{"id":68491,"date":"2025-02-20T13:11:17","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T00:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?page_id=68491"},"modified":"2026-03-30T09:34:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T20:34:18","slug":"climate-change","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/explore\/climate-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate Change"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

\n Climate change\n <\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In facing the urgent climate crisis we can make a difference for the future of us all. The actions we take today are crucial.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"MY<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n

What is the climate crisis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis is the shift caused by human activity on average temperatures and weather patterns. And it’s threatening long-term human survival on Planet Earth.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the 1800s industrialised societies have been burning large amounts of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the air. The gases build up over time and like a blanket traps heat, warming the planet. This is what we call global warming. Out-of-control global warming is causing the climate crisis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it’s not just fossil fuels. Cattle emit methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Methane is dramatically superheating the atmosphere<\/a>. And industrial agricultural systems have increased the number of cattle by millions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n
\"Overflight<\/figure>
\n

Climate breakdown is breaking climate records<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, we experienced the planet’s warmest year so far<\/a>. And 2025 was the third warmest on record<\/a>. Increasing temperatures and heating oceans are putting everyone at risk, globally and here in Aotearoa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate breakdown affects all aspects of human life – food production, access to fresh water, health and social cohesion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extreme weather events are destroying homes, livelihoods and infrastructure.\u00a0Native animals and plants are at risk of extinction when their habitats change<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s understandable to feel overwhelmed. Yet the future is in our hands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

\n

Solutions to the climate crisis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From changing how we get our energy<\/a>, to creating more local, circular and wellbeing economies; from protecting the oceans<\/a> and transforming agriculture<\/a>; people around the world are working on many and varied solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stabilising the climate is not up to one country, or one industry, it’s up to all of us, in every aspect of life. Our economic, food, energy, transport industries – in fact every industry has a part to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the technologies needed to reach the necessary global emissions targets for 2030 already exist<\/a>. Governments must strengthen the policies needed to speed their deployment.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What can I do for the climate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best thing anyone can do for the climate is by taking action alongside others.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By joining in climate actions in our community<\/a>, region or nation we can give solutions a chance to work – the solutions that will reconfigure our transport, agriculture and energy systems for a safe climate future. We need to repurpose our economies so that they work for people and the planet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, let’s use our people power to protect current and future generations. Let\u2019s stand together to make the world a greener, more just, and safer place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Join the movement<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n
\n

Take action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n