Issue #11: The Infrastructure Edition
On creating cities we can live laugh love in
Kia ora, and happy Tuesday! Very often with climate action, it’s easy to slip into only talking about what we don’t want: long highways clogged with one-person cars, fossil-fueled cities, corporate greed taking precedence over equitable outcomes. But there’s also power to be found in dreaming and planning for what an equitable climate-friendly future could look like - cities built around the wellbeing of ecosystems and communities. Design is inherently political, and the design of cities particularly so, since they shape the decisions we make daily. To build these cities, we need to think carefully about the structures and systems underpinning them, and we can start by imagining how we can improve the ones we live in now.
The most clicked link from last week’s issue was Mindful Money’s analysis on whether your KiwiSaver savings are funding Putin’s war, and your collective action has led to media pressure on KiwiSaver fund managers. 🗞
What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Grow your own power plant
In Aotearoa, we have the technology to move to 100% renewables throughout the country. While five major power companies in New Zealand profit from burning coal, our communities suffer from stronger floods, droughts, polluted air, blackouts and soaring energy bills (in the last 29 years, household power prices rose by 79%). Vulnerable communities continue to be at the forefront of these devastating impacts. 350 Aotearoa are calling for a centralised strategy for this transition, including zero-interest loans for household solar.
Action: Join 350 in calling for homegrown clean energyThe past few weeks have made it clear that sanctions are not enough if we continue to import oil and gas from oppressive regimes. Moving away from fossil fuels will help to protect the vulnerable and accelerate climate action.
Action: Call to ban imports of Russian oil, gas and coalOne of our key aims with Climate Club is moving towards a space where we can all play an active role in our democracy. Our voting turnout continues to be low for younger voters, which means that our futures are being disproportionately decided by voters in the older demographics. Making civics education compulsory in schools could give our tamariki the tools they need to vote and ensure all views are represented in our government.
Action: Call on the Ministry of Education to make Civics Education compulsory
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Don’t miss the bus on this one
The transport sector produced 47% of Aotearoa’s CO2 emissions in 2021, with cars and light trucks being the largest contributor to these emissions. We’ve mentioned the campaign for national free public transport fares before (Issue 9), and now Christchurch Regional Council is proposing a new targeted free-fare experiment in this year’s annual budget. Submissions close on April 3rd, and you don’t have to live in Christchurch to submit.
Action: Use this submission guide to have your say on Christchurch’s proposed bus fare structure
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes to 1 hour: Bike the bullet and get creative!
Over the next two months, the Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) and 2022 Budget will be decided upon and released, setting the tone for NZ’s climate trajectory for the next 5 years. Especially during this critical time, your stories have the power to influence people. From now until May 10th, 350 Aotearoa will be collecting artwork and writing from young (and young at heart!) people all over the country, to share with key decision-makers.
Action: Share your story - a drawing, poem, song, video, any creative pursuit, or encourage a friend/young person!Bike Auckland holds a Bike Forum every second month to build community, and to discuss how to work with local communities and government to create better, safer active transport options for your neighbourhood.
Action: Join the online forum tomorrow, March 16th, at 6pm. Open to anyone, anywhere!
Take it further: In Auckland and wheely into bikes? Bike Akl are collecting stories of where people want to see protected bike lanes to share with key decision-makers.
Fridays for Future are organising a global climate strike next Friday, 25 March. In the political arena, people turning up and protesting does have an impact. Tell our government we need bold climate action in the ERP. Recognising that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, please make sure you feel safe while you amplify this collective push for urgent action.
Action: If you’re in Wellington, join the protests every Friday in March 12:30-1:30.
Action: Your region missing? Register your local area and see who turns up!
In case you missed it
💸 Auckland Council’s submission on the Climate Action Rate is open until March 28th. Use the (very!) Quick Submission to have your say & improve funding for bus networks, decarbonise ferries, and build pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this beautiful house made almost entirely out of hemp - we love architecture that responds to the climate crisis! If you want to know more about building with hempcrete, check out the NZ Hemp Building Association, or just hit reply.
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club
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