This article was originally published on The Guardian.

Case study

The Guardian view on Britain's broken politics: a people's assembly can heal the wounds.

The next government should act upon calls for a constitutional convention to reform our flawed democracy.

How do we move to a collaborative environment where we can really respond to the climate emergency?

According to Rod Oram, National’s only contribution is ‘can’t’, ‘won’t’ and ‘no’ from the side lines. However, is this not just a symptom of the way politics is conducted in New Zealand, at least at the parliamentary level? 

Transport is one of the largest areas of emissions for our country; cars form a major part of this sector. I’m often thinking about how to cut my car emissions. I live 10km from my nearest town, Motueka, and 60km from my nearest city, Nelson. There’s no public transport.

The scientific consensus is that the world stands on the verge of unprecedented environmental and climate catastrophe for which we are little prepared, and which affords us only a few years for mitigating action.

The book Project Drawdown, 'The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Developed to Reduce Global Warming', lists Educating Girls at #6 in their rank of most effective ways to reduce GHG emissions, and Family Planning at #7. Together, these 2 Population Change Solutions rank #1 in reduction of Global Warming!

After the fantastic success of the Strike 4 Climate on Friday, we need to keep the pressure on. Wellington will kick off the worldwide XR Week of Action on 7 October with people coming from all over NZ.

A speech at Whitianga Greens public meeting 22 Sept 2019

When Greta Thunberg was asked, after the first huge climate strike march, “Are you hopeful?” she said two things:

Dear NZ Government

            Attn: The Honourable James Shaw

Thank you for seeking submissions to this Bill’s latest version. As a citizen, I have been waiting 40 years for real action that moves beyond talk. This Bill certainly offers hope for optimism. I see great potential in the Bill and strongly support such points as its goal of keeping global temperature to a maximum 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the creation of a Climate Commission; the five-yearly budgets for carbon emissions, and Maori representation on the Climate Change Commission. I do, however, have some suggestions I hope you will consider adopting to further strengthen the Bill.

"Lowering our carbon footprint within a justice transition framework, will actually lead to increased well-being from more active lifestyles, more connected communities, better health and life expectancy, fewer suicides, alongside cleaner air and rivers."

Pat Baskett considers what it feels like for young people to face turning their lives around to save the planet from environmental collapse