Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
Climate Club whānau, thanks to everyone who voted, and to those of you who took one step further for voting climate than you’ve done in the past.
In a world where climate change denial, misinformation, and obsession with privatised capitalist solutions seem to be on the rise, every vote for collective action and investing now in climate-safe homes and communities helps. Results and low voter turnout aside, it shows that a significant number of the people who voted want urgent climate action, reject BAU thinking, and are willing to support those who stand for it.
We’d love to know: did you vote in these local elections? And if not, or you know people who didn’t, we’re keen to hear what could have made it easier for you so that the climate movement can work to lower these barriers for next time - hit reply to this email and let us know :)
Let’s rest up, recharge, and come back ready to organise for the 2023 general elections ✊🧡
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the petition to remove Coca-Cola as the primary sponsor of COP.
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Say naw to urban sprawl
Greater Wellington has a new Regional Policy Statement out with some great clauses in it, including one that tries to ensure that new developments (ie. more homes!) does not result in higher emissions by default. Unfortunately, and maybe at this stage unsurprisingly, this has had some backlash from councillors.
N.B. You don’t have to be a Wellingtonian to submit, it’s as easy as sending an email!
Action: Use Talk Wellington’s handy guide to send a quick email or submitMomentum is gaining on the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty that we shared last week. José Ramos-Horta (President of Timor-Leste) has become the first head of state from a fossil fuel-producing state to call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Action: Endorse a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation TreatyWhy would I, as president of a fossil-fuel-producing country just north of Australia, support such a treaty? The reason is simple. While threatening our planet’s health, fossil-fuel production also delays a more equitable distribution of wealth globally.
- José Ramos-Horta
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: In pursuit of a better commute
We don’t have a bike to work scheme yet in Aotearoa, and bikes are also taxed as a fringe benefit. This means there’s no financial incentive for staff to take up cycling to work. Luckily the Cycling Action Network have written a submission that you can quickly copy paste into the current consultation on amending taxation.
Action: Submit on the consultation to include bicycles in the fringe benefits tax exemption
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Trains over road gains
Submissions to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Interregional Passenger Rail close on October 21st. It's a great chance to share your ideas and tell your stories about passenger rail. Save Our Trains are organising a 45-minute online workshop to cover the parliamentary submission process, look at key issues related to rail, and collectively brainstorm ideas for submissions.
Action: Join and encourage friends to go to the online submission party
Events
The Auckland Climate Festival is on throughout this month! Some of the events are online so you don’t need to be in Tāmaki Makaurau to join. Check out all the events here!
Our own Auckland Climate Festival event: An Evening of Climate Wins is this Thursday 13th October! It’ll feature panellists India Logan-Riley, Emma McInnes, Pok Wei Heng, poetry by Jessie Puru, music by Ema Barton, a bunch of interactive stations, and yummy kai!
Tāmaki/Auckland, Wednesday 19th October: How much of your carbon footprint comes from where your KiwiSaver is invested (hint: a lot!)? Mindful Money, 350 Aotearoa, Fair and Good, and Ethically Kate are coming together to talk about how we can collectively use our money to drive change. Register for “Using Your Money to Shape a Brighter Future”
Wins!
Despite the general trend towards centre-right candidates across the motu, there have been some wonderful people elected according to the preliminary results! Here’s a few:
Pōneke’s mayor is now the incredible Tory Whanau, and they’ve had green candidates elected in across the board.
In Kirikirioa, Louise Hutt was elected for Hamilton West
In Tāmaki, Julia Fairey and Kerrin Leoni are now provisionally elected based on the votes made Saturday, showing that every single vote really counts!
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. If you’re not tired of election talk, Bernard Hickey from the Kākā has written some great analysis on the results, and on a lighter note, enjoy Sadie with her sights on the brighter, more equitable, sustainable future ahead.
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club
Thanks Dhanya, Emily and Jenny, needed your more upbeat take on the week that was. Much appreciate your curation of key events also. Maggie
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny - thanks for your update - highlighting some of the bright spots in an otherwise pretty dismal outcome in local elections. Here in Auckland we have the pleasure of an old white man with no vision, class or intellect throwing out one-line slogans with no substance or meaning and threatening to sack everyone - based on, in his terms, "an overwhelming mandate" - not really sure that 12.8% of the voting public provides much of a mandate!!! Keep up the good work.