Find the article here on page 26.

OraTaiao Executive Board Member, Summer Wright, offered an in-depth written description of OraTaiao while welcoming the New Zealand Nurses Organisation as an organisational member to OraTaiao. Her article appeared in the June edition of TE PUAWAI The Blossoming.

Find the article here on page 8.

Global Climate Health Alliance publicly released their climate health scorecard for the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of 66 countries revealing New Zealand at rock bottom – scoring zero points – alongside just 3 other nations: Australia, Iceland, and Norway.

Read the OraTaiao media statement in response here.
Read about the Scorecard here

Image source used with permission.

National happenings

NZ Rugby drops the ball - big time - in entering a sponsorship deal with petrochemical company INEOS. OraTaiao is extremely disappointed to see the announcement of the deal which demonstrates unjustified acceptance of a company involved in some of the most damaging fossil fuel activities around the world. It is deeply ironic that they will now face public protests again on the 40th anniversary of the 1981 Springboks Tour. Greenpeace names INEOS as 'one of only 20 companies responsible for half of single-use plastic items thrown away globally - and a significant player in the oil and gas sector.' Appropriately, given the relationship completely devalues any social legitimacy the All Blacks and NZ Rugby have created over the years, INEOS will be advertised on the back of the All Blacks' playing shorts.

Read the news and Greenpeace's reaction here.

Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash

The ‘ute tax’ has been credited in part with provoking the 16 July nationwide protests covered here. Under the Clean Car Discount package announced in June, starting January 2022, buyers of some new and used high emissions imports (e.g. the popular Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger models) will pay a fee ranging from $540 to almost $3000. Farmers, other ute drivers, and supporters cite issues of those impacted feeling unheard, undervalued, and overregulated following legislation they say unfairly targets and burdens them. Cited by Government as 'the best policy to increase low emissions vehicle uptake in New Zealand', the fees on higher emitting vehicles will fund discounts on electric, hybrid and low emission vehicles. Transport emissions are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand and the fee / rebate scheme, common overseas and recommended here by both the Productivity and Climate Change Commissions, is estimated to 'prevent up to 9.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.'

Find the Government press release here (includes a link to EV buyers guide).

Alongside thorny equity considerations, another facet of the complex emissions’ reduction issue - health and safety - must factor in national discussions; these are outlined here in a background paper by OraTaiao member, Alistair Woodward, who points out utes and SUVs emit 1.5 times more carbon dioxide than other vehicles while also posing risks that go beyond emissions. 

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash

The injustice of food insecurity is highlighted in this likely-to-have-been-overlooked article arguing food banks in New Zealand have wrongly become normalised yet should continue to be seen as a symbol of injustice even when connected to ‘other social justice issues – waste reduction and climate change mitigation.’
Read the article here.

Find more information on equity and food systems below.

Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash

International news

The BBC dubs The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) upcoming report required reading for many attending COP26. Due 9 August, this latest scientific summary is the most comprehensive assessment on the state of global heating since 2013 and is expected to have a big impact. Read more here.

Photo by Ilse Orsel on Unsplash

Decolonising ecological science and a diversity of worldviews on human–environment relations are both necessary for a just transition to a more sustainable world. Continuing to follow western-centred approaches will restrict research and limit ecology’s ability to address environmental crises ‘because it fails to recognise a diversity of people, knowledge systems and solutions.’

Read about five shifts to decolonise ecological science here

Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash

Food that’s fair (New this month)

Acknowledging the importance of what comes out of our mouths as well as what goes in them. OraTaiao strives to raise awareness of the global food system driving both the climate crisis and the growing burden of noncommunicable disease. Given the intersections of sustainable, healthy food, food security, and equitable health outcomes, this section will draw together information to support advocacy, advice, and personal lifestyle choices.

True there … True here. ‘International research has highlighted the climate and health co-benefit opportunity inherent in widespread uptake of plant-based diets.’ Research by OraTaiao members, Jono Drew, Christina Cleghorn, Alex Macmillan and others, finds the same holds true in a New Zealand context, describing potential for substantially less climate-pollution, health gains as high as 1.5 million quality-adjusted life-years, and health care system cost savings ranging from NZ$14–20 billion. ‘We should be rapidly looking for ways to effectively support our population in making eating pattern changes.’

The NZ research on healthy and climate-friendly eating patterns can be found here

 
Image used with author's permission

Q: Ignoring the savings for a moment, consider more research - co-authored by OraTaiao member Bruce Kidd, and featured last month – that showed increased financial costs to whā nau shifting from ‘current’ to plant-based diets; as proponents of healthy, equitable change, how do we best advocate to ensure costs are apportioned and benefits are accrued in an equitable way?

See the original research here or find a summary here

Additional information: New Zealand diet optimised for health, cost and climate protection - YouTube

Image source 

Links to share widely

Find ways to use it all (think homemade apple cider vinegar including seeds and peels) at lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz

Focus on what’s in season to keep costs down and find recipes* at 5+ A Day® Fresh Fruit and Vegetables - New Zealand.

*Idea for easy advocacy: contact [email protected] to offer your own nutritious recipes for puha or taro  (the site doesn’t offer any); an important element of inclusivity is all of us seeing ourselves reflected in our everyday surroundings – including national sites featuring food advice.

Options for actions (New this month)

Last month we shared an encouraging stat: just 3.5% of an organisation need to be on side with a movement or intention to make significant change! We also introduced the acronym AHH! as an mnemonic for applying to our lives and our work:

Aromatawi  = assess for bias, inequities, and racism; for wasteful practices, for inefficient processes and missed opportunities)
Hanga = create new partnerships, policies, procurement contracts, programmes; new  solutions that honour our commitment to Māori, to equity and to te Tiriti, to our climate, to decarbonisation, and supporting health. Decolonisation and decarbonisation.
Horapa = disseminate the ideas, korero, share the new ways…

This section will be a regular feature bringing together practical ways to contribute. From climate gatherings and conferences to petitions; from having korero with the Climate Change Commission or your own colleagues, to partnering on submissions or starting workplace initiatives. This section calls for increased advocacy, input, and leadership from our members; occasionally it may feature an advert for work. Make the most of your skills and passion by digging in at the coal face 😉grass roots level; share your successes, your ideas, and your published pieces on / relating to: decarbonising and decolonising the health sector, an equitable transition to sustainability - particularly regarding active transport, our food system, or that which has direct health impacts e.g. air and water quality. 

? Consider the controversy over taxing some vehicles and discounting others: how can you/we advocate for effective and equitable incentives while increasing uptake of active transport?

Photo by Volkan Olmez on Unsplash

Consider the climate impact of your Kiwisaver account; it could be significant. Read more here

Read the story of OraTaiao advocacy and the Medical Assurance Society divesting from fossil fuels in 2017.

Petitions to sign and promote on your social media:
PETITION: Help farming curb climate breakdown - Oxfam
NZPETITION: Healthy water for all - Greenpeace Aotearoa
NZPETITION: No New Fossil Fuel Permits or Expansions in Aotearoa | OurActionStation

Dr Niki Harre from Our Climate Declaration will host a webinar Wednesday 11 August 2021 about getting beyond "fear-based” narratives and how to engage people by promoting positive emotions and empathy. Expect to hear some real life examples. Sign up via the group’s facebook

Dr Nikki Harre on facebook

The Global Assembly. OraTaiao considers the kaupapa of the upcoming Global Assembly - ‘to accelerate action to address the climate and ecological emergency in ways that citizens see fit’ - deserving of a high profile; we encourage you to consider participating and to share the opportunity with others.

Read about the Global Assembly here

! Until 30 July (NZ 1 August) their Facebook page offers an application for a funded opportunity.  

Add to factors considered when prescribing: dry powder asthma devices have less than 10 per cent the carbon footprint of pressurised metered-dose inhalers. MDIs contain hydrofluorocarbons, which are potent climate change gases. Read more in the New Zealand Doctor article by Dr Dermot Coffey, GP in Christchurch and Co-convenor of OraTaiao.

Consider when scheduling the next patient consultation or conference whether ‘zoom’ or SKYPE might be appropriate. It won’t work for everyone but cutting travel cost and emissions when possible is a good practice.