Mōrena, and rātū harikoa/happy Tuesday!
Voting is now open for local elections! Check your mailbox this week for your voting papers which should be there by the 21st (and if you didn’t get one, you can still cast a special vote).
Participating in local elections is more important than ever. Even if you don’t know anything about local politics, you can get clued up pretty quick and do your bit for your community with our 2022 Local Election Guide.
Local councils have power over important climate change policies, like public transport, housing, and infrastructure. For example, In Issue 19 we shared Gen Zero’s submission for Christchurch City Council’s draft housing and business choice plan change. Unfortunately, last week the council voted against changing its planning rules to comply with government direction to enable denser (not necessarily taller) housing, even though it reduces emissions and alleviates housing shortage. These are the kinds of decisions that we want to influence as citizens. There is no time to lose on voting for people who will fight for interconnected, low-emissions, accessible lifestyles (and voting out the people who won’t!).
What’s more, participating in elections is becoming more important than ever, particularly with significant numbers of people backing candidates with ties to conspiracy groups (can't believe this is something we have to say nowadays, but that's what's happening). So get voting, and encourage your friends and whānau too 🤝
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the many resources for Make it 16 month!
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Vote for your future
Local elections: Spend 5 minutes this week getting an idea of which candidates have the best climate policies.
Action: Check out the quick candidate scorecards from various climate groups
In Issue 26, we shared a petition to ban deep-sea mining. Unfortunately, and quicker than expected, the International Seabed Authority has granted approval for a trial of deep sea mining in the Clarion Clipperton Zone halfway between Hawai'i and Mexico.
Action: Email Minister Megan Woods asking for a ban of seabed mining in Aoteaora
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Put on your voting coat
Local elections: The Spinoff's Policy website lets you easily compare policies across topics of interest (e.g. climate change, housing, transport, community), and even lets you hide names to avoid bias while you’re selecting the policies you like. Click the heart icon in the top right to get a summary of who you align best!
Action: Go to policy.nz, explore your area’s candidates and their policies
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Get up for Greta
This Friday September 23rd is the Global Strike for Climate, organised by Fridays for Future. As we said last week, if you go to one climate event this year, make it this one!
In case you missed it!
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has opened an inquiry into the future of inter-regional passenger rail in New Zealand, which will be a critical alternative to flying in a low-carbon future. Greg O’Connor, the Chair of the committee, said “We hope interested New Zealanders will take the time to have their say and help us better understand inter-regional passenger rail and its future in New Zealand.” You don't need to be an expert, you just need to have a stake in how we get around this country!
Action: Submit on the role of inter-regional passenger rail using this guideAnnouncing our first panelist at our Auckland Climate Festival event, An Evening of Climate Wins: India Logan-Riley, climate justice organiser at Action Station! Looking forward to seeing some of you there in person :)
Wins!
In Issue #18, we shared a petition calling for a ban on products which fuel deforestation. The European Parliament has now voted in favour of a strong new anti-deforestation law, which would for the first time ban products linked to the forest destruction and human rights violations.
Action: Nudge the NZ government to do the same!
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy Luna, friend of Climate Club, relaxing after appreciating one of the many wonderful hikes maintained by our local councils!
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club