Review: Kiwis in Climate, edited by Tessa Vincent

While most climate change books concentrate on doom-and-gloom facts and figures, leaving readers hiding their heads under the duvet hoping the monster goes away, Kiwis in Climate is full of hope for our future. Edited by Tessa Vincent, this collection of essays by over thirty contributors give examples of what innovative New Zealanders are doing now, today, in every sector, from communities to businesses and service providers to councils. 

It covers how we can reduce our carbon footprint by following the path resourceful Kiwis have already made. The main message is that you do not have to blaze a trail by yourself to solve the world’s problems. Some people naturally take the lead, and that is okay because we are on the same journey.

Everyone, from secondary school up, who has an interest in reducing their individual, business or community’s carbon footprint should read Kiwis in Climate; however, there is so much information presented that reading it in one go could be overwhelming. Readers should read the chapter which appeals most first, take time to digest the ideas presented, and discuss them with family, friends, colleagues before choosing another.

A heartfelt foreword from New Zealand’s favourite smiling pole vaulter, Eliza McCartney, is a great starting point. Her pride in our number 8 wire, can-do mentality and the role we all must take as kaitiaki of our beautiful country is poignant. She sums up the essence of the book with: ‘Ko au te whenua, ko whenua ko au. I am the land, and the land is me.’ From there 23 chapters which include a range of initiatives or viewpoints follow. 

The climate change crisis was one of my reasons for studying natural sciences and subsequently working as an environmental educator for numerous organisations affiliated with the New Zealand Association of Environmental Education. This included Enviroschools, an organisation all about empowering young people to live differently by teaching them how to compost, grow fruit and vegetables, reduce, reuse, and reforest both the land and the ocean. Kiwis in Climate shows how the programme has expanded into 50% of primary, 39% of secondary, and 15% of early childhood centres. Integrated environmental education means that caring for the natural world has become a normal part of life for many rangitahi. The book also mentions the nationwide School Strike 4Climate in Aotearoa in 2019 as an example of a youth-led event that catalysed 17 local councils and the central government to declare a state of climate emergency. 

Kiwis in Climate explains that the Zero Carbon Act, passed unanimously by our parliament, requires Aotearoa to have net zero emissions by 2050. One way to achieve this is to increase energy generation using renewable sources (e.g., solar, wind, hydro) from 35% to 60%. Emulating other countries by subsidising the installation of solar panels on suitable roofs would enable many communities to self-power and be a major boost to the 2050 goal.

Transport, which accounts for nearly 20% of our greenhouse gas emissions, is another topic discussed. Numerous people and organisations are working to shift Aotearoa’s dependence on fossil-fuelled cars to electric buses and trains. Research presented here shows that such a change would also result in less air pollution; less vehicles on the roads and thus less microplastics from car tyres, which is thought to make up 30% of the tiny pollutants in the NZ environment; safer streets for kids to play in; less traffic accidents; fewer traffic jams and therefore quicker travel; and less people have to spend on cars or maintenance, therefore freeing up consumer dollars to support our economy.

The third part of the book covers business and how it can support climate change initiatives. The way we spend and invest our money can be an extremely effective tool for changing a business's footprint. Mindful Money is an organisation providing free advice on how New Zealanders can use investments, such as KiwiSaver, to support companies creating climate solutions or at least actively reducing their carbon footprint; Kiwi cosmetics company Emma Lewisham is a good example, the first beauty business to achieve a Climate Positive status and international endorsement by Dame Jane Goodall.

Agriculture, one of the most important business sectors in Aotearoa, accounts for 53% of greenhouse gas emissions. In Chapter 12, two young farmers describe how ecologically friendly farming innovations have enabled farmers to reduce their climate footprint and increase profits, despite smaller herd sizes and less intensive practices. Many farmers are at the exciting stage of negative emissions through tree planting on unproductive land, which sequesters more than their animals emit. Currently, government policies, councils, and large agricultural companies do not do enough to support ecological farming practices, but nationwide uptake could ultimately result in soil carbon sequestration accounting for 61% of our total carbon emissions. Consumers win from ecological farming too, as little to no chemicals or supplementary feed are used. 

Whoever you are and wherever you are in your climate change expedition, there will be something in Kiwis on Climate to help you on your way, whether it is feeling inspired by others to change how you shop, using your investments to make a difference, voting for a local or central government candidate with climate action on their agenda, or even taking the bus instead of the car. Every journey starts with one step, and every little effort adds up to a whole lot of change.