Students focus of climate message

A lot of people go to work to eat their lunch.

But lately, Prof Abby Smith has been going to work to skip lunch and use the time to protest.

The University of Otago marine and climate scientist is worried about how climate policy is not getting the profile it deserves in the buildup to this election.

"As a climate scientist, I’m really concerned about the climate and making sure that the people with policies around climate get into government."

Also, as a lecturer with more than 30 years of experience, she is worried students are not recognising the power of their vote.

So for the past week, she has donned her hi-vis jacket and hard hat, along with a hand-painted sign, and taken her message straight to the people.

Her "protest of one" has been taking place each lunchtime on the Union St Bridge, in the middle of the university campus, and will continue through next week in the lead-up to election day.

"I’m making sure that students, in particular, but everyone who walks by is taking climate into consideration while casting their vote."

She said her action had generated some good interest and conversations, which she hoped would transfer into votes.

"There’s a limit to what one person can do," she said.

"They didn’t elect me queen of the world, so I can’t fix it, but this is something I can do."

john.lewis@odt.co.nz