Election season is upon us and it is more important than ever that climate action is on the agenda. However despite our best efforts we were unable secure high-level speakers from all the main parties for a climate action debate.
The next best thing is for people who are concerned about climate (like you!) to attend other public election meetings and ask a climate change related question.
The first of these is:
Hon David Parker is Minister for the Environment, Trade and Economic Growth, Attorney-General & Associate Minister for Finance along with senior Labour list candidate Dr Ayesha Verrall will be a public meeting at the Waikanae Baptist Church, 286 Te Moana Rd, Waikanae, Monday 10 August at 7PM.
Following this there a number of Greypower meetings in late August and Early Sept, which are listed here: https://www.kapitigreypower.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/Public-Meetings-Poster.pdf
Questions you could ask include:
- What are your top three actions that you will implement to cut emissions if in power?
- What will your party do to support our community and council with adapting to the effects of climate change?
- What visible differences would we see here on the Kāpiti Coast in 2030 if your party was able to implement its climate change-related policies? Would we have achieved the 50% reductions we need?
Some more specific questions you could try are:
Labour:
Your party has depended heavily on the Green Party in coalition to drive your climate crisis agenda. If Labour were to be in government without the Greens, how would you fill the deficits in expertise and in-depth understanding in relation to both emissions reductions and adaptation?
National:
How would National in government ensure NZ achieves the 50% reduction in emissions we need in order not to under-achieve on the net zero 2050 target?
Is National committed to retaining the new requirement on local government to take climate change impacts into account in consenting processes?
How would National ensure a coordinated country-wide approach to adaptation measures with regard to coastal erosion and increased flooding?
Greens:
What will you do to ensure climate change remains central to the political conversation and doesn’t get swamped by the urgency of the coming financial and economic crisis?
If you hear of other election meetings happening in the area please let me know or post them to the LCK facebook group here. If you do attend a meeting, reports on how it went and what the candidates said with respect to climate change and climate action also would be appreciated.