Showing posts with label Climate change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Climate change. Show all posts
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wellington Youth Climate Forum
Here's a link to a video of the Wellington Youth Climate Forum run back in September. I suggest you check it out if you're in need of a bit of a pick-me-up for action on climate change! Ahhh, the youth, ever-so-hopeful and inspiring.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Democracy...gone by lunch time
If I had a dollar for every time I have heard a news report say that a decision by the National-led government has been "pushed through at speed" I would be a wealthy man.
Today it was in reference to reform of the local government, last week it was about the Auckland super city, the week before that it was the hastiness of consultation on NZ's 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, before that it was the purchase of two warehouses on the Auckland waterfront...the list goes on and unfortunately the reality is dawning on me. We don't live in a democracy.
I have written numerous posts on this blog urging the public to write letters, make submissions and make their voices heard. Sadly, I am coming to realise that these things do not make a jot of difference.
When we have the Minister of Climate Change Issues coming out and setting our 2020 emissions reduction target five days before consultation on this very target is set to close, it is obvious that we do not live in a democracy.
When we have speaker upon speaker at the government's public consultation meetings calling for a 40% reduction by 2020 and our Minister makes a commitment to 15%, I know that we do not live in a democracy.
When we have over 75,000 people signing Greenpeace's SignOn campaign calling for 40% reductions by 2020 but our Minister comes out with 15%, I know that we do not live in a democracy.
When we have Mayors calling the Minister of Local Government a 'bully' for pushing through legislation when it is uncertain he even has the mandate to do so, I know that we no longer live in a democracy. (See more here).
It seems that what may have initally been seen as National's 'decisiveness' has quickly transformed into something verging on dictatorship. Key, English, Brownlee, Joyce, Smith and all your cronies. Lest we forget the damage you have done.
Today it was in reference to reform of the local government, last week it was about the Auckland super city, the week before that it was the hastiness of consultation on NZ's 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, before that it was the purchase of two warehouses on the Auckland waterfront...the list goes on and unfortunately the reality is dawning on me. We don't live in a democracy.
I have written numerous posts on this blog urging the public to write letters, make submissions and make their voices heard. Sadly, I am coming to realise that these things do not make a jot of difference.
When we have the Minister of Climate Change Issues coming out and setting our 2020 emissions reduction target five days before consultation on this very target is set to close, it is obvious that we do not live in a democracy.
When we have speaker upon speaker at the government's public consultation meetings calling for a 40% reduction by 2020 and our Minister makes a commitment to 15%, I know that we do not live in a democracy.
When we have over 75,000 people signing Greenpeace's SignOn campaign calling for 40% reductions by 2020 but our Minister comes out with 15%, I know that we do not live in a democracy.
When we have Mayors calling the Minister of Local Government a 'bully' for pushing through legislation when it is uncertain he even has the mandate to do so, I know that we no longer live in a democracy. (See more here).
It seems that what may have initally been seen as National's 'decisiveness' has quickly transformed into something verging on dictatorship. Key, English, Brownlee, Joyce, Smith and all your cronies. Lest we forget the damage you have done.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Since when did Roger care?
I've been struck by the recent noise coming from Roger Kerr of the Business Round Table - that mitigating climate change through putting a price on carbon will negatively affect the poorest of our society.
When the hell did the Business Round Table ever care about the poor?
When the hell did the Business Round Table ever care about the poor?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Freezing for action on climate change
Last Friday, 5 June was World Environment Day. The theme for this year was "Your planet needs you - UNite to combat climate change".
A public freeze was held simultaneously throughout New Zealand in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson. The event was organised by Mr Freeze, who put the idea behind the event eloquently:
"It takes courage to freeze in a public place. Freezing on your own is freaky. Freezing with five people is sneaky. Freezing with lots of people is easy. It’s the same with action on climate change. Nobody wants to make the first move, but when we play our parts together, the solutions suddenly become breezy."
You can check out a short video of the freeze here
If we are to fully engage with all sectors of society then I think it is vital that we do more actions like the freeze held on World Environment Day. Its message was clear: that together we can do this. It did not point the finger or lay any blame. It illustrated that the onus is on all of us and that there is a growing number of people wanting collective, collaborative action.
There is power in the people.
A public freeze was held simultaneously throughout New Zealand in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson. The event was organised by Mr Freeze, who put the idea behind the event eloquently:
"It takes courage to freeze in a public place. Freezing on your own is freaky. Freezing with five people is sneaky. Freezing with lots of people is easy. It’s the same with action on climate change. Nobody wants to make the first move, but when we play our parts together, the solutions suddenly become breezy."
You can check out a short video of the freeze here
If we are to fully engage with all sectors of society then I think it is vital that we do more actions like the freeze held on World Environment Day. Its message was clear: that together we can do this. It did not point the finger or lay any blame. It illustrated that the onus is on all of us and that there is a growing number of people wanting collective, collaborative action.
There is power in the people.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Act now! Write a letter.
I have recently finished reading George Monbiot's Heat: How we can stop the planet burning and found the final chapter particularly moving. I strongly encourage you to read this chapter, if not the whole book.
As Monbiot writes:
"I have sought to demonstrate that the necessary reduction in carbon emissions is - if difficult - technically and economically possible. I have not demonstrated that it is politically possible. There is a reason for this. It is not up to me to do so. It is up to you."
Monbiot goes on to argue that the internet is much to blame for our population's apathy. He acknowledges that the internet:
"... is marvellously useful, allows us to exchange information, find the facts we need, alert each other to the coming dangers and all the rest of it. But it also creates a false impression of action. It allows us to believe that we can change the world without leaving our chairs."
While I largely agree with Monbiot's take on the internet, there are of course positive actions one can do from the comfort of their chair. Writing a letter to our leaders is one such example. It doesn't have to be long or detailed. Not even well-researched. Just letting them know what you think is important in itself.
I have just sent a letter to John Key (J.Key@ministers.govt.nz) asking the following questions:
What is your government doing to mitigate climate change?
What policies/legislation has been passed by the present government to reduce New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions?
What do you plan to do to reduce New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions in the future?
I urge you to send a letter to the relevant Minister about something that you feel passionately about. Their email addresses follow the same format as the one above for John Key.
The politicians have to know what we think. They are, after all, meant to be serving us.
As Monbiot writes:
"I have sought to demonstrate that the necessary reduction in carbon emissions is - if difficult - technically and economically possible. I have not demonstrated that it is politically possible. There is a reason for this. It is not up to me to do so. It is up to you."
Monbiot goes on to argue that the internet is much to blame for our population's apathy. He acknowledges that the internet:
"... is marvellously useful, allows us to exchange information, find the facts we need, alert each other to the coming dangers and all the rest of it. But it also creates a false impression of action. It allows us to believe that we can change the world without leaving our chairs."
While I largely agree with Monbiot's take on the internet, there are of course positive actions one can do from the comfort of their chair. Writing a letter to our leaders is one such example. It doesn't have to be long or detailed. Not even well-researched. Just letting them know what you think is important in itself.
I have just sent a letter to John Key (J.Key@ministers.govt.nz) asking the following questions:
What is your government doing to mitigate climate change?
What policies/legislation has been passed by the present government to reduce New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions?
What do you plan to do to reduce New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions in the future?
I urge you to send a letter to the relevant Minister about something that you feel passionately about. Their email addresses follow the same format as the one above for John Key.
The politicians have to know what we think. They are, after all, meant to be serving us.
Friday, March 27, 2009
The imperative of action on climate change
At risk of being overly provocative, and, of drawing perhaps unnecessary attention to myself, I have come up with a new motto by which to lead my life:
"I'm not getting a job until the New Zealand government takes urgent, effective and genuine action on climate change."
My argument is that until the government commits to a future that fully addresses climate change, my time is best spent lobbying them to take such action. The reality is that if we continue on the path that we are on - i.e. all talk no action - then the world that our leaders will hand on to our, and future, generations is one that is destined for catastrophic climate change.
This is not a world that I want.
Therefore it is imperative that I (we) do what I (we) can do to change this situation.
Working out how best to communicate the magnitude of climate change and the need for action is an issue on which a lot has been written. I remember reading an article a couple of years ago published by Futerra, a UK-based communications company that specialises in corporate responsibility and sustainability. They recommend that:
1) you should not provide information without simultaneously providing the agency to act; and
2) you should not harp on about 'future generations'.
Although the people at Futerra undoubtedly know a lot more about these things than I do, I have to say that I find it hard not to break these two rules. For one I think that information is central to overcoming apathy. Besides, the reality about climate change is that we ALL presently have the agency to act.
Regarding the second point, I have just spent a night with a couple of friends and their young son - it absolutely guts me to think that this wee fella may inherit a world that will, by century's end, be largely unrecognisable due to our own and our predecessor's excess.
So, despite Futerra's best efforts, I will continue publicising information that may be frightening and/or overwhelming (on that note I highly recommend George Monbiot's "Heat: How to Stop the Planet Burning"); I will continue arguing that we CAN and MUST act now; and I will continue to think and talk about our unborn children's futures.
"I'm not getting a job until the New Zealand government takes urgent, effective and genuine action on climate change."
My argument is that until the government commits to a future that fully addresses climate change, my time is best spent lobbying them to take such action. The reality is that if we continue on the path that we are on - i.e. all talk no action - then the world that our leaders will hand on to our, and future, generations is one that is destined for catastrophic climate change.
This is not a world that I want.
Therefore it is imperative that I (we) do what I (we) can do to change this situation.
Working out how best to communicate the magnitude of climate change and the need for action is an issue on which a lot has been written. I remember reading an article a couple of years ago published by Futerra, a UK-based communications company that specialises in corporate responsibility and sustainability. They recommend that:
1) you should not provide information without simultaneously providing the agency to act; and
2) you should not harp on about 'future generations'.
Although the people at Futerra undoubtedly know a lot more about these things than I do, I have to say that I find it hard not to break these two rules. For one I think that information is central to overcoming apathy. Besides, the reality about climate change is that we ALL presently have the agency to act.
Regarding the second point, I have just spent a night with a couple of friends and their young son - it absolutely guts me to think that this wee fella may inherit a world that will, by century's end, be largely unrecognisable due to our own and our predecessor's excess.
So, despite Futerra's best efforts, I will continue publicising information that may be frightening and/or overwhelming (on that note I highly recommend George Monbiot's "Heat: How to Stop the Planet Burning"); I will continue arguing that we CAN and MUST act now; and I will continue to think and talk about our unborn children's futures.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Slogans or solutions?
Since taking office in Novemeber 2008 the National-led government has made the following policy changes and funding allocations:
* Repealed the ten year moratorium on building new coal and gas fired power stations (see Brownlee's speech on NZ's energy future here);
* Re-newed and accelerated oil prospecting (see Brownlee's press release here);
* Abolished the Govt3 and Carbon Neutral Public Service initiatives (see Smith's press release here);
* Scrapped the ban on incandescent light bulbs (see the story from stuff);
* Invested hugely in road building initiatives with accompanying cuts in public and active transport (see the article relating to this here or read my blog "NZ's road of national significance").
Meanwhile, after a recent meeting with the Australian Minister for Climate Change and Water, (Senator Penny Wong) New Zealand's Minister for Climate Change Issues, Hon. Dr Nick Smith, said "We know that failure to act on climate change is not an option" (see report here).
* Repealed the ten year moratorium on building new coal and gas fired power stations (see Brownlee's speech on NZ's energy future here);
* Re-newed and accelerated oil prospecting (see Brownlee's press release here);
* Abolished the Govt3 and Carbon Neutral Public Service initiatives (see Smith's press release here);
* Scrapped the ban on incandescent light bulbs (see the story from stuff);
* Invested hugely in road building initiatives with accompanying cuts in public and active transport (see the article relating to this here or read my blog "NZ's road of national significance").
Meanwhile, after a recent meeting with the Australian Minister for Climate Change and Water, (Senator Penny Wong) New Zealand's Minister for Climate Change Issues, Hon. Dr Nick Smith, said "We know that failure to act on climate change is not an option" (see report here).
The press release detailing Smith's cuts to the Ministry for the Environment (11 March 2009) had the title "Government committed to real solutions not slogans". I sure am keen to know what the Minister's so-called 'real solutions' are if not mere slogans!
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