Have your say for a 350 future!
Home » Blog » Sarah Heeringa » Have your say for a 350 future!The Minister for Climate Change Issues, the Hon Dr Nick Smith is holding public meetings around the country this week. This is your chance to influence the policies the Government will take to the United Nations Climate Change negotiations in December
The Government needs to know that New Zealanders are willing to step up to the challenge of doing our fair-share on climate change. The consultations currently going on around the country are one of the most important steps in the build up to the negotiations in Copenhagen.
To have a chance of getting back to 350ppm, New Zealand needs to step up and set an ambitious target: to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 40% relative to 1990 levels, by 2020.
The Auckland meeting was held last night and Wellington’s was on Monday. There was a fantastic turnout in Wellington for the first session with about 400 people gathering to express their concerns to Nick Smith.
It’s not too late to get involved!
Here's how to have your say on New Zealand’s 2020 emissions target:
- attend one of the meetings being held around the country (see list below)
- submit questions for the Minister for Climate Change Issues’ online video conference to be held from 7.30pm on Monday 20 July. After the 20th you can view the conference here. Questions can be submitted in advance at: 2020target@mfe.govt.nz
- email or write to the Minister with your views at nick.smith@ministers.govt.nz or Hon Dr Nick Smith, Minister for Climate Change Issues, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143.
350 Aotearoa has developed some general ideas for how to approach and get involved in the consultations — even if you don't know much about climate change. Check out 350.org.nz for more information.
Also check out Greenpeace's campaign at signon.org.nz
Public meetings
If you are planning to attend one of the remaining public meetings, you can register your interest here.
- Christchurch: Convention Centre, Hall C, Christchurch. Wed 8 July, 7.30pm – 9pm
- Dunedin: Clifford Skeggs Gallery, Dunedin Civic Centre, Dunedin. Thurs 9 July, 7.30pm – 9pm
- Queenstown: Icon Room, Heritage Hotel, Queenstown. Fri 10 July, 7.30pm – 9pm
- Hamilton: Waikato Room, SkyCity Hamilton, Hamilton. Mon 13 July, 7.30pm – 9pm
- New Plymouth: Conference Room, Plymouth International, New Plymouth. Tues 14 July, 7.30pm – 9pm
- Napier: Ocean Suite, East Pier, Hardinge Road, Napier. Wed 15 July, 7.30pm – 9pm
- Nelson: Waimea Room, Rutherford Hotel, Trafalgar Square, Nelson. Fri 17 July, 7.30pm – 9pm
