Rotorua Workshop Report
We had 16 attend our all-day workshop at the Rotorua Arts Centre on 10 Feb – a good number for discussion, and a range of ages from the 20s to 81. Jeanette presented with help from Pat , and with invaluable local organising help from Jenny Lux.
We covered ways of having a conversation about climate change: identifying shared values, understanding the other person’s point of view, making it relevant to them and motivating with hope rather than fear and guilt and too many facts. One theme that kept coming up was the balancing of pessimism and optimism, dealing with feelings of helplessness and building a supportive group. We practised this with role plays. Comments like “The Declaration made me feel excited” were very encouraging.
We also covered where emissions come from, which matter most, simple things that communities can do to reduce them, and whether to measure tonnes of carbon or adopt targets like travelling fewer km or producing less waste. (We recommend the latter.)
People identified communities in Rotorua that they were part of, but the idea of trying to stimulate a climate action plan in their school, workplace, union, or street is still a step too far for many people. They commented they want to take more personal action and get their own household in order before they tackle a wider community. We learned that if that is where people are, that is where we need to be too. We are confident it will grow from there.
We are looking forward to the next one in Tauranga on 24 March.
Featured News
See all news >
IS DEGROWTH THE PATH TO DECARBONIZING THE ECONOMY? | Webinar Recording
12 December 2024
Date: Wednesday 11th December, 2024 Time: 7 to 8:30 PM
Read more >

Offshore Mitigation: shifting from buying and exploiting to exchanging and benefitting | Webinar Recording
21 November 2024
OCD Webinar 7pm Wednesday 20th November Catherine Leining joined us at 7pm on Wednesday 20th...
Read more >
Newsletter November 2024
08 November 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa, kia ora ngā hoa mā, As 2024 closes we in the Team are harbouring our ener...
Read more >

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE: CLIMATE ADAPTATION, EARTHQUAKES, BASIC NEEDS – THEY’RE ALL CONNECTED – BUT WE’RE NOT | Webinar Recording
17 October 2024
Presented by Jack Santa Barbara This webinar discussed the uncertain future we face with mul...
Read more >

Raising Climate Ambition in NZ: Barriers and where to have the most impact | Webinar Recording
19 September 2024
This webinar was presented by Dr. Paul Winton. He covered four topics: An update on where N...
Read more >

Confronting Growthism and Pronatalism for Social and Ecological Justice | Webinar Recording
15 August 2024
Presented by Nandita Bajaj Date: 14 August, 2024 Time: 7 to 8:30 PM
Read more >

Where To From Here? Perspectives From A Climate Fiction Writer and Climate Activist | Webinar Recording
17 July 2024
Tim Jones is a climate fiction writer and climate activist. As a writer, his latest book is ...
Read more >
Newsletter July 2024
08 July 2024
Welcome to our newsletter for July 2024. We begin this newsletter with a gentle reminder tha...
Read more >

Climate change: simultaneous views from above and below | Webinar Recording
14 June 2024
We were pleased to host this webinar, presented by: Sir Peter Gluckman ONZ KNZM FRS Presiden...
Read more >