I was proud to be part of the climate change protest organized by school children today at the Bridge of Remembrance and marched to the Christchurch City Council building.
This rally was organized by pupils of schools and hundreds turned out to make their feelings heard around Aotearoa-New Zealand.
New Brighton was well represented as climate change is having an impact on our coastal areas. The protest declared not enough is being done to prepare for the challenges ahead and even more concerning is New Zealand is now in danger of going backwards.
Whatever side of the political fence people sit, “climate change won’t discriminate”, was the messaage.
The other concern raised was the prospect of the government removing the barriers to off-shore drilling and with its fast track legislation leaving the decisions to three ministers, this will have alarming consequences on a number of levels.
New Brighton has faced this issue previously and there were protests against the proposal and it sunk without trace.
There will be opportunities for people to have their say in the Long-Term Plan via public submissions around the climate change issue and how the Council can up its game.