Dissatisfaction with the new coalition government’s lack of focus on climate change, prompted hundreds of people to take to the streets around Otago and Southland yesterday.
More than 100 people joined a Climate Strike march in Dunedin, from the Museum Reserve to the Octagon, while another hundred gathered at Lismore Park before marching through Wānaka, and a small group marched in Invercargill from Queens Park to the Invercargill City Council buildings in Esk St.
Dunedin Climate Strike march co-ordinator and Logan Park High School year 13 pupil Isabella Crowe said the marches were part of a nationwide protest which called for the ban on offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration to remain in place, and for the country to transition away from using the products of greenhouse-emitting industries.
"They need to prioritise people over profit.
Those marching also called for Maori rights and the Treaty of Waitangi to be upheld; and for Palestine to be freed.
"We want our government to grant emergency visas to Palestinians with family in New Zealand, provide urgent humanitarian assistance to Palestinians and demand an end to the USA-backed Israeli illegal occupation."
"The more the merrier. Having more adults gives this protest more credibility."
More than 100 people march from Dunedin’s Museum Reserve toward the Octagon yesterday, as part of a Climate Strike march. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Columba College pupil Caroline Taylor-Connell, 9. "I’m taking part because we only have one planet and we need to protect it because it gives us such beautiful things like life. I don’t want to grow up in a smoky, polluted world. That would be a bad place to live." PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
They also called for the government to "slow down" on the Fast Track Bill.
University of Otago climatology student Matt Green. "I’m here because of the state of the climate right now. It’s well past the point where we should be reducing emissions and we can all see the government’s not really interested in doing that in a meaningful way, and if we want a future for the next generation — our kids — then we have to take meaningful action." PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
"The Fast Track Bill gives three ministers unprecedented power to approve projects that include mining on conservation land, drilling for oil and gas, seabed mining, intensive dairy farms and other unsustainable practices that are harmful for ourselves and the environment.
"That’s not democracy. That’s abuse."She said the march was not just about the climate crisis.
Climate Strike march co-ordinator and Logan Park High School year 13 pupil Isabella Crowe, 17. "My sign shows Prime Minister Christopher Luxon being high. It says, ‘Luxon, what are you smoking’? Because he’s reversing the ban on cigarettes." PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
"Because bombing a small area of land is obviously going to be bad for the environment and humanity as a whole.
Mount Aspiring College pupils lead a crowd on a Climate Strike march through Wānaka. PHOTO: REGAN HARRIS
She was impressed with the turnout, despite the majority of participants being adults rather than school pupils.
About a dozen climate protesters take part in a Climate Strike march outside the gates at Queens Park, in Invercargill yesterday. PHOTO: TONI MCDONALD
