Issue #49: Why we’re here
Why you read Climate Club, and why we write it
Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
Thanks to all of you who helped us celebrate our 1st birthday last week by filling out our Reader Survey (it’s still open, by the way!). Here are some interesting tidbits about our community from the responses so far!
Since reading Climate Club, 70% of respondents said that their participation in climate action has increased a bit, with another 20% saying it increased a lot! 🙌
50% made a government submission for the first time 🌱
Our community is very diverse in terms of location (you folks are all over the motu and even beyond!) and age (an even distribution from 15 years old to 55 & over) 🤝
We also learnt that we could be clearer about what we already have available:
“Maybe some sort of Instagram or Tiktok or Reddit tie in?”
Here’s our Instagram where we post new issues each week 🙂 When we have capacity, we sometimes feature actions as posts or in our story too! Speaking of which, if anyone would like to volunteer as a social media manager for us, reply to this email with your CV
“An index of all past suggestions”
You can read through the full archive of Climate Club issues on Substack here!
And some of our favourite quotes on what motivates you folks to take climate action:
“There is always something to fit into a busy day - even 5 mins helps.”
“Concise and clear instructions on how to act”
“Leaving something for my grandchildren”
We started Climate Club because we were three friends who were really worried about climate change, but found it overwhelming to know how to take action. We hope we’re progressing on our aim to make it easy for busy people to make collective change.
Thank you for reading Climate Club and sharing us with your community 🌱 Thank you also to the wider climate action community for your warm welcome and generous support - we’re constantly learning so much from you all!
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the petition to keep half price fares for good. Ka pai, team!
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Cool it on coal
Expanding, or worse still, creating new coal mines will lock us into decades of carbon emissions. Our current laws allow for creation of new coal mines - even on conservation lands - and previously granted consents mean that we’ve already signed up for years of coal mining.
Action: Call on the government to ban any new coal mines
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Slower cars, lower emissions
Did you know that lowering speed limits reduces emissions (not to mention saves lives!)? The Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan (ISMP) calls for speed limit reductions along state highways both nationally and by region - but it should go further, for instance by imposing 30 km/h speed limits outside all schools, not just some schools. Suggest safer speeds near schools, marae, and other community facilities and safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and all road users.
Action: Use the Living Streets Aotearoa submission guide or submit via the form by Monday 12 December
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Gather Amazonian energy
Palmerston North, 9am Wednesday (tomorrow!): You’ve signed the petition, now join 350 Palmerston North as they hand over their homegrown energy petition to the Palmerston North City Council.
Action: Show your support in person at the council building, or onlineTāmaki Auckland, 6pm Thursday: Join a free screening of The Territory, a film telling the story of an indigenous tribe in the Amazon trying to protect their land from illegal settlers encouraged by the previous Bolsonaro government.
Action: Come along for a movie night!
Wins!
The government has announced significant new funding for green transport projects - new bus stops, routes, and cycleways!
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this neat quiz to find your climate superpower!
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club