Waikato People's Climate March – the People's Climate Change Demands

Hundreds of people gathered in Garden Place Hamilton to call upon the NZ and World's Governments to agree on an enforceable and effective United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at the December Paris COP21 Conference whose opening is Monday 30th Nov10:00pm local NZ time.

Te Kahu Rolleston, MC, opened Sunday’s proceedings with karakia, and his passionate poetry.

Sarah Thompson Waikato University Law graduate explained why she was suing the Minister Climate Change Issues: 'I made the application because the government has failed to set emissions targets that reflect the science on climate change' Sarah is calling on the High Court to review New Zealand's emissions targets.

Speakers included Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker, Waikato Region Chair Paula Southgate, Faith, Environmental, politicians, workers rights, Forest and Bird, Kiribati and Pasifika. Everyone supported the call that New Zealand's Government needs to do more to protect people and planet.

Sambatron's drummers and dancers led the colourful March, from Garden Place to the Ferrybank Park Band Rotunda. The carnival atmosphere March, included a life sized paper mache T-Rex developed by local arts advocate Mark Servian, a paper mache polar bear developed by local artist Edward Hunia and a man in a green suit holding a large globe of the Earth and numerous banners.

The Rally was eager that New Zealand's Government become a leader at the Paris COP21 Climate Conference. They wanted NZ to punch above its weight on behalf of a livable future!

At the conclusion of all the speakers at the Ferrybank Band Rotunda the people considered and unanimously demanded that the Government:

• Quickly transition to a low-carbon emission economy.

• Reduce NZ's net annual greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030

• Urgently develop a plan to achieve our sustainable future, in an open and democratic fashion.

• Use all available technologies in transitioning to the new economy.

• Cease all subsidies to the fossil fuel industries.

• Adopt policies that foster local renewable energy solutions.

• Ensure that the right to make our own laws is not compromised by international treaties - including investment treaties Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA).

To be conveyed by Waikato Climate Action to NZ Government and local MPs.

ENDS

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