They're ambassadors for Greenpeace's new Sign On climate
campaign, which aims to generate an unprecedented level of support
for John Key to sign on to a 40 per cent by 2020 emission reduction
target at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December.
The campaign is being launched today at Lucy Lawless' house in
Auckland. "I'm signing on because there's no Planet B," said
Lawless. "There's nowhere else for our kids and grandchildren to
go. We need to get on with the business of tackling climate change.
Our Government needs to sign up to a 40 by 2020 target."
"We need to act on climate change for two reasons," said Stephen
Tindall. "Firstly, I'm a grandfather and I want my granddaughters
to enjoy the New Zealand I've enjoyed. Secondly I'm a businessman.
Unless we hold true to the ideals of New Zealand's clean, green
image, we could lose our reputation, which could mean hundreds of
millions of dollars worth of exports and our whole standard of
living could drop."
Actress Keisha Castle Hughes, (Founder of 42 Below Vodka) Geoff
Ross, Huffer clothing label, farmer Max Purnell, journalist
Francesca Price and actor Rhys Darby are also Sign On
ambassadors.
"Copenhagen is the most important meeting of our time," said
Price.
Castle Hughes: "It's really important for me that my kids have
access to the same resources that I've had the privilege of
having. Our Government needs to do the right thing in Copenhagen
in December."
"Yes climate change is a bloody big issue, but it's also a
bloody big business opportunity," said Ross. "Whether we like it or
not, the world is going to move to deal with climate change. We
have the ability as a country to lead the charge on this. New
Zealand has the best credentials. If we can create the brands and
services to help clean up the globe, we'll be the winners
economically."
The campaign aims to get as many New Zealanders as possible
Signing On to support the 40 per cent by 2020 target. It will
largely play out online at www.signon.org.nz.
Jim Salinger, Nobel-Peace prize winning climate scientist who
until recently worked at NIWA, has been working on climate change
for over three decades. "It's a huge issue that's going to affect
our children, our grandchildren and all life on this planet. I urge
the New Zealand Government to Sign On to 40 per cent by 2020
emissions reduction target."
"If New Zealand doesn't do its bit for climate change this year,
we will look back in 10 years time and regret it," said Bonnie
Soper, who plays Morgan on Shortland Street.
Greenpeace Executive Director Bunny McDiarmid: "The mere fact
that all these people from so many walks of life have come together
should send a strong signal to the government that New Zealanders
support strong action on climate change. It really is now or never.
At no other time will the legacy of today's leaders be so
determined by how they respond to this single issue. They will be
held accountable because the stakes are so high."
"It's common sense really," said actor Cliff Curtis. "Clean up
our planet and it will be a better place to live."
Other contacts: Greenpeace Executive Director Bunny McDiarmid – 021 838 183
Greenpeace Media and Communications – Kathy Cumming – 021 495 216
Notes:
High-resolution images of the Ambassadors and launch will be available free of charge at: http://www.greenpeace.org.nz/media
(Multiple images can be added to the 'lightbox' and downloaded as a
single zip file).
For more information go to: www.signon.org.nz
Exp. contact date: 2010-09-16 00:00:00