Extinction Rebellion’s Pierre Marasti recently delivered his final climate report to the Otago Regional Council ahead of the October elections.
As we wrap up this political term, it’s time to reflect on what’s transpired. We began these climate reports in November 2022, right when emissions were bouncing back after a brief drop during the pandemic in 2020.
In 2019, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned us that we had just a decade to cut our emissions in half for a better chance of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC. Crossing that threshold could lead to devastating consequences, triggering disasters that might unravel our society and the world as we know it.
To reach this goal, emissions had to drop by 7.6% each year, but instead, they continued to rise. We’ve now spent significant time exceeding average temperatures by 1.5ºC, resulting in relentless extreme weather worldwide—wildfires, floods, and storms.
In New Zealand, this has shown up as Cyclone Gabrielle and severe rainfall in Auckland and Nelson, alongside many smaller events that wear down community resilience. Additionally, climate issues are a major contributor to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. While discussions about local taxes are common, the financial strain from climate impacts is far more severe and will only become worse in the years ahead.
Unfortunately, we’ve missed our chance to avoid harsh impacts of climate change. Many of us are already affected, and our future ability to manage further warming hangs in the balance. Despite this, the fundamental task remains the same: halting fossil fuel use is essential for any progress.
Some strides have been made during this term. For instance, New Zealand is electrifying its public transport, albeit slowly. While funding challenges remain, this transition is a positive step forward.
The Otago Regional Council has also published a climate action plan, but it still lacks concrete actions. It’s disappointing that there’s been little progress in reducing emissions from council operations—electrifying these could lower emissions and costs.
On a brighter note, a new large-scale environmental fund has been introduced alongside the existing eco-fund. This initiative holds promise for future projects.
However, the reality is stark: we are losing the battle against climate change. The effects of violating nature’s laws are already here, and they’ll worsen unless we stop polluting and start healing our environment.
While we can’t undo the past, we can take meaningful action on climate issues today. The focus should not solely be on what happened before but on what we can achieve moving forward.
To those in the upcoming elections, we appreciate your service and encourage you to keep advocating for the environment in your future roles. For those representing themselves, we wish you the best and look forward to collaborating in the next three years.
In 2022, a report found that 70% of individuals believe climate change will impact future generations significantly. This public concern underscores the need for urgent action. Experts agree: without immediate steps to reduce emissions, the planet faces unprecedented challenges.
For more insights on climate action, you can refer to the [Climate Change Commission’s report](https://www.climatecommission.govt.nz).
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