Issue #58: Every generation for the future
On sustaining the momentum of the strike
Welcome to our new writer, Cathy Breed! We’re really excited to have Cathy on as part of the Climate Club team. She is currently doing her Masters of Environmental Science at Victoria University and will be joining us in writing these weekly newsletters.
Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
Last Friday thousands took to the streets all over Aotearoa to show support for the School Strike 4 Climate. As we build towards what’s already being described as a climate election, it’s clear where the hearts and minds of our young people stand.
The School Strike 4 Climate NZ had five clear demands for our government:
1. No new exploration or mining of new fossil fuel resources: We need to stop burning fossil fuels not increase it. More exploration for fossil fuels just doesn’t make sense.
2. Lower the voting age to 16: The Supreme Court found that preventing 16 & 17-year-olds from voting is a breach of human rights. As the group with the most to lose from delaying climate action, they need to have a say.
3. 30% Marine Protection by 2025: Oceans are our biggest carbon sink, and by protecting them we can maintain healthy coastal ecosystems that will help us suck up carbon.
4. Support for farmers in their transition to regenerative farming: Agriculture accounts for 50% of Aotearoa’s emissions. Many farmers are looking to change their land use, but they need more support.
5. E-bike rebates for low-income households: A similar scheme for electric cars has been an overwhelming success. A rebate will make e-bikes affordable and reduce congestion on our roads.
Now it falls to us to sustain the momentum of the strike and make sure that these demands are met.
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was once again our list of the new paid & volunteer roles in climate! Get amongst 🤘
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: E-ager for E-bikes and E-lectricity
E-bikes are a space and energy efficient way to put a stop to car dependency (not to mention fun!). But buying an e-bike can be expensive, so providing financial incentives is a great way to support sustainable transport options for many households.
Over 200,000 people lost power from Cyclone Gabrielle. The big five electricity companies control all access to electricity in NZ and prioritise profits over access to something as essential as power. 350 Aotearoa are calling for local projects that would be more resilient to natural disasters, lower in emissions, and affordable for everyone.
Action: Support 350 Aotearoa’s Homegrown Energy campaign, starting with this petition
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: No new mines would be fine
Do you know where your local MP stands on seabed mining? Ocean exploitation threatens this massive carbon sink and planet heat regulator. This week, the ‘Seabed Mining Prohibition Amendment Bill’ is likely to be read in the Parliament, and it could protect our seas from mining companies using extremely damaging methods.
Action: Write to your local MP and tell them why you think they should vote for a ban on seabed mining in Aotearoa.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Be a zero hero
The Dunedin City Council has set a target of Zero Carbon City by 2030, and are seeking input on the ways they achieve that. The survey is simple and easy for anyone to fill out, and want a wide range of input!
Action, Dunedin folks: Take the survey and plan your own zero carbon transitionVarious in-person locations & Online: Affordable and accessible rail services can connect New Zealanders without the extreme carbon cost of short haul flights. This year the Restore Passenger Rail group is serious about getting the government to listen to citizens' demands and provide low carbon transport options.
Save the date
Tāmaki/Auckland: Know someone who worries about climate change, but doesn’t know how we can combat it? Send them along to our first in-person climate game in Auckland this year - open to anyone (great with friends, colleagues, family members), regardless of where they are on their climate journey.
Wins!
Governments at the United Nations have just agreed on a Global Ocean Treaty! Our oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the world’s excess heat over the last decades, and it is a critical buffer to climate change - but its ability to absorb heat will wane with more damage.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this guide on how to create a marine reserve proposal. While the government's stance on marine protection is watery at best, pathways exist for ordinary citizens to create new marine reserves. Local swim clubs, schools and even geography classes have been the forces behind many successful marine reserve applications - the next one could be you!
See you next week,
Cathy and the Climate Club Team
This is a great post! It really lays out what we need to do. I’m trying to spread the word about the Climate Crisis and pollution on my own Substack too -- but I have a ways to go.