold! To the planet in the green and blue 

• The only way to prevent climate chaos is to not mine for new oil and gas, but unfortunately there is an open auction for doing just that in Taranaki, open until July 26th. Climate Justice Taranaki have an alternative bid for a climate-safe future.
  Action: Sign the petition to stop drilling for more oil and gas in Taranaki now!

🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Christchurch is streets ahead for cyclists

• Way Safer Streets is a series of projects to improve pedestrian and cycling safety and access around Christchurch. There is a lot of interest particularly on the safe cycleway proposed on Aldwins Road to connect Te Aratai College to major cycle routes.
  Action: Use their fun interactive map to click on each project and show your support for these proposed safer routes!

💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: A little less conversation a little more action 

• Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington, Thursday July 13th: Climate Clinic VUW are holding an evening for you to build your climate action toolbox, the wonderful Marnie (who influenced our letter to the editor deep dive!), Sophie Handord, and GenZero.
  Action: Join them at 6pm for their best tips to influence changemakers

• Tāmaki/Auckland & Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington: Make it 16 are holding launches of their regional campaigns this week. People aged 16-18 are part of a group that has the most to lose from climate change, but currently don’t have a say in our government. 
  Action: Join the team at their regional launches this week to hear more about their campaigns

• Canterbury: Canterbury is proposing regional plans for its water, transport, climate action, river revival, flood protection, and property. They have streamlined the feedback they’re collecting from the public into phases, with the first phase asking what you think of where things are at now, and what the future might hold for our land, air, water, coast, built environment and how it relates to climate change.
  Action: Share your perspective on phase 1 before end of August

• The Tourism Environment Leadership Group, supported by MBIE, is consulting on the Draft Tourism Environment Action Plan 2023. They need a strong climate voice, emphasising that we support the tourism sector “rapidly decarbonising domestic transport for use by visitors by focussing on land-based transport” (i.e. not aviation). Aviation needs to peak by ideally 2025 and decrease rapidly in order to hit our targets!
  Action, due 11:59pm Wed 19 July: Use the easy online survey (you can skip questions) or send a short email, highlighting the importance of regeneration, emphasising that sustainable aviation does not exist - we need to prioritise trains & buses over planes!

In case you missed it!

• We’re keeping an eye out on the state of deep sea mining - it’s currently being decided as opposition grows from multiple countries and businesses. Aotearoa has signed on for a conditional moratorium on deep sea mining, but you can still sign the petition to show support.

• Ōtautahi/Christchurch, 24-25 July: Nearly everyone can walk - and walking is the lowest-carbon form of transport, plus it's great for your health. Living Streets Aotearoa is holding a Walking Summit and they would love you to take part.
  Action: Join in person or online - find more info here and register here

Save the Date 

• Tāmaki/Auckland, September 6th: We’re holding a cozy community evening on Turning Climate Anxiety into Climate Action as part of the Auckland Climate Festival and we’d love to see you all there! 

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That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Speaking of different ways to communicate, Enjoy this slightly-altered Spice Girls Flash mob at a bank AGM! 💃🏽

See you next week, 

Dhanya & the Climate Club team