'Top of the South' Consultation Feedback

Friday 17th July was the final public climate change 2020 Emissions Reduction Target consultation event.  The Roadshop wrapped up in Nelson.

Main points

- Around 200 people attended the consultation (the West Coast 350 crew were even there!)

- Those who spoke ranged from soil carbon experts to iwi members and geologists, from community board representatives to high school students, from farmers to urban professionals.

- The hundreds of young New Zealanders who participated over the previous fortnight of consultations around the country were again passionately calling on the Government for a 40% by 2020 Target.

- The night finished with another powerful exercise with the audience (with FULL participation) conducted by a West Coast 350 crew member, which inspired another rousing Haka!

"Before I start… Given everything we've heard tonight, I'd like to get a sense of what people in this room think our emissions reduction target should actually be.
So I'd like to ask everyone here 4 very simple questions:
- Firstly, based on NZ being globally responsible, and being a leader on humanitarian, environmental, and long-term economic grounds, please stand up if you support a reduction target of 10 % or more by 2020.
- Secondly, please keep standing if you support a reduction target of 20 % or more by 2020.
- Third, please keep standing if you support a reduction target of 30 % or more by 2020.
- Fourth, please keep standing if you support a reduction target of 40 % or more by 2020

[a handful of participants sat down at 40%]

and finally please keep standing if you are willing to make 40% or more worth of change in your personal lifestyle to make the 40% reduction target

[no one sat down]

- 99% of the 'Top of the South' in audience support a 40% by 2020 Target, and are committed to making the changes in personal lives and the way they do business to get there!

Where to from here?

The next Nelson 350 event will be apart of the Nelson Ecofest August 15 & 16. Contact Carolyn to be involved in the action and momentum on the way to October 24!