Issue #32: Three days to enrol for climate

On policy for the public good

Mōrena, and happy Tuesday on this foggy week!

Climate volunteers across Aotearoa are prepping for the local elections! Voting for urgent climate policy is a critical step to a healthy climate future, and one of the most effective ways for individuals to get the scale of climate action that we need to see. 

The Vote Climate campaign is a collaboration between 25+ climate organisations around Aotearoa which aims to a) get everyone turning up to vote in October’s local election, and b) help people learn about which candidates have the most climate-safe policies. We’ll be continuing to share info to help you make your choice, but in the meantime, we’ll be interviewing with them this Thursday. Keep an eye out on the Vote Climate Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok! 

What can you do today?

The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the GenZero petition to decarbonise transport in Tāmaki Makaurau. 

🐝 If you have 5 minutes: US vs Them

• The US has a disproportionate effect on the rest of the world, including on the climate. Unfortunately, they’re also up against the interests of moneyed fossil fuel companies and the Supreme Court, so we need to pull every lever we can. One of these is a petition from a group of prominent US climate organisations calling for the Biden administration to declare a climate emergency.
  Action: Support the US in declaring a climate emergency
  Note: you may receive emails from “The Daily Kos” after signing this - you can unsubscribe at the bottom of the email!

• Law can be used to push for climate action in the face of government & corporate inaction. Currently, damage to the environment does not carry appropriate consequences. As a result, companies can simply pay their way through lawsuits or fines, and continue their business as usual. The Stop Ecocide movement (referring to mass damage and destruction of ecosystems) proposes making ecocide a crime, and therefore an arrestable offence.
  Action: Sign to make ecocide a crime

🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Row row row your vote

• Voting enrolments for local elections close this Friday! We don’t normally have actions relating to sharing on social networks on here, because we know that it can feel like a big step for some! But engaging our personal networks in climate action is one of the most effective things we can do to help accelerate the societal shift towards a safe future.
  Action: Encourage your friends and whānau to check if they are enrolled here, and sign up for updates on mayor & local councillor candidates’ climate policies here.
  Take it further: Shoulder-tap 5 friends, or share with your networks - here’s some posts you could share: Instagram & Twitter

💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Do good in your hood

• Christchurch: 350 Christchurch are holding a public meeting with local body candidates to encourage them to promote climate action and sustainability.
  Action: Encourage climate action from your candidates at 7.30 pm Friday 19 August at WEA, 59 Gloucester Street

• Wellington, today: Does sustainable housing design, community-oriented living, and food sovereignty pique your interest? The Tākaka cohousing neighbourhood team is in town to talk about how they’re changing up norms with a sustainable approach to living.
  Action: Come along to the talk at 12:30pm - 1:30pm or 6pm - 7pm (free but make sure you register at the links above so they have an idea of numbers)

In case you missed it

• In Issue #29, we shared a petition calling to cancel the auctioning of oil blocks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unfortunately, that auction started on July 28th, and is still ongoing.
  Action: Keep calling for an end to the auctioning off of part of the world’s second-biggest rainforest

Save the Date

• In September 2019, 6 million people across 150 countries marched for climate action. Global strikes are back in earnest, and the next one is September 23, centering on #PeopleNotProfit. If you’re an organisation/feeling particularly game, consider organising a local strike event for others to rally around! (Share with us of course, we’ll help you get the word out!)

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That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Sadie’s been busy lately, but we hope this week brings you a moment as restful and surrounded by foliage as our friend here. 

See you next week, 

Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club