For all life on Earth to continue, we need a stable climate. Without one, increasing extreme weather events will destroy communities and wreck ecosystems. Every aspect of our lives is put at risk from climate change, but together we can fix this. Dirty industries like fossil fuels and industrialised agriculture refuse to take responsibility for the climate destruction they cause. Together, we fight to put an end to these polluting projects, challenge the power big corporations hold, and create a more green and peaceful world.
There’s no more debating if climate change is a reality. Scientists agree: the world is getting warmer and human activity is largely responsible. Today, our planet is hotter than it has been in 2,000 years, and on track to grower hotter than it’s been in two million years.
Right now we are in the midst of a climate crisis – it is a climate emergency – yet for the last several elections, even the politicians who claim to care about our future have done little more than say they believe climate change is real.
Talking points won’t cut it anymore. If we are all going to make it out of the climate crisis, election 2020 must be the first day of a new reckoning against the fossil fuel industry and the beginning of a transformation of New Zealand’s transport, energy and our agriculture sector which accounts for around 50% of our greenhouse gas emissions.
Years of scientific investigation have given us a clear understanding of what’s causing climate change and how humans are contributing. It works like this:
We’re also learning more about the impacts of climate change, many of which have serious consequences for humans and wildlife.
Global temperatures have risen and fallen over the Earth’s history for natural reasons. What’s unique about the warming we’re experiencing now is that it can’t be explained by those natural reasons, and that it’s happening faster than ever before.
Human activity plays a central role. The fossil fuels we burn to power our homes, businesses, cars and more all release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and deforestation for timber and agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Humans are at the center of the problem, but this also means the power is in our hands. The choices we make today will determine the climate of the future.
Still need more information? Don’t just take it from us. Ninety-seven percent of scientists agree that the Earth’s temperature is rising and human activity plays a central role — and NASA has compiled the studies to prove it.
Greenpeace is one of the key organisations working on climate change and global warming in New Zealand, and pushing for climate action. We are the biggest international organisation working on climate change in NZ, and we get results. You can support our work in a number of ways, including a small regular donation, a one-off gift or you can think about leaving something to Greenpeace in your will.
People often ask: what can I do to stop climate change? What can I do to help get climate action? There are many things you can do. Here’s a start!
We want you to take action on climate change because together we’re strong.
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