Hi,  here's a brief description of the events in Canterbury on 24 October, plus a few photos.   

If like me you have been going to the www.350.org website, looking in the Flikr photostream under the Australia & NZ category and wondering where our photos are - I found most of them in the category
"Featured Hi Res Photos for media".  

A quick way of finding all the local photos is to type in "New Zealand Christchurch" (or Geraldine or other locality) in the Search box at the top of the screen.  This brings up all the photos from Christchurch in the whole Flikr site.    Alternatively you can cut and paste this website address into the address line, which should take you to the same place -
http://www.flickr.com/search/?ss=2&w=25654955@N03&q=new+zealand+christchurch&m=text
 

NB  on Thursday 5 November at 5.30pm we're having a get together at the Dux de Lux, Montreal St - come along for a social meal, debrief and plotting what next... all welcome, be great to see you!

Thousands of people from all walks of life came together with one united voice on Saturday, as 350-themed events across Canterbury recognised the 350 International Day of Climate Action*.  The weather was stunningly warm and sunny all day, as if  the climate was appreciating our concern!

It started in the sea at 9am when Christchurch’s surfing community paddled out beside New Brighton pier with a 350 banner.

 Meanwhile at the far end of Southshore a record crowd turned out to help Southshore Residents Association replant the burnt section of the spit, putting in over 2,500 plants.  

Later in the morning the sound of African drumming (with a delicate overlay of ukeleles) drew hundreds of people to the grassy area at the foot of the steps to the pier to hear MPs Lianne Dalziel, and Ruth Dyson and also Claire Waghorn standing in for Kennedy Graham, as well as city and regional councillors Chrissie Williams, Sir Kerry Burke, Rik Tindall and Jane Demeter talking about the importance of climate action.  Then the drummers led the crowd up the steps to stand behind the pier to stand behind the big 350 Christchurch banner strung along the pier railings and give our message to the world - "There is no Planet B!  Climate Action Now".

The tide obligingly moved out, allowing the Sand Dancer Peter Donnelly to carve a sand sculpture repeating the banner’s message.  Peter’s work was among the first images on the international website as pictures streamed in from around the world to the video-screen in Times Square.

Elsewhere in Canterbury Little River locals were offering 350 trees for free, as part of a biodiversity workshop at the local market.

 

In Geraldine cyclists rode round town as the church bells rang 350 times, while in Timaru people gathered for a Spring Celebration picnic at West End Park.

Schools had been active in the preceding week.    Rangi Ruru Girls High was first off the block, making a big human '350' shape in the gym that got some good publicity for the coming weekend events.

At Cherry's Early Learning Centre in Beckenham the families and whanau enjoyed a decorated bike day, face painting and a shared morning tea (including a big banana cake the children baked!) to help spread the word on climate change.

Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti school took action on Friday lunchtime, with 350 banners hanging down the school's high-rise building in the City Mall, face painting, a 350 jelly baby shape, handouts, music and a LIMBO.  With the school being so central, the public got involved.

 
Lyttelton West Primary School did a grime scene investogation and seashore cleanup of local bays, and in Siouth Canterbury wee Morven school led the local community in a replanting of the local cemetery.

On Saturday afternoon several thousand people filled Victoria Square for the Climate Action Festival, a mellow bike-focussed occasion coordinated by Frocks on Bikes.  Kaila Colbin, young local entrepreneur and Al Gore Climate Ambassador was the MC who ably held the afternoon together.   A Big Red bus was there with a bike rack for people to try out – one of 2 buses fitted with these racks.   Local bike retailers were there to show off their modern and retro styles. 
 
 
 Frocks on Bikes launched their Christchurch chapter with a colourful promenade around Victoria Square of bikes and riders of all types, sizes and ages, followed by a cycle fashion parade that attracted very stylish riders.
 
 Around 100 festival goers joined jazz singer Naomi Ferguson in a song written and conducted by Nikki Berry for the occasion.

Meanwhile not far away 60 people gathered in Cathedral Square outside the Cathedral for a silent vigil that brought together Christians of all types, Buddhists, qi gong practitioners and more as the Cathedral bells rang 350 times.

Entertainment included singer Lizzie Cook and the Nor'West Arch Morris dancers, African drumming and an Earthball as well as a stream of spot prizes for 10:10 pledges and for a great number of categories in the bike parade.

 

Just after 3.50pm hundreds of people filled the amphitheatre in Victoria Square to form the big ‘3’, complementing New Delhi’s ‘5’ and Copenhagen’s ‘0’ on the giant video-screen.   Cell phones came into their own as Rik Tindall on the ground communicated with photographers Rhys Taylor, Shane Orchard and Phil at the top of the Crown Plaza Hotel to get everyone in exactly the right place.

 

Many took home a free vege seedling from gardener Jo Drysdale's display of 350 home-grown and potted “carbon munchers”.

 

Many wrote and pinned up their pledge to reduce their carbon footprint by 10% in 2010, taking advantage of the electronic carbon footprint calculator that Port Hills Greens brought to the Square.

Local MPs and councillors who spoke to their 10:10 pledges included Lianne Dalziel, Ruth Dyson, Brendon Burns, Kennedy Graham, Chrissie Williams, Rik Tindall, Jane Demeter, Yani Johansen, with messages from Eugenie Sage, Norm Withers and  Claudia Reid.  Claire Waghorn, local Young Green and law student who is part of the youth delegation to Copenhagen, spoke for Kennedy.  The day was fittingly rounded off by climate scientist Jim Salinger.

 

There are heaps more photos of these events and some stunning ones from elsewhere in NZ and around the world - 21,000 so far in total and still coming in.  Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/350org/sets/.  Double clickl on a photo to get more info about the event.

Cheers
Torfrida
021-107-3937
382-0580
torfrida@snap.net.nz