James Hansen’s visit to NZ
James Hansen's letter to John Key
Dr. James Hansen, the scientist behind the number 350 and one of the world's most prominent and influential climate scientists, came to New Zealand in May.
Inspired by New Zealand's youth, especially those from a 350 Aotearoa Youth Leadership Workshop, James Hansen wrote a letter to John Key informing him of the latest science in climate change. Read his letter here. He also sent John Key a report he had written called " Case for Young People and Nature".
His public talks, entitled “Climate Change: a scientific, moral and legal issue” was presented in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Dunedin, Gore and Christchurch over a 10-day period.
Thank you to all those who made the effort to come and see Dr. Hansen talk. The response was overwhelming with nearly every talk overflowing. For those who missed James Hansen speak you can watch a short interview with him that was filmed by participants at the 350 Youth Climate Leadership workshop.
A bit more about Dr James Hansen:
-
He is the scientist behind the number 350 and key member of 350.org -
One of the best-known climate scientists in the world.
-
The first to bring climate change to the world's attention in 1988, with his testimony in Congress.
-
He has broken ranks from the rest of the scientific community and started speaking out about the climate politics.
-
Believes we should give up on trying to get Governments to take action and calls on young people to start taking action.
-
The scientist who has been arrested for taking action against mountain top removal in the US.
During his tour Dr Hansen will meet with a wide section of the community in each centre, including business groups, city councillors, MPs, scientists, farmers, newspaper editors and groups of youth.
Coal will be a big focus of his visit, when he attends a symposium in Wellington on coal and, in Southland, he will visit the site of the proposed lignite developments before he talks with councillors and meets with local farmers.
“Dr Hansen will explain why we cannot get climate change under control, while preserving a decent future for our grandchildren, unless we leave most of the remaining coal in the ground” said Jeanette Fitzsimons, spokesperson for the coalition* bringing Dr Hansen to New Zealand.
“Every week, there is new scientific information showing us how urgent the situation is, yet we hear of even more plans to increase New Zealand’s addiction to fossil fuels. Why, when we have such potential here to switch to a sustainable energy future?”
* Dr Hansen was invited to New Zealand by a group of environmental, social justice and business organisations, academics and committed individuals, as a contribution to the ongoing debate about climate change – and coal. Groups and businesses involved: 350.org, 350 Aotearoa, Greenpeace, Organic Systems NZ, Oxfam, The Pure Advantage (business leaders group), the Institute of Policy Studies - and a number of interested academics and individuals.
