It’s that time of the year again – ground hog day – another global leader meeting to tackle climate change. Or to talk about tackling climate change.
I loved the idea of the national coming together and unite in the fight – but that eased off a few years ago.
To me it seems more adequate to start implementing meaningful change on a countrywide level instead of attending yet another climate conference with meaningless outcomes. The sadness of the situation is right there: “the 26th annual climate negotiations”. What happened in those 26 years? Global emissions and NZ emissions are still on the rise.
I grew up in Germany with lots of info around global warming that then was reworded into climate change. Other than the title, nothing much has changed since. I am now some 15 years from retirement and I am having the same conversations like I had 30 years ago. I am still having the same conversations with clients about building design, insulation, airtightness and energy use that I had almost 20 years ago.
I almost got excited when local councils and the newly elected government declared a climate emergency and vouched for action.
I did, however, write an article about the apparent lack of traction shortly thereafter (mid 2018) and going back to it, nothing much has changed either.
Am I the only one that is irritated by talking without walking the talk? Apparently not.
According to Reuters, Queen Elizabeth II was recorded saying “It’s really irritating when they talk, but they don’t do,” in a conversation picked up by a microphone.
Queen Elizabeth II"It's really irritating when they talk, but they don't do,"
I am all for ignoring the world and starting meaningful change right here in New Zealand. Right here, right now.
Ignore what’s happening elsewhere, what others are committing to. Do whatever you can – at home or work, in your job, in your projects.
It’s up to you, not anyone else.
