Sadness and worry to enhance a picture please click itThis week I'm sad. As I research, think and write in preparation for releasing a post on Friday, I am sad as I think of all the thousands being killed all over the world. Human tragedy. This week I'm worried. Here in New Zealand as we come near to leaving severe lockdown, I'm worried about what post lockdown will look like. I don't worry that we won't go back to how we were. I worry that we will! Advice for governmentI listened to a radio interview with Dr Rod Carr, the chairperson of the recently established Climate Change Commission. 'Its purpose is to provide expert advice to the New Zealand government on climate policy.' Although it's a toothless, advisory, monitoring body, I was interested in what Carr said about government policies to follow the presumed coronavirus defeat. Although he was very clear that the real urgency lay in getting the economy moving again to provide work and income for citizens, he said this must be done through 'the lens of climate change. ' I read somewhere that Dr Carr took his climate change job because his four children urged him to do so. "Do it for us they," said. I like that. Greta Thunberg would be pleased! Shovel ready projects
The Greenpeace view
Certainly Greenpeace does some crazy stunts to drive home environmental points but I think that in order to push 'sensible' 'middle' political groups and parties to new more effective stances and actions, we need groups on the radical edges. Gradually, movement has certainly happened in green issues. SensibleWhat Greenpeace advocates is often very sensible. On 'shovel ready projects' for instance it echoes Carr but goes further and more firmly. Here's the relevant extract from the petition:
Long termHere's another extract from the petition. Priority investments for the long-term wellbeing of Aotearoa
Wait hope seeOver the last few weeks I've heard many comments about how we need to come out of the pandemic with policies that are coming through Dr Carr's 'climate change lens.' We are preparing for tomorrow. I don't want to see 'same old, same old'. We need policies that lead long term to greater sustainability in all fields. I hope we really do see those. I worry that we won't. Although I've focussed on New Zealand today, I think overseas readers will see similar needs and possibilities where they live. Did I sign the petition? I did. I hope you will also consider doing so. Here is a link. Just click it. I wish you well in whatever lockdown restrictions you are enduring. □ John McInnes Friday 17 April 2020 ##########
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