Congratulations Auckland- there were 39 events happening across the region on October 24th.
The slideshow below is just a snippet of some of the actions large and small.
For the TV3 News coverage, see here.
Want to greaten the impact? Visit your local MP and deliver photos from the day: www.350.org/globaldelivery
Not yet signed up for updates? You can do so here: www.350.org.nz/join
Our latest email out ... If you're reading this, you are the promotional plan
Hello to all that this reaches!
Contact Jason Garman – Jason.garman@oxfam.org.nz
All welcome- children, parents, walkers, dancers, singers, musicians and performers
Auckland Activator | auckland@350.org.nz
What are you doing on October 24th for the Global Day of Action on Climate Change? Join thousands around the world coming together. Register your action or to find out more: www.350.org
350 is the most important number on the Planet. It is the safe line for a global climate and a start line for a global movement. To see a 90 second video: www.350.org/animation
Where will the first images come from on October 24th? Here.
Help New Zealand light the fuse
An update from Auckland
About 350 people braved wet, wild conditions yesterday to join one of the build-up events leading up to the International Day of Climate Action later this month.
The crowd, from 9 months to 90 years old, including Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and MP Lynne Pillay, gathered at Bethells Beach Te Henga to form the number 350.
The event was organised by citizens in the Waitakere community in partnership with the Auckland Quaker community who had heard about 350 and wanted to create an event for the community to come together and demonstrate their stand for a safe and just climate future – to get us back to 350ppm.
[Photo credit: Mark Smith]
We had people from all over Auckland brave the Wild West Coast, including organisers of October 24th events. One of the attendees, Elaine, embodied the question '350: How are you getting there?' by cycling from Blockhouse Bay.
Rewi Spraggon of the local iwi Te Kawerau a Maki grounded us in the local place and welcomed the Mayor.
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey acknowledged the Bethells community and those in attendance for their commitment. He said he recently returned from a climate change conference in Melbourne where the news was quite sobering – the future is not looking flash unless we do something to change our trajectory and turn things around. "This is a part of that, you've come because you care, you've come because we care," he said.
Mary (Bobbie) Woodward, co-organiser, member of the Bethells family, 80 years young and a campaigner for social justice all her life, and Carl Chenery of 350 and EcoMatters Environment Trust also spoke.
The Bethells Beach cafe was serving fine coffee and food. Trilby and Ahmed Asgher played some sweet music, including a rendition of Bob Dylan's 'The Times They Are A-Changin' ' – all before the citizens made their way out onto Te Henga beach to be photographed from the cliffs above. Click here for more photos.
The Prime Minister's plane even flew over as we were out (most likely him coming back from visiting Samoa).
We got 350 people and had a great time. A BIG thank you to all those involved in making the event happen. Bobbie acknowledged afterward: "My faith in human nature got a real boost and I am so very grateful for everybody's support. A truely unforgettable experience!"
The event served as a great build up for the International Day of Climate Action. People are being encouraged to find an action locally. If you're not already registered, join thousands around the world coming together and sign up to join an event near you on October 24th, or a schools or kura action on October 23rd. Don't see one? It's not too late to start organising one in your community, company, school or organisation. The 9-step organising plan (or schools' kit) can help you get started!
Te Henga | Bethells Beach event this Sunday 11am!
Take one day out of your life and use it to stand for a safe and just climate future. Come to Bethells Beach at 11.00am on Sunday 4 October to add your voice to the many thousands around the world who are taking part in events leading up to 24 October ― the International Day of Climate Change Action.
We are calling for at least 350 people to form the number 350 on the black sand of Bethells Beach (Te Henga). We’d like you and your friends to take part.
If you are able to join us, please note the following points.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
* Wear (or bring with you) a white shirt/Tshirt (so in the photograph we show up against the black sand).
* Pack a picnic. The cafe is open in fine weather but will be crowded.
* Dogs ― leave at home please, as cars are being parked on private land
GETTING THERE
* The Bethells/Te Henga turnoff is at the Swanson end of the Scenic Drive, if you are coming from Auckland. Plan to arrive at 11am.
* In the spirit of reducing your carbon footprint, please share transport where possible.
PARKING
* Once you arrive at Bethells, follow the 350 CAR PARKING signs. Park your car then follow the arrows to the meeting place at the cafe area/entrance to the beach.
THE EVENT
* At 11.30 am, after some preliminary speeches and music, we will walk to the beach (10 mins) where you will be guided into position for the photograph.
The whole event should be finished early afternoon.
Afterwards you may like to take time out on beautiful Bethells Beach.
This event will be held rain or shine.
The Bethells Beach event has been initiated by Auckland Quakers with support from the Bethells Valley community as a build-up and promotional event. It is one of many being held in New Zealand and countries around the world; other events are coinciding with the International Day of Action on 24 October.
Next Auckland 350 Meeting – Thursday 24th September 5:15–6:30pm
What can we do this year on a scale to add up to anything significant for our climate?
How can we catalyse the Auckland region alive on a 350 journey? Our citizens, communities, media, schools, businesses, marae, government?
One of the things we can do this year, six weeks before the world meets in Copenhagen to stand together and agree on emissions reductions, financing etc, is join up with the 1,500 events already happening for October 24th.
You are invited to attend Auckland's next 350 event to share the actions we are collectively planning, have a space to consider your own role/ingredient and to connect with others.
Doors will open at 5pm. After we finish at 6:30pm, you are welcome to walk up to the University to hear Rod Oram speak "From Kyoto to Copenhagen - the road to a new Climate Pact" starting from 7pm.
When? Thursday 24 September, 5.15pm–6:30pm, arrivals from 5pm.
Where? Conference Room, Pioneer Women's Hall, Cnr High St & Chancery St (Midtown CBD).
Show me: Google Map
Public transport information: MAXX website
RSVP by email auckland@350.org.nz or cell 021 470 642.
Please Note: New Venue
It is one month until October 24th!
If you are new to 350, climate action, and wondering what your ingredient is or the role you can play, have a watch of the 350 animations or check Bill McKibben's talk in Dunedin speaking about the science and the 350 movement.
Next Auckland 350 Meeting – Monday 24th August 5:30–7:30pm
What can we do this year on a scale to add up to anything significant for our climate?
How can we catalyse the Auckland region alive on a 350 journey? Our citizens, communities, media, schools, businesses, marae, government?
One of the things we can do this year, six weeks before the world meets in Copenhagen to stand together and agree on emissions reductions, financing etc, is join up with the 1,500 events already happening for October 24th.
You are invited to attend Auckland's next 350 event to share the actions we are collectively planning, have a space to consider your own role/ingredient and to connect with others.
Members of the 350 Aotearoa National Team are in town!
Aaron Packard- co-founder of 350 Aotearoa will also share some stories of his time in the Pacific and local actions and stories from around Aotearoa from their current roadtrip.
When? Monday 24 August, 5.30pm–7:30pm, arrivals from 5:15pm.
Where? GUEDO Office, Level 6, 45 Queen Street (Close to Britomart) : Google Map
Public transport information: MAXX website
RSVP on Facebook or by email auckland@350.org.nz
Quote for the day:
"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power."- Alan Cohen
If you are new to 350, climate action, and wondering what your ingredient is or the role you can play, have a watch of the 350 animations or check Bill McKibben's talk in Dunedin speaking about the science and the 350 movement.
Next Auckland 350 Meeting – Wednesday 29th July 5:30–7pm
What can we do this year on a scale to add up to anything significant for our climate?
How can we catalyse the Auckland region alive on a 350 journey? Our citizens, communities, media, schools, businesses, marae, government?
One of the things we can do this year, six weeks before the world meets in Copenhagen to stand together and agree on emissions reductions, financing etc, is join up with the 1,100 events already happening for October 24th.
You are invited to attend Auckland's next 350 meeting to share the actions we are collectively planning, have a space to consider your own role/ingredient and connect with others.
When? Wednesday 29 July, 5.30pm–7pm, arrivals from 5:15pm.
Where? GUEDO Office, Level 6, 45 Queen Street (Close to Britomart) : Google Map
Public transport information: MAXX website
RSVP on Facebook or by email auckland@350.org.nz
Quote for the day:
"The word responsibility speaks to the ability to respond. Some people don't know that there is even the possibility of taking responsibility, that is why you are so important. Anybody who realises it – you are the beginning of the transformed world."—Anon
If you are new to 350, climate action, and wondering what your ingredient is or the role you can play, have a watch of the 350 animations or check Bill McKibben's talk in Dunedin outlining the movement.
350 Auckland Activated!
We had a great meeting on Thursday 9 July for Auckland's 350 Activation, hosted at the Government & Urban Economic Development Office. There was lots of energy in the room with 40 people of various backgrounds and interests. There were some who had heard Bill McKibben speak in April, some who heard Carl speak at the 2020 Emissions Reduction Target Consultation and others who heard of us through other networks: Intersect, Transition Towns or the Sustainable Business Network. We began to explore our contribution to a 350 future, and how the October 24 day of action can be a chance to showcase our commitment and stand together.
The meeting process
How we roll with 350 is like how life actually works - we understand that we each play a role, we each have a unique ingredient to bring and through our connections we can learn and grow. When we translate between and build on each other's work we can see that we are all contributing to a 350 future and a sustaining and just future for all.
To begin, we checked in with someone we didn't know: What is the commitment that brought me into the room?
Moving back in a larger group, there was a brief introduction that included a quick background of 350, and the fact that Aotearoa would be the first place images would come from on October 24. People were then invited to step forward with what they would like to host a conversation about. People stepped forward, took a pen and paper, and held conversations about build-up events, events for the day (tied in with current or desired initiatives), skills to offer, or ideas to put forward that someone else may want to pick up.
At the end we had a report back, with some ideas being moved forward, and some ideas needing people.
Some ideas/initiatives that are moving ahead, that have some current 'holders'
- 350-minute film marathon
- 350 Frocks on Bikes and cycle event – connecting and linking up some of the other initiatives
- 350 cycling build-up event before October 24 – to help people out with their bikes, and warm them up
- Actions, music and fun on top of Auckland's maunga (starting with Takurunga | Mt Victoria, Maungawhau | Mt Eden, Owairaka | Mt Albert)
- High-tide markers in Auckland City for future sea-level rises.
- Massey High School – plantings, 350 badges for students willing to make pledges and marking out 350 on their field.
- Some action for an alternative future for Huntly.
Ideas generated and inspiration (without hosts and/or team)
- A 350 performance music festival?
- Collecting 350 kilograms of food waste for compost?
- Something at Victoria Park Quarter?
- 350 yachts in the harbour?
- Quantification of carbon reductions based on actions?
- Some practical ideas that can sustain well into the future:
- 350 home retrofits?
- 350 solar panel installations?
- 350 green jobs?
- 350 community gardens?
- urban food production?
- Something related to Auckland's transport
- Getting a 350 spokesperson on Breakfast TV
- Getting the 350 animations on national television
- Being able to film this movement in process – take some films of the meetings, actions as they develop (any local film makers? film students?)
Reflections
One of the things that became apparent was how naming these ideas can inspire other ideas, and how the development of them could support other groups in parts of Aotearoa or the planet. For those involved in creating actions, please keep us updated as things develop so we can share the ideas and the inspiration with others.
What next?
Want to be at the next meeting? Know of others who have an ingredient to contribute? Know people involved similar initiatives or areas who could provide elements for the above ideas?
Feel free to forward onto colleagues, friends and whanau.
Get involved. What is your ingredient?
This Auckland page will be a place to post newsletters/updates from the Auckland region.
How would you like this Auckland space to be used?
Be in communication!
Feel free to be in touch if you have ideas you want to work on or skills to share. And/or you can register your action online and be in touch.
There are resources to support community groups and schools available for download.
It was a real privilege to host this meeting. Note: Conversations and collaborations on various actions that are moving forward are happening on Intersect in real time.
Next Meeting
When? Wednesday 29 July, 5.30pm–7pm, arrivals from 5:15pm.
Where? GUEDO Office, Level 6, 45 Queen Street (Close to Britomart) : Google Map
Public transport information: MAXX website
Auckland 350 Activation on Thursday!
We've got interest arising from several groups including Frocks on Bikes and People on Mountain Tops, and schools are keen to get on board. So this is a shout out to interested Aucklanders – let's get together this Thursday to share our ideas and see what our region can create.
What? Auckland 350 Activation
When? Thursday 9 July, 5.30pm–7pm
Where? GUEDO Office, Level 6, 45 Queen Street : Google Map
Public Transport Information: MAXX website
Please RSVP us and drop us a line detailing the group or organisation you are part of, or any specific ideas you'd like to discuss.
If you are unable to make it but still keen to put an event together, or have a request for people or collaborations based on locality, or event type, then drop Carl a line.
Now get the word out there ... and see you Thursday!
txt JOIN350 to 022 607 0672
