Mokopuna Thinking
The Greens launch their Alternate Emissions Reduction Plan.
Because the sky is blue
It makes me cry
Songwriters: Paul McCartney / John Lennon.
This morning, I went along to the launch of the Greens’ alternative plan for emissions reduction. Contrasting the coalition’s approach of burying their head in the sand and glowering “thou shalt not” at others who try to stop the tide from rising ever further.
It felt like a long time since I wrote about Climate Change, which is weird because I used to write about it quite a bit before the election, and it hasn’t gone anywhere.
It’s still getting worse, and it will make our planet—the only home we have in this universe—less habitable for our species. We’re just choosing to ignore it because there are so many other things to be distracted by.
If you were cynically inclined, you might suggest this was a deliberate state of affairs. It’s as if the coalition government has given us all this other awful stuff to complain about, causing us to ignore what is rapidly transitioning from a terrifying risk to a disastrous reality.
Perhaps that post-election coalition negotiation was a little different than we think…
Based on what we’ve observed as the coalition’s priorities, it appears that Christopher Luxon’s approach to negotiating was to drop his trousers and tell the minor party leaders to help themselves. All while Chris Bishop shouted into a loud hailer that the leader was willing to bend into any position to accommodate their needs.
But maybe it went more like this…
Luxon: “Right, Dave. I appreciate you saying your anti-treaty bill is not a bottom line, but we want to go with it. While everyone gets distracted and marches up and down the country shouting about that, Jones, Bishop, and Brown will give the energy companies the green light, and the donations will keep rolling in. What do you say?”
Seymour: “What’s in it for me?”
Luxon: “About a five per cent uplift in the polls, I reckon. There are a hell of a lot of racists out there who’ve been seething that they’re not allowed to share those views any more, and they’ll be delighted to be able to ring ZB once again and complain about Māori privilege and underperformance, probably simultaneously.”
Seymour: “Ok, I’ll do it. But won’t people notice the weather getting worse?…”
Luxon: “People like warmer weather.”
Concerned about Auckland traffic and limited parking nearby, I got there early. As it happens, the car park was mostly empty, except for a young woman doing her dishes outside of a camper van. I assumed she had been staying there overnight and she seemed bemused at seeing more and more people arrive while she washed up.
The location seemed apt, over the ocean in what had once been a scout hall, but is now a lovely, refurbished space for such events. We waited for the doors to open, and I chatted with Judith, who introduced herself as a Nick’s Kōrero reader.
As you might expect from the Greens, they weren’t exactly on time. I guess when you’re trying to save the world, there are more important things than punctuality.
Judith and I sat just behind MPs Ricardo Menéndez March, Hūhana Lyndon, and Teanau Tuiono in the second row. A good-sized crowd came in; Simon Wilson from the Herald walked by, looking quite pleased to be there.
Teanau got up as MC and talked us through the rundown of events. He mentioned it being the 25th anniversary of the party having entered parliament just yesterday, so we turned to each other and wished each other a happy birthday as green members. And that was it in terms of rituals, in case you’re wondering.
He gave a karakia and spoke of past leaders Rod Donald and Jeanette Fitzsimons, of how we were there following in their footsteps. Then he announced Chlöe’s arrival, and she strode to the microphone.
The co-leader began by talking about the fact that all of the systems we operate within, which might appear to constrain our ability to make change, are made by people and can be changed by people, too.
She spoke of the regular fires we see in Canterbury and floods in Tamaki Makaurau, saying that we are changing nature through our behaviour and asking which of us agreed to that.
Chlöe is an outstanding speaker. She went from walking in to, within minutes, speaking passionately and emotionally about the way some people have turned others off of politics. That greed is not normal, it is not human nature, and her frustration at what people have done and continue doing selfishly was visceral.
You have more in common with people in other places, regions, and towns than with the politicians who divide you, she told us and spoke of people's perception of politics. It’s not speeches or politicians in parliament, she told us. It is about power and resources, and we are many - despite some believing they are sidelined.
Chlöe said that activism shows we are not alone, which really struck home with me.
The number one thing readers tell me when I meet them at events like this is that they felt like they were alone, like no one else cared, and that is why they read my newsletter.
They are not alone—not by a bloody long shot, although it suits the interests of those who wish to retain the status quo for people to think like that. However, as Chlöe said, there are many who refuse to accept that someone else’s suffering is an inconvenience to be ignored.
Politics and power belong to those who turn up, she said, and that “it is beyond time that we turn up and keep turning up, whānau. We’re just warming up.”
From a few yards away, Chlöe seems quite small, although she seemed somehow bigger than when I last saw her speak, when she was alongside Marama.
You don’t need me to tell you she is smart, well-informed, and a commanding speaker. Many have spoken of her as a very special leader, like Jacinda.
Don’t underestimate that; she really is and like Ardern, and you can’t just go and find another one of those. Gen X gave us Jacinda, the next gave us Chlöe, and who knows, perhaps Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke will be next.
I won’t talk much about the details of the policy, which will no doubt be reproduced elsewhere. If you’re really keen the full 56 page document is here.
It was what you would expect if you were coming up with policies to actually do something, in a positive way, without worrying too much that some other people, who may or may not be profiting from the status quo, might tell you that was impossible.
Gross emissions reduction. Actually, capping pollution.
A Green jobs guarantee so those who want to help build this country in a sustainable way can.
A Ministry of Green Works.
Light rail and high-speed trains between Auckland and Wellington. “We love trains, and we deserve them.”
She also said it was time to discuss the sacred cow in the room: farmers. We need a more durable, diversified farming sector. Climate change threatens farmers' way of life more than anyone else. The Greens will phase out nitrogen-based fertiliser and support farmers in transitioning to a more sustainable future.
They will also reinstate the oil and gas ban to prevent new extraction and warn fossil fuel companies, telling them, “Don’t come.”
We clapped in response to the fact that co-leader Marama Davidson was watching. You could feel the warmth in the room directed at her. This thinking of the future and the next generations - Chlöe told us that Marama calls it Mokopuna thinking. I like that - Mokopuna thinking.
Just like that, she was gone. Teanau ended proceedings with a karakia and encouraged folks to hang around for a cuppa and a kōrero with an MP if we wanted to.
I walked to the back of the hall to admire the fabulous view back towards Westmere. It was the perfect location to enjoy the beauty of our little part of the world and consider its threats.
A voice beside me asked if I’d enjoyed my Christmas party. I was momentarily mystified—was I looking a bit rough, like it had been a hard night? He commiserated that the dogs hadn’t worn their party hats, and I realised it was another reader, Stephen. Commenting regarding yesterday’s newsletter.
It is always lovely to meet people like that, and it confirms that I’m not alone, either.
Please note that I am not suggesting that you vote for the Green Party; I am explaining why I do. The party is home to me, and the things they stand for are what I believe in—we should all feel that way about the party we support.
Have a good day, all you lovely people. Don’t feel helpless; this is all a choice. We can continue to create the circumstances that allow a small number of people to get obscenely wealthy while screwing over ourselves and future generations by ignoring scientific reality - or not. It is all a choice.
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Today, it’s 44 years since John Lennon was murdered. If he was around today I reckon he’d have a thing or two to say about those sacrificing our future for their own greed.
Really interesting post, Nick. I'm quite torn, because I've always been a born and bred Labour voter, but I want to vote Greens too. I also see Chloe as a superb leader and hope that will happen. Very depressing thinking about lack of action on climate change, but inspiring to see the Greens' new policy.
Have been a Labour voter since forever yet I am so convinced that should the Greens, Labour and TPM sit down and adopt all of the best parts of each others policies Aotearoa and its people would thrive. You only need to compare the intelligence, the passion and the mana of the MPs in these parties compared to the right wing dross to appreciate we are being so short changed currently. Making Tik Toks does not make things better for the country nor does promoting racial division. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that we are only one year in with two more of this damaging COC to endure.