Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
Death and taxes: they’re the so-called certainties in life. But like so many things in our increasingly unequal world, money can buy you a better deal on both. Well not just money, specifically loads and loads of money. Being mega rich can apparently procure you an extra 31 healthy years. And as for tax, Inland Revenue and Treasury recently reported that the richest kiwis (net worth of $50 million or more) are paying just 9.4% tax to the average New Zealander’s 20.2%.
So how does this relate to climate change? With the current tax plan, our rich list emits way more and are contributing less than the average Joe to mitigation, adaptation and recovery from climate change events.
“Over the past 25 years, the richest 10% of the global population has been responsible for more than half of all carbon emissions... If we don’t act now, this century may be our last.”
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General
So why are we talking about this in a climate newsletter? Taxes are a powerful mechanism for ensuring that the rich pay their fair share for their emissions. There are other options of course, like tradable energy quotas (personal carbon footprint trading) or banning private jets. But taxing the ultra-rich also has the benefit of generating revenue for initiatives that help us overcome the challenges of climate change (flood relief, subsidising groceries when food prices go up due to extreme weather, creating more bike lanes, subsidising e-bikes as we shift away from fossil fuel vehicles).
If you’re curious, here's a deep dive on how wealth taxes relate to climate action which you can check out here.
A fairer tax system is still up for debate for the coming election. As we get closer to this climate election we should consider wealth tax as a major tool to achieving a fairer, low carbon future. Want to chip in for a fairer tax system? Support Tax Justice Aotearoa’s crowdfunding campaign for fairer taxes this election.
What can we do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the Greenpeace petition to bring back the container return scheme.
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Too much methane in the food chain
Fonterra and the industrial dairy sector are the biggest source of climate-heating gases in NZ. And yet current proposals for pricing agricultural emissions will only reduce methane emissions by a measly 4%... something needs to change.
Action: Sign the petition to cut climate pollution from big dairy
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Get vocal on our global totals
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade wants feedback on Aotearoa’s approach to international climate change negotiations, specifically how we engage at COP (and other big global conferences). We know for a fact that other groups have started submitting on this - in favour of less climate action. It is long, but it’s fine to just answer even just one question!
Action: Have your say here using our handy submission guide.
Auckland Council and the government are working together to fix Auckland's transport network. The integrated transport plan aims to ensure a quality, connected transport system for all transport users - so it needs your input to make sure “fix” doesn’t just mean improving it for car use!
Action: Fill out the survey on the Auckland Integrated Transport Plan before May 14th.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Join the great debate
The Seabed Mining Prohibition Amendment Bill will likely make an appearance in Parliament next month. Tell our MPs how important it is to ban this destructive industry from Aotearoa’s waters once and for all.
Action: Contact your local MP and let them know why seabed mining is so dangerous for our whenua (here are some pointers).
Is economic growth incompatible with ecological sustainability? It’s a fascinating question and one with a variety of approaches. Zoom in or get yourself down to Kelburn campus to hear Dr Mike Joy and Sahra Kress (founder of Degrowth Aotearoa) talk about how to save the planet degrowth vs green growth.
Action: Attend the debate this Wednesday the 3rd at 4:30-6pm.
Wins!
🚃💚Last week, we had an action item to urge Labour ministers to fund new trains for the lower north island. Over the weekend Labour signed up to fund new hybrid-electric trains and increase services between the Manuwatū, the Wairarapa, and Wellington!
In Issue #59 we shared the Huihui Mai survey on how Greater Christchurch should plan for projected population growth. The results are now in and the data showed strong support for denser housing, greener neighbourhoods, and access to public transport . Thanks to all who submitted!
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this video that shows 6,000 indigenous people in Brazil declaring a climate emergency.
See you next week,
Cathy & the Climate Club team