A special hui on local climate action, featuring a world-recognised New Zealand climate change scientist, will be held in Masterton later this month.
“The Time is Now – a Climate Change Plan for Wairarapa” will be held at the Copthorne Hotel on November 20 – featuring a keynote address from Dr James Renwick, Professor of Atmospheric Physics at Victoria University in Wellington.
Dr Renwick has also been a contributor to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change since 2000 and is one of New Zealand’s Climate Change Commissioners, appointed following the passing of the Climate Change Response [Zero Carbon] Amendment Act.
Hui organiser Chris Peterson, of Sustainable Wairarapa, said it was “an important time” to hold this event.
“Climate change is finally starting to get the traction and attention from all quarters that has been so desperately lacking.
“For example, the crucially important COP27 began on November 6 in Egypt and runs for six weeks. Submissions on the government’s response to the He Waka Eke Noa proposal for pricing agricultural GHG emissions close on the 20th.
“Climate change is happening somewhere in the world every day now, often with tragic results. There’s no time to waste – it’s time for concerted action.”
The final agenda for the Masterton hui is still being finalised but the intention is to focus on local action.
“Climate change has serious implications for Wairarapa – and we hope to see the formation of a forum of concerned citizens working towards a range of positive and constructive community-wide responses,” Peterson said.
There will be no charge to attend the hui, although a koha will be appreciated. More information is to follow.
