Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
In the wake of the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastation, the South Island’s driest summer ever, and Auckland’s wettest summer ever, we are starting to see signs that the fires of climate denial are starting to flicker and die out. Even Chris Luxon has changed his tune, announcing on 1 News that there is ‘no doubt’ that Cyclone Gabrielle was caused by climate change. Luxon’s admission not only offers real hope for a strong collaborative, all-parties climate approach for Aotearoa, it also reflects the changing tide of public opinion. Climate denial is dying.
As denial dies, this is our chance to be brave about questioning our key industries (agriculture, transport, and aviation - some of our biggest sources of emissions!) and rethink how they can contribute to our low-carbon future. With the need for climate action no longer up for debate, we have to sit with the discomfort of looking with new eyes at our biggest climate polluters.
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the call for a Rent freeze in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Also, there are 8 new roles, both volunteer & paid, in the Aotearoa climate space - check them out!
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Slash the slash & slash emissions
In the recent floods, Tairāwhiti Gisborne has suffered heavily from the destructive slash (soil, rocks, and woody material) that has come down with the landslides, taking out vital bridges, roads, and destroying homes. Chronic mismanagement of forestry in the area, including commercial pine forestry, has created these erosion-prone landscapes. This land (mis)use should be re-evaluated as part of our climate change adaptation plans. It also highlights the importance of climate change mitigation (reducing our emissions) rather than just relying on offsets via forestry.
Action: Sign the petition to call Gisborne district council to have an immediate review of acceptable land use
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: That won’t fly
Building a new airport in a climate emergency seems more than a little silly. A group of Aoteroa’s leading academics have outlined the case against the recently proposed international jet airport at Tarras, Central Otago. This open letter was sent to our prime minister, Otago council members, and members of the airport expansion boards, but no one has replied yet. We need to make sure that this excellently reasoned argument gets the traction it needs!
Action: Write an email to airport stakeholders to ask for a stop to the new airport
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: An udderly ridiculous moo-ve
Hey, Canterbury definitely needs more cows... said nobody ever! Back in issue 24, we shared this petition to oppose industrial farming by the Wongan Hills farm company on the shores of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. Now, the company is requesting consent to add yet another intensive farm for 2,200 cows in Canterbury. Environment Canterbury (the regional council) has decided to open up submissions due to concerns that the extra feed lots will create flood and pollution risks. It's a sign that our voices are being heard, but we need to make sure the message gets through.
Action: Write a submission to let ECan know that we simply cannot have more intensive farming, especially not near waterways
In case you missed it!
The ETS is still rather dull yet one of the most important pieces of climate policy our country has. Last chance to write your submission on the latest changes to it!
Action: Write in on the ETS Market Governance submissionThe global climate strike is nearing! Check the Fridays for Future facebook page to find the march closest you on March 3rd.
Action: Print out these posters & put them up around you (Use this post for a recipe for poster glue!)Last week to submit on Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQ). TEQ’s are a way of limiting how much carbon we emit, by giving everyone a ‘carbon allowance’ to spend or sell. We shared this petition for the NZ government to consider investigating TEQs back in issue 42, but there are now just 10 days left to sign!
Action: Sign the petition to get the government to investigate TEQs
Wins!
Extinction Rebellion now has five regional climate council spokespeople 🎉Keep them coming here!
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this resource by Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on how you - specifically - can help with climate solutions.
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club