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Youth Flood Central Wellington
Youth Flood Central Wellington to Demand Government Action
on Climate Change
Friday 9 March 2012
Generation
Zero
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A flash mob of 150 young people dressed in blue flooded through Cuba St in Central Wellington at 5:30pm today in the form of a choreographed ‘storm surge’.
The event demonstrated the impact that sea level rise would have on Wellington and coastal regions throughout the world unless strong and immediate action is taken on climate change.
The flash mob was organised by
Generation Zero, a group of young New Zealanders who want to
see the Government take stronger action on climate change to
deliver intergenerational justice. 
40 people began the dance and
the group grew in size as dancers emerged from shops and
bars to join in, removing their jerseys to reveal blue
t-shirts. The ‘storm surge’ dissipated after reaching
the end of the Cuba Mall.
“The flash mob demonstrated
the power of human beings to work together and take action
on climate change,” coordinator Rachel Ward said. “Young
people are not just going to sit back and watch while the
Government tries to sweep this problem under the
carpet.”
Research by numerous scientists
and organisations has shown that greenhouse gas emissions
need to peak globally before 2020 in order to maintain a
decent chance of avoiding major climate disruption.
Generation Zero says Ministry for Environment projections
show that New Zealand currently has no plan to start
reducing greenhouse gas emissions at all.
“The Government’s lack of
support for smart transport, its active encouragement of
more mining of coal, oil and gas, and its further weakening
of the Emissions Trading Scheme are taking us in the
opposite direction from where we need to be heading,” said
Miss Ward.
The flash mob was one of many
events run by Generation Zero around the country as students
return to study. Victoria University Student’s Association
Environmental Officer Sophie Turner said it was a great
opportunity for university students to get involved in the
global climate movement.
“Young people are becoming
increasingly aware of the impact climate change will have on
their lives, and I think a lot of them saw the flash mob as
an opportunity to do something fun and positive, while
helping to combat an otherwise serious issue,” said Miss
Turner.
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