Mōrena, and happy Tuesday,
What a week! Do we say that every week? Over 140,000 Parisians protested climate change and the cost of living, WWF released their Living Planet report, and closer to home our government has released a plan to price agricultural emissions (keep an eye out for submission guides in later issues).
And last Thursday, we hosted our first ever in-person event in collaboration with Foodprint and MUV Talks during the Auckland Climate Festival. It was called “An Evening of Climate Wins”. It was super fulfilling to see over 70 people turn up to hear stories and lessons from collective action, music and poetry. Thanks to everyone who made it the lovely evening that it was. Check out more photos here or our Instagram highlight for snippets!
“Action is the quickest pathway to hope” - India Logan-Riley
So with that in mind...
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the poll - 95% of respondents had voted in the local elections. Maybe sampling bias but we’re happy to know many of you were worn down by our many prompts!
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Let’s quit coaled turkey
Did you know that 82% of public hospitals in New Zealand still burn fossil fuels for heating? This includes 25 coal boilers. It’s incredible that even in 2022, we’re burning coal to heat hospitals, prisons and schools.
Action: Sign the petition to get Te Whatu Ora Southern Hospital to convert from coal to wood chips.There are many schools of thought on how to reduce emissions in the fastest way possible. One interesting idea gives every person in Aotearoa a ‘carbon allowance’, which they can spend or sell. This could help individuals feel more obligated to reduce their personal carbon footprints.
Action: Sign the petition to get the government to investigate TEQs.
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Throw mining under the bus
Green MP Eugenie Sage’s Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill was pulled from the biscuit tin ballot in August. For this Bill to have any chance at succeeding and be given the opportunity for public consultation, Labour needs to support it at the first reading. Unfortunately, Labour has recently indicated that they will not support the Bill, despite making a promise in 2017 that there would be no new mines on conservation land.
Action: Ask your local Labour MP to support the prohibition of mining via email or in person.How do we finance the future transport network we all want? Changing how we get around is super important and our elected officials in transport want to hear from you about how we can build a low-emissions network that works for the people who need it - people with disabilities, parents and their pēpi, and people with lower incomes.
Action: Have your say in this interactive submission.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: More kidding around
The international Kidical Mass movement is coming to Aotearoa on Saturday 29 October, Auckland. It’s a worldwide movement which connects young and old across the cycling community, and advocates for safer cycleways for children.
Tāmaki Auckland: Find a kid, take them biking!
Rest of Aotearoa: organise your own, contact the organiser.Ōtautahi Christchurch: We know there’s myriad benefits to responding to climate change, and yet there have been so many delays. Ōtautahi Christchurch is well-placed to respond to climate change with great people, plenty of renewable energy, and a geography that’s conducive to active transport, so what’s holding us back?
Action: Join a team of local experts on Tues Oct 25th to hear their take on what hampers effective climate action.With local elections over, it’s time to get to know your local councillors (remember, the mayor is just one vote on the council!). If they are right-leaning I guess we can assume this means they’ll do the right thing for the climate ;)
Aotearoa: Search online for who was elected to your local council, do a quick search for news items & social media to see what they think about climate change. Send them a welcome note and tell them you are excited to see bold climate action from them.
Tāmaki Auckland: If you live in Auckland, we’ve prepared a resource for you already from our event 💝 We expanded on the Spinoff’s summary of Auckland’s councillors to include where they stand on climate policy. Save a copy of this guide to how Auckland ward councillors have voted on key climate policies in the past, maybe stick it on your fridge.
In case you missed it!
The Parliamentary Inquiry into Passenger Rail was extended, and it’s now closing on midnight this Friday. Send a submission using the handy guide from Save Our Trains.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy our playlist from the night - we found it helps shake the climate anxiety a bit!
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club