The Election Roadshow for Climate arrived in Nelson today (Septemeber 23) while on journey north to Wellington.  The Roadshow is being organised by Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa New Zealand, with support from Aotearoa Climate Emergency. The Roadshow is seeking to put climate action on the agenda for the 2020 Election, calling for:

  • a national declaration of a climate emergency

  • a Citizens Assembly on Climate Change

  • a green, sustainable, economic recovery from the pandemic

 

Phil Saxby, a South Island Roadshow crew member and representative of Aotearoa Climate Emergency (ACE) was joined by local Aaron Stallard to discuss the impacts of the climate crisis on Nelson region as well as steps forward for reducing and mitigating harm. 

 

Aaron Stallard talked about the current changes, saying “Nelson is currently grappling with the impacts of climate change. We had a large fire two summers ago. Things don’t seem to be getting better as fire seasons are longer and more intense due to drier and hotter summers. On top of this we have low dam water levels due to inconsistent rainfall and this causes a strain on irrigation and agriculture.” 

 

Aaron Stallard also has his eye on the Covid-19 recovery stimulus. 

“There are several billion dollars being spent locally and internationally on economic recovery infrastructure projects. If those projects are focusing on business as usual then we are going  to miss our emission targets.” 

Aaron implores for there to be “a real emphasis on investing in projects that are consistent with New Zealand’s low carbon target.”

 

Phil Saxby, a representative of both Extinction rebellion Aoeteroa and Aoteroa Climate Emergency, agrees. ”We want to see the economic recovery from the pandemic to be a sustainable and green recovery.”

 

Aaron Stallardnow sees now as the time “to build an infrastructure that lasts 100 years. We need to use the cash and emission budget we have to future proof ourselves.” 

The climate roadshow will continue to Blenheim tomorrow as it makes it way to Wellington on the 25th of September meeting with the Northern roadshow van.