Friday, May 24th is the next global School Strike 4 Climate.

Students from throughout New Zealand and the world are rising up to demand climate action from our Governments. Our regional events are being organised, and students all over Aotearoa are painting their placards, ready to strike from school again to demand climate justice.

The Zero Carbon Bill released on Wednesday was long awaited and is a step in the right direction, but it is not sufficient.

We are striking to demand that all parties in Parliament support passing into law an ambitious zero carbon act that sets in place a goal of being Zero Carbon by 2040.
• This Bill should align with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees celsius. According to the IPCC, this requires immediate, transformative reductions in carbon emissions over the next decade. So, if we’re serious about meeting the 1.5 target, we must have a comprehensive plan in place to halve our carbon emissions by 2030.
• A mechanism needs to be created for these targets to be legally enforceable. As the bill currently stands, Section 5ZJ states that if a government fails to meet a target, a court may only issue a declaration of breach. No other remedy is allowed. This clause must be re-written to give the bill the “teeth” it needs to drive transformative change.
• We demand that the Bill requires the Government to implement a transparent and equitable national adaptation plan.
• We demand the Bill has a methane reduction target of at least 47% by 2050. We believe that a single, clear target is crucial for allowing the farming sector the long-term certainty they need to transition. A target of 47% reflects New Zealand’s ability and responsibility as a rich developed nation to do more than bare minimum global average 35% methane reduction by 2050 set by IPCC. Transforming the agricultural industry and moving to more sustainable land-use practises is important for addressing the other interconnected environmental crises we are facing, by regenerating the land, improving water and soil quality, increasing biodiversity and diversifying our economy - this will make us more resilient.
• It is crucial that the Zero Carbon Bill honours the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is intergenerationally and socially just, this means that all Government and Climate Commission plans and policies must be guided by comprehensive and meaningful consultation with Tangata Whenua and younger generations in particular.

We cannot stress this enough: this is our future. Our voices will be heard. SS4CNZ will not stop until the action we demand is taken because it is our future that is at stake.

Tony Huang, a co-convenor of SS4CNZ, says, “We're striking again on May 24th as we still don't feel that our planet and our future is secure. Until the youth of Aotearoa can feel that our futures will be safe from the devastating effects of climate change we will continue to strike.”

Along with demands to make the Zero Carbon Bill more ambitious, we are striking because:

• We demand that the Government acknowledges the magnitude of the climate crisis by declaring a climate emergency. This move will set the narrative for the urgent pace at which we need to act on climate change, but must uphold our democratic systems and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

• We demand that all parties in Parliament support passing an ambitious Zero Carbon Act into law that puts in place a legally enforceable plan to get to zero carbon by 2040.

• End fossil fuels - we demand that the Government ceases all new exploration and extraction of fossil fuels. This includes not granting any extensions of existing permits. This must be paired with Government investment in renewable energy production and sustainable transport systems to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

• We demand that the Government invests in building a renewable and regenerative economy now. This means immediate investment in retraining and the provision of alternative jobs in clean, sustainable industries that don’t harm the ecosystems on which we depend for survival. This must be done through meaningful partnerships with communities, Tangata Whenua and youth to ensure a just transition and that noone is left behind.

We are striking because we have everything on this planet that we love and the climate crisis is slipping out of our control more with each day which puts everything and everyone at risk. If we don’t make these changes now, it is us youth who will inherit the consequences of inaction. We must act now or we will be handing on an uninhabitable planet to our children and future generations.

This time around, events and action will vary around the country. Regions are not limited to striking with protest action: we are taking action in different ways, depending on what suits the region.

In Auckland, a strike and lie-in is being held in Aotea Square and Queen Street at 12pm.

In Wellington, students are gathering at Civic Square at 11am and then marching to Parliament at 12pm, where they will rally until 3pm.

In Kāpiti, students are gathering outside the Kapiti Coast District Council at 12.30pm to make their voices heard and write letters to demand action.

In New Plymouth, students are gathering at East End Beach for a beach clean-up.

In Nelson, striking students are meeting at the Church steps at the top of Trafalgar Street.

In Palmerston North, students are gathering outside of the Palmerston North City Council Building at 12.30pm.

In Dunedin, students will be demanding climate justice from The Octagon from 1pm.

In Wairarapa, students are gathering in the Masterton Town Square at 1pm, followed by a tree planting at Masterton Intermediate School.

In Christchurch, students will stand up for their futures at 1pm.

In Taupō, students are bringing their placards and chants to Colonel Roberts Reserve at 9am.

In Gisborne, students are gathering to clean up the regions beaches at Midway Beach at 12pm.

In Hamilton, students will be meeting outside the Hamilton City Council Building at 12:30pm to protest, speak and partake in letter writing and petitions.

In Oamaru, students are coming together at 2.20pm outside Waitaki Girls’ High School Hall.

In Takaka, students are meeting in the intersection beside Golden Bay High School at 11am, from where they will leave and march into the main township.

In Karamea, students are marching to Market Cross at 11am, and then moving to Oparara River Mouth for a planting.

In Waihi, students are meeting at Union Hill at 11am for a tree planting.

In Kerikeri, students are sitting in front of MP Matt King’s office from 12pm to 2pm.

There are still more events being organised to stay tuned for more info in the coming week!

SS4CNZ will not stand for inaction or mediocre plans. We need definitive justice for climate now. On May 24th, join us.

ends

© Scoop Media