Issue #48: Our first birthday 🎂

One year and 1000 subscribers later

Mōrena, and happy Tuesday,

It's been exactly a year since we started mailing out lists of the most impactful ways to take quick climate action. In perfect timing, we also just hit 1,000 readers!

We’re so proud of all the climate actions we’ve taken together over the past year. On average, each of you wonderful readers has taken ten climate actions from the newsletters over the year, and some of you have taken more than 200. 🎉 And to anyone who’s yet to take their first step into climate action - welcome, you’ve come to the right place 💚

Some climate highlights from this year:

• ✔️ There was huge support for the Auckland Climate Action Targeted Rate (CATR) and the Transport Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP)

• ✍️ Over 150 people engaged with various proposed changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme

• 🏦 Readers wrote in asking their banks to divest, and the NZ public is now on the side of divestment

• 🚌 Half-price fares for public transport extended until February 2023

• 🚲 Hamilton and Wellington got new bike networks

We’ve put together a Birthday Reader Survey to get to know how we can improve this newsletter for you! The survey should take just a few minutes, and you can skip any of the questions you don’t want to answer. We would love to hear from you no matter where you are on your climate journey 💌

But until New Zealand gets the green CAT rating (and our act together), we have more work to be done. Just this week politicians admitted our Zero Carbon Act isn’t locking in sufficient emissions reductions. Boo. So let’s get acting!

What can you do today?

The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was a petition asking for responsible RNZ climate news coverage. 

🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Fare’s fair for half-priced fares

• The campaign to reduce prices of public transport really came into its own with the cost of living crisis. It’s been a hugely positive and impactful campaign, and it would be exciting to keep these prices.
  Action: Sign on for half-priced fares forever

• One of the last week’s most exciting wins was NZ’s Supreme Court ruling: preventing 16- and 17-year-olds from voting is a breach of human rights. The government will now be voting on lowering the voting age soon, so it’s time to show our support for giving a say to those who will be most affected by the climate crisis.
  Action: Sign the petition to show your support for lowering the voting age

🐇 If you have 15 minutes: No more hot air

• Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are potent greenhouse gases, with global warming potential hundreds or thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide. Climate groups in Aotearoa 💚 product stewardship and phasing out of potent greenhouse gases, so let’s show them our support.
  Action: Support product stewardship & better management of f-gases by using this submission guide

• Public submissions for inter-regional rail are being heard currently. Email your MP to let them know that you’d like a climate-friendly option for getting between places!
  Action: Use our quick email template to let the sub-committee know you’d love to see inter-regional rail! 

💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Constant vigil-antics 🧙

• Ōtautahi Christchurch, 6pm - 7:30pm Friday: Green Party Co-leader James Shaw and Christchurch City Councillor Sara Templeton are having a COP27 debrief on climate action there & in Aotearoa.
  Action: Join the COP27 debrief with James Shaw

• Pōneke Wellington, 3:45pm next Tuesday: It’s no secret we’re big train fans around here. Supporters of Restore Passenger Rail are meeting with the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Michael Wood next Tuesday, and they will be holding a peaceful vigil outside Parliament during this time.
  Action: Join Restore Passenger Rail at 3:45 on Tuesday December 6th

• Tāmaki Auckland, 10am - 11:30am next Thursday: The Beautification Trust and Auckland Council are holding a free workshop for Ōtara-Papatoetoe residents to have your say on the future of climate action in your local community.
  Action: Join them at the Papatoetoe Food Hub (no registration needed, just turn up!)

• Tāmaki Auckland, 6pm - 9pm next Thursday: The Territory is a film about an indigenous tribe in the Amazon trying to protect their land from illegal settlers encouraged by the previous Bolsonaro government.
  Action: Join the free screening at Massey University

In case you missed it

• Although the consultation to price agricultural emissions are closed, the decision makers are still pontificating. If you missed out on your chance to submit, send a few words of support for the immediate pricing of agricultural emissions (and ideally a stronger scheme) to agemissionspricing@mfe.govt.nz

• Auckland Council are considering pausing three vital transport projects that would link the city to Grey Lynn, Westmere and Pt Chevalier. Send a clear, polite, warm message to Auckland Council using Bike Auckland’s resources

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That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this photo of Eden being a ray of sunshine in the park. Send us your pet photos if you want to see your furry (or non-furry) friend in Climate Club!

See you next week, 

Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club