You Are Here:
Be the change you want to see in the world. This was Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and call to action; to practice what you want rather than just talking about it. It was -and still is - an empowering and inspiring way to make change. For this reason we’ve named a recently-formed coalition on climate change, “Be the Change”. The coalition has started with Greenpeace, Oxfam and Forest and Bird, but by Christmas will include many more organisations, individuals and community groups; from Bluff to Kaitaia and from the cowshed to the boardroom. Everyone who’s concerned about climate change can join by taking some sort of personal action, and encouraging others to do the same. Our collection actions then send a strong message to politicians that we want leadership and real solutions to climate change.
I am writing this from a friend’s house in Te Anau, about to go walking for 3 days on the Routeburn Track. Driving the Southern Coast and up to Te Anau has reminded me how beautiful this country is and how easily we could lose what’s precious about our way of life.
The last few months have seen the profile of climate change rise dramatically in the consciousness of the media and the public. The trick is to sort out the rhetoric from the real stuff so that we don’t go back to sleep thinking the problem is being solved. That’s why it’s time to draw on people power. Already in many parts of the world, people have decided that they can’t rely on the government alone to do what’s necessary on this issue and so are taking action themselves. And in pockets of New Zealand, the same thing is happening. Individuals and groups are getting active and bringing about real change. We need to see more of this.
Christmas is almost on us and with it the mad rush of consumerism. In the spirit of people power let’s reclaim our force as citizens rather than consumers and think about what difference we can make to the climate this season.
BUNNY McDIARMID
I am writing this from a friend’s house in Te Anau, about to go walking for 3 days on the Routeburn Track. Driving the Southern Coast and up to Te Anau has reminded me how beautiful this country is and how easily we could lose what’s precious about our way of life.
The last few months have seen the profile of climate change rise dramatically in the consciousness of the media and the public. The trick is to sort out the rhetoric from the real stuff so that we don’t go back to sleep thinking the problem is being solved. That’s why it’s time to draw on people power. Already in many parts of the world, people have decided that they can’t rely on the government alone to do what’s necessary on this issue and so are taking action themselves. And in pockets of New Zealand, the same thing is happening. Individuals and groups are getting active and bringing about real change. We need to see more of this.
Christmas is almost on us and with it the mad rush of consumerism. In the spirit of people power let’s reclaim our force as citizens rather than consumers and think about what difference we can make to the climate this season.
BUNNY McDIARMID
