Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
Many exciting climate events happened this week in Aotearoa: the Northern Explorer Inter-Regional Train between Auckland and Wellington is back in operation 🥳
…And the global climate strike went very well locally too.
The Climate Change and Business Conference was also held in Auckland last week, with big names from business and government coming together with activists to talk shop. None of us from Climate Club were there, but here’s a summary we think is a good reflection.
And of course, the Auckland Climate Festival kicks off this week! Climate events of this scale didn’t exist 20 years ago. Although there is plenty of room for improvement in the content and pace of action, looking back at the last 10 years, climate action has definitely accelerated.
Let’s make the most of all the wonderful ways that we can gather and act together in community, while we’re on this climate journey together 🥰
Thanks to Melanie from The Turnstone for the shout out in her last newsletter on climate change solutions - and welcome to all the new readers from that community!
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the Local Election Guide 2022. Voting is open until October 9th midday October 8th (Oct 4th if you’re mailing in!), so definitely vote if you haven’t, and nudge everyone you know to do the same!
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Jump on the banned wagon
Have you seen the zany adverts calling out airlines for greenwashing? There’s a growing movement to ban these “badverts” from being legal. This includes car and travel adverts.
Action: Join the call to ban gas guzzler ads in AotearoaProtect Our Winters is campaigning for local election candidates to electrify public transport in the Queenstown Lakes district.
Action: Sign their open letter to local candidates
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Secure a climate cure
The term ‘National Security’ seems a little old-fashioned in the face of the various forms of threats facing New Zealanders these days. A humble footsoldier can’t protect us in the same way from racist online threats or TikTok climate disinformation campaigns! This is all the more reason to review how we define security and make sure to include all threats (surprise! We’re talking about climate change).
Action: Submit on the National Security Strategy Consultation using the template written by our very own Climate Club member Bronwyn!
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: We’re owed loads more abodes
The Coalition for More Homes has put together a submission guide for changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan to enable housing supply. It emphasises the importance of denser cities and better public transport surfaces, for lower environmental impact, shorter commute times, and better connectivity.
Action: Submit using this handy template from the Coalition for More Homes
In case you missed it!
Our very first in-person event will be taking place as part of Auckland Climate Festival on October 13th. Come along if you’re based in Tāmaki Makaurau!
Know anyone who’s great at social media? Send them our way! Apply for our social media volunteer role.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this 10-minute episode of Citizen’s Handbook Season 2, especially this bit at 8:43 about fossil fuel divestment.
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club
Correction: Voting is open until midday October 8th (Oct 4th if you’re mailing in!), not October 9th!
See here for all local election key dates: https://www.votelocal.co.nz/information-for-voters/key-dates/