A group of young New Zealanders today delivered a Christmas present to Climate Change Minister Tim Groser: a Christmas stocking filled with coal.

The group delivered the gift to Mr Groser’s parliamentary office at 1pm, along with a card containing a personal message. They then sang a few ‘climate carols’, including ‘Burn Some Coal’ (to the tune of ‘Let It Snow’) and ‘(I’m Dreaming of a) Nice Climate’.

The group was representing Generation Zero – a youth-led organisation that wants to see New Zealand taking strong action on climate change to deliver intergenerational justice. Generation Zero is dismayed at reports of the obstructive role New Zealand played at the recent United Nations climate summit in Durban.

As Minister Responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations, Mr Groser was New Zealand’s lead representative at the talks.

“Tradition dictates that children who misbehave should receive a lump of coal at Christmas time,” said Generation Zero spokesperson Chelsea Robinson. “Well from what we hear, Tim was a very naughty boy in Durban, so we thought a full stocking was in order.”

New Zealand was one of a small number of countries widely reported to be holding back progress in Durban. This was demonstrated by New Zealand receiving four ‘Fossil of the Day’ awards throughout the summit: two first places, a second place and a third place.

Fossil of the Day awards are presented by the Climate Action Network (CAN), a worldwide network of roughly 700 non-governmental organizations. Members of CAN vote for countries “judged to have done their ‘best’ to block progress in the negotiations” in the past day.

Four is the most ‘Fossils’ that New Zealand has received at any of the UN conferences since the awards began in 1999.

New Zealand was awarded its Fossils for reasons including adopting a “deliberately inconsistent” position on extension of the Kyoto Protocol, attempting to “water down the integrity of market mechanisms” for reducing emissions, and “wanting to benefit from a continuation of the Kyoto Protocol without being bound by it.”

“With the dismal outcome in Durban delaying serious action to 2020, Tim is certainly not the only one who was naughty,” said Miss Robinson. “But we are ashamed to hear about the role our country apparently played. These obstructions and hard-line stances add up to lower the overall ambition at the talks.”

“For the sake of our future, we urgently need our Government to be raising the stakes, not lowering them.”

“We’d really like to be able to deliver a nicer present to Tim next Christmas, so we’ll be there throughout this year pushing him and the Government to be good, for goodness’ sake.”

ENDS

Link for high-res photo:
http://generationzero.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/GenZ-Xmas-present_6.jpg

Contact:
Chelsea Robinson – 027 436 4219 / communications@generationzero.org.nz

For more information on New Zealand’s role in Durban:
Press releases on the Fossil of the Day awards: http://www.climatenetwork.org/fossil-of-the-day
Article from TV3 news: http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-Govt-exceptionally-irresponsible-at-UN-Climate-talks/tabid/1160/articleID/237227/Default.aspx

For more information about Generation Zero:
http://generationzero.org.nz

Just like that, election day came and election day went. For me and the many others who have gotten involved – or just taken an interest – in Generation Zero, those brief 15 hours from when voting booths opened to the close of the election night coverage marked the culmination of months of hard work, hefty discussions, and growing anticipation and excitement. Feeling proud of the momentum we have built and the successes we have achieved with very limited resources, I settled in along with the millions of others around the country to finally find out how the chips would fall…

Suffice to say, the result was not a good one for the climate, and hence for our future. I don’t say that as a lefty zealot looking for an excuse to rag on National. I say that as someone who took the time to have a close look at what the different political parties were putting forward, and realised that there really would be a stark difference between National-led and Labour-led governments in terms of their willingness to front up and address the critical challenges to our future. The results of that analysis can be viewed at our Elect Who? website.

The election result was hardly unexpected, but it still came as a disappointment to many of us who were holding out hope that the polls weren’t telling the full story, and National might at least be forced to compromise on some of their less future-friendly policies. In fact, the situation is tighter than it might appear, and the National coalition’s slim majority could present opportunities to leverage change further down the track. All the same, I think the result forces us as Generation Zero to confront and chew on a couple of hard realities.

The first is that roughly half of those who voted supported a party that is encouraging large-scale lignite mining in Southland, expresses an inflexible, one-dimensional view of transport (roads, roads and more roads!), and is fast running away from getting a serious price on carbon in NZ by again watering down the Emissions Trading Scheme.

The second is that roughly one million New Zealanders who were eligible to vote felt either so disinterested or so disenfranchised that they chose to not show up on the day, or not enrol in the first place. A large proportion of this one million will be young people – perhaps as many as one in four eligible 18-24 year-olds were not even enrolled.

There isn’t much point wasting our energy complaining about these facts and contemplating ‘what ifs’. This election result is as clear a statement as any of the work we have to do to secure a hopeful future, and we have to pick ourselves up and learn from it. Here are some of the lessons that stand out to me:

1) Communication and outreach remain as important as ever

We cannot simply direct our anger at the new Government for not doing enough to address the climate and energy challenges. While they do sugarcoat the truth, they have been fairly upfront about their plans and intentions. As the saying goes, in a democracy we get the government we deserve. The people who voted in favour of a National government either agree with National’s stance, or are too disinterested to have taken notice of what they are proposing. The young people who chose not to vote for one reason or another don’t think the choice of government has any relevance to their lives. In all cases, it’s clear that these people are yet to arrive at an understanding and acceptance of the huge threats that continuing with “business as usual” pose to our future.

2) Getting the message out through the media remains hard work

Perhaps none of the above should come as much of a surprise, because climate change and the need to plan for transition off fossil fuels hardly featured in the mainstream election discussion. Instead, what we saw was all eyes on “The Economy”, and even that topic was treated with tunnel-vision. With the question of balancing the Government’s books and squabbles over costings under the microscope, there was little space to consider the bigger picture. Put that one down to National’s strength in framing the debate and Labour largely following suit.

(And I suppose we also need to mention that cup of tea…)

3) We need to make sure climate champions step up

It’s interesting that even the Greens relegated climate change to the back seat, with their three-pronged focus of “jobs, rivers and kids”. Although strong policies on climate and energy were still there, they were buried in the detail. It seems like the Greens made the marketing decision that it would be unpopular to focus on climate change directly. With the strong showing they got, maybe they were right? I for one am not convinced of this approach, though – I don’t think we’ll sort this problem out without talking about the problem.

4) We need to “smash the box”

All that I’ve experienced in the past month demonstrates that people are by and large still thinking of climate change and sustainable energy as issues in the ‘environment’ box. “It’d be nice to be able to do something about it, but that’s a luxury we can only afford if we’re rich.” This election, Generation Zero was in fairly limited company working to change this perception. We’re making progress, but we still have much work to do in making people realise that these are issues that don’t fit in a box – they will have profound effects on virtually every aspect of our lives as we grow older.

When we boil it all the way down, the election result shows that we still don’t have a genuine public mandate for strong action on climate change. This to me sounds like a job for Generation Zero. I’m excited to get thinking, planning, and acting together to build that mandate. Our future depends on it.

What are your thoughts about the election, and what the results mean for us?

Your first sentence should HOOK the reader.  You can do this by making a reference to the news story, a person, anything printable that makes the reader want to keep reading.

Your second and third sentence should outLINE your argument. Generally only one point or line of argument per letter because you have few words to play with.

Your final sentence should SINK the letter into the reader’s mind. You can do this by adding a twist or some other memorable remark at the end of the letter

An example…

Dear Sir,

As a young voter, I have one plea: vote for a future-friendly government.

Decisions made over the next few years will effectively determine the kind of world we inherit. This is true of many issues, but climate change above all. The International Energy Agency has just released a report showing that continuing to build fossil fuel-based infrastructure at current rates for just another five years will essentially “lock-in” enough carbon dioxide emissions over the assets’ lifetimes to make dangerous climate change a near certainty.

The IEA says delaying action is a “false economy” – every dollar not spent on avoiding emissions now will cost us many more in the future. Anyone arguing it’s too expensive to act now is really arguing for no action ever.

Meanwhile, our country is gearing up to extract billions of tonnes of lignite coal in Southland, spend billions on new motorways, and more.

This isn’t about tree-hugging. For the chance of a decent future, we need change fast. New Zealand needs a government prepared to stand up and do what’s right, not what’s convenient.

This election, think future and vote climate. Check out Generation Zero’s electwho.org.nz to find out about where parties and candidates stand.

Paul Young

SUBMITTED TO THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD 21/11/11

How to submit letters

The New Zealand Herald – online submission form

The Dominion Post –  email letters@dompost.co.nz

The Press – email letters@press.co.nz

For others, see the extensive list here.

Young people are being stonewalled by National Party candidates throughout New Zealand who are refusing to meet with them to discuss their concerns.

The outcomes of meetings being held with election candidates around the country are being uploaded to a website called Elect Who, a platform for young New Zealanders to find out candidates’ stances on renewable energy, investment in low carbon technologies, and targets for reducing carbon emissions.

“As young people, shifting to low carbon alternatives is critical to protect our future. We think that all candidates serious about getting elected should at least take the time to talk to us about these issues,” says spokesperson Louis Chambers.

However, he says, when young people have contacted MPs and candidates from the National Party, most have refused to meet with them – directing them to Environment Minister Nick Smith or Senior Government Whip Chris Tremain, or not replying at all.

Lucinda Staniland, who tried to contact National MP Paul Quinn, was told Paul would be unable to participate. “When I repeated the request, stressing the importance of these issues to young people in his electorate, I was again refused a meeting.”

Elect Who has been launched by Generation Zero, a collective of young people frustrated at a lack of action on climate change and committed to finding and enacting sustainable solutions.

The group represents 6000 young people across New Zealand, and has forged partnerships with other youth organisations like Medical Students for Global Awareness.

“The broad support base behind Generation Zero shows that climate change is not just an environmental issue. It’s about our future as young people, something everyone should be concerned about,” says Chambers.

Elect Who organisers say it appears National MPs have had a directive from caucus to channel all requests for meetings to Nick Smith and Chris Tremain.

“Frankly, this is a kick in the teeth for us. We’re not looking for a blanket response from caucus, but rather to inform individual electorates about how their candidates stack up,” says Chambers.

Earlier this year, the Elect Who campaign held successful meetings with Attorney-General Chris Finlayson and National Party candidates in Dunedin. A host of meetings with candidates from Labour, the Greens and the Act Party have also been held in electorates throughout New Zealand.

At these meetings, candidates were filmed responding to key questions about climate change, renewable energies and fossil fuel extraction. They were also asked to complete a pledge card, promising to support initiatives like increased spending on low-carbon and public transport services.

Candidate’s responses can be found at http://electwho.org.nz. In the next week more videos will be uploaded to the website as young people continue their nationwide campaign of meeting with candidates in their area.

“There is still time for National to come to the table,” says Chambers. “Some National MPs have agreed to meet with us despite the apparent directive not to. We are hopeful that the rest of the Party will see the light and stop ignoring the genuine requests of youth in their electorates.”

Further Information:

Louis Chambers, Tel 0274247968 or louchambers@gmail.com

At our super successful Win Our Vote event held in Dunedin last Thursday, National MP Michael Woodhouse publicly stated his opposition to the proposed mining of lignite in Southland. In doing so, Michael has broken ranks with National’s apparent position as recently expressed by John Key: “At the moment companies like Solid Energy are growth companies and we want them to expand in areas like lignite conversion.”

Solid Energy (a state-owned company) has been granted resource consent for a factory to manufacture briquettes from the lignite. Solid Energy also has plans underway for several plants to convert lignite into both diesel and urea (a nitrogen fertiliser). If these go ahead they will cause a huge increase in New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions and lock our economy further into dependence on fossil fuels – read more here.

Send Michael a message of support!

We think Michael deserves some seriously mad props from us. Let’s encourage him to raise the issue amongst his caucus, and be an advocate for leaving the lignite in the ground. You can email Michael at michael.woodhouse@national.org.nz. For the most impact, speak from the heart! Even better, hand-write him a letter and send it to either of the following addresses:

• Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160
• PO Box 807, Dunedin

You can find an example letter below, if you are stuck for words or time.

Let John Key know what’s up!

We also want to take this opportunity to send our message to John Key, and get a clear statement of where the National Party stands on the lignite developments in Southland. You can find a standard letter just below, which you can send to John Key at john.key@national.org.nz – just copy and paste, tweak it a little bit if you like, and sign your name at the bottom. Easy as! Please share this around – the more emails he gets, the more pressure we create for him to make a public statement on the issue.

Thanks for adding your voice – together we are powerful!

Letter to John Key:

Dear Prime Minister Key,

I am writing to ask you to reconsider your supportive position on the mining of Southland lignite. I write this as a young New Zealander with grave concerns about my future. New Zealand and other countries must move rapidly away from mining and use of fossil fuels, towards a sustainable, zero-carbon economy by 2050.

At last Thursday’s “Win Our Vote” event hosted by Generation Zero in Dunedin, Michael Woodhouse MP categorically stated his opposition to the mining of Southland’s lignite reserves, due to his growing concerns about the huge increase in greenhouse gas emissions that would result. You are personally on record as saying, “At the moment companies like Solid Energy are growth companies and we want them to expand in areas like lignite conversion.”

I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Woodhouse that the lignite should be left in the ground, and I support the call from many groups (including Generation Zero, 350 Aotearoa and Coal Action Network Aotearoa) for a legislated 10-year moratorium on new coal mining in New Zealand, to send a strong international message on the urgency of the climate crisis and the role that our country is prepared to play in tackling it, while giving an opportunity to review the moratorium in ten years’ time.

Prime Minister Key, please explain whether the National Party’s policy on the mining of Southland lignite differs from Mr Woodhouse’s position, and if so, why.

The evidence is clear that any hopeful scenario for our future depends upon our country and others taking decisive and immediate action to cut emissions and free our economy from dependence on fossil fuels. As Dr James Hansen has so clearly stated, avoiding dangerous climate change means we must leave most of the coal in the ground – especially low-grade varieties such as the Southland lignite. Actively encouraging new fossil-fueled growth for short-term economic gain simply amounts to an intergenerational injustice perpetrated against today’s young people.

I ask you to deeply consider this letter and I look forward to hearing your response.

Yours in hope,

Example letter to Michael Woodhouse:

Dear Michael,

I am writing to congratulate and support you for stating your opposition to the mining of Southland lignite when you were asked at the “Win Our Vote” event held by Generation Zero in Dunedin last Thursday.

As a young person, I understand that my hopes for a thriving future depend on New Zealand and other countries taking decisive and immediate action to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and free our economy from dependence on fossil fuels. As Dr James Hansen has so clearly stated, avoiding dangerous climate change means we must leave most of the coal in the ground – especially low-grade varieties such as the Southland lignite. Dr Hansen says that large-scale pursuit of unconventional fuels, such as coal-to-diesel conversion, will basically mean “game over for the climate”. It is very heartening to see that you too understand and accept this reality and will not accept such a future for New Zealand.

However, it appears that many of your colleagues within the National Party are yet to acknowledge the reality of our situation. Prime Minister Key is on record as saying, “At the moment companies like Solid Energy are growth companies and we want them to expand in areas like lignite conversion.” This is a huge concern to many New Zealanders. I encourage you to raise the issue amongst your caucus and communicate to them your reasons for opposing the mining of Southland lignite.

Once again I congratulate you for making this statement, and ask you to stand strong for what is right in the face of any opposition. You have my support.

Yours in hope,

The Changemakers workshop organised by Generation Zero’s Auckland Team was lauded an outright success by the 20 or so people who attended last Saturday morning. “Its purpose was to be motivational and educational” says Kirk Serpes, who kicked off the day by outlining how Generation Zero got started. All attendees were then given the chance to share a few comments in regards to their background and why they chose to attend.

This led quite fittingly into Carl Chenery’s session on having a personal narrative. He shared his personal story of how he woke up from the illusion that ‘someone else will take care of that climate change issue’ and how he sincerely believes that everyone has a gift to share towards a good cause. In his case, he appreciates how working towards tackling climate change can contribute to economic and social justice at the same time as helping the environment. He then asked the attendees to consider and share a memory of one point in life where they made a choice which set them on the path towards caring about this issue also.

Martin Tegg shared an easy-to-understand outline of climate change policy and economic theory and how it relates to climate change issues. He pointed out that a large factor hindering an efficient market was the multitude of false information being provided to the public in regards to climate change and that the negative externalities (such as CO2 pollution) are now extreme enough to require interventions into markets. Interventions that put a price on CO2 emissions – such as regulations/permits, carbon taxes and emission trading schemes – were explained in detail, especially in regards to New Zealand and Australia, and this generated enthusiastic discussion amongst the attendees.

Craig Riddle shared some basics of debating, with a focus on how to communicate climate change convincingly. He stressed that first of all you have to build credibility (e.g. using a personal narrative) and outline the context that your views fall into. Building on that, he encourages communicators to state the magnitude of the issue and give an appropriately matched solution, but to stay reasonable to avoid the risk of losing the audience on the topic as a whole even if they were to disagree with the solution. One needs to have a principled base to fall back on if compromise is needed.

Gareth Hughes, list MP for the Green Party, kindly stepped in to explain the structure of New Zealand Parliament and to give some hints on how to engage with politicians (e.g. social media, emails, letters, face-to-face meetings) as well as what to do to help them help you: i.e. preparing a succinct document to describe who you are, the importance of the issue you are interested in, what you want the MP to do for you, and how to get in touch afterwards. He went on to suggest other formal ways of engagement such as petitions (but be sure to follow the formal process for best effect!), written or oral submissions (MPs enjoy hearing from Joe Public as to balance the attention professional lobbyists get), protests at parliament (follow the rules for this!) or organising a debate or event – MPs will be likely to attend if media are present. He made sure to reassure us that MPs are not evil – they are people who want to do what is best for the country – and that results via them are often brought about by public pressure.

Hannah Spijksma drew upon her journalism experience to provide some hints and tips on how to get the attention of the media (e.g. be topical and timely) and how to get a story published (e.g. build a relationship with a journalist). A quick outline of her suggestions: phone calls get better responses than email; if emailing then put the wow-factor in the subject line; make all information succinct and easy-to-understand; be assertive on your topic (since you are the one who knows what it’s all about); be specific (don’t babble on tangents); give them a reason to listen (state the impacts of a story to consider); don’t be in touch too often (because when you have a great story you still want them to be listening); and allow reasonable response times (don’t pester).

Kirk Serpes rounded off the sessions by giving a summary of what Generation Zero’s plans are and where help is needed: e.g. All of the NZ teams are currently looking for volunteers to engage with MPs in various electorates to discuss with them their views on climate change, as well as creative ideas for how to promote Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project on September 14th (e.g. by organising public screenings of the event) and 350.org’s Moving Planet on September 24th. There’s also many other ways to help such as by spreading the Generation Zero brand across NZ, helping out with media opportunities (e.g. publicity via TV, radio) and communications (e.g. making videos, graphic design). Overall, the idea is to get the community engaged and to make solutions for climate change an election issue… If you want to be a Changemaker, get in touch with your local Generation Zero team and we can do it together!

Let’s Zank the Nation

Zanking is the process of spreading the vision by spreading the symbol.

We’ll post them up here on the blog

There’s no limits to ideas, or people! We are Generation Zero! And, remember, we’re trying to be visible, not to vandalise stuff. Don’t Zank anything you wouldn’t want Zanked. Be creative! We want people to take this and make it their own.