Rugby star kicks off Global Climate Working Bee

Vodafone Wellington Lion and All Black Conrad Smith has announced that he is supporting the 350 Aotearoa Global Climate Working Bee, set for Sunday 10th October

350 Aotearoa is part of an international campaign and aims to mobilise New Zealanders to initiate actions to address climate change. The flagship day on 10th October 2010, the Global Climate Working Bee, will see thousands of volunteers from 180 countries planting trees, organising bike rides and insulating homes in a bid to get to work on climate change and do something positive for the environment.

The environmentally conscious rugby star, a Project Litefoot Ambassador, is calling on New Zealand communities and workplaces to put on their own climate working bee and initiate an action that will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and have fun doing it.

“As Kiwis we can be true clean green leaders,” said Conrad. “Getting involved in the Global Climate Working Bee is about taking one step towards this.”

“Yes we’ll be helping to address climate change, but there are heaps of other benefits. By working together on things like insulation, bike lanes or community vege gardens, we’ll be building stronger communities, saving money and be healthier too.”

350 Aotearoa supports the goal of reducing carbon dioxide from its current level of 390 parts per million (ppm) to below 350 ppm, the safe upper limit according to the latest science.

The global campaign has recently been endorsed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. “It’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work on building the clean energy future that will generate economic opportunity and provide a better, safer, healthier world for our children,” said Secretary Moon. “On October 10, I encourage everyone to do his or her part to be part of the solution to the climate challenge.”

Over 3,400 events are already registered globally for 10/10/10. Activities will range from tree planting and community gardens to bike workshops and awareness raising events.

Over 65 events are currently registered in New Zealand. Registered actions include:

• The White Roofs Project in Auckland will paint many high-visibility rooftops white to reflect sunlight and help cool the planet.
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• The Auckland Big Bike Fix Up will include bike skills workshops and free fix ups on Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.
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• Volunteers will be planting native species in Earthwise Valley, on the Coromandel Peninsula, throughout October to convert degraded farmland back to native rainforest.
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• 350 locally sourced natives will be planted in Carterton, Wairarapa, to regenerate wetlands and clean up the polluted Kokotau swimming spot.
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• The 10/10/10 Wellington Wander will showcase the best walking shortcuts in Wellington to encourage swapping the car for your feet.
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• At Scarborough beach, south of Timaru, volunteers will clean rubbish from along the shoreline and plant native trees in the nearby wetland.
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• Frocks on Bikes will take a tour around Christchurch city.
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• An environmental awareness and education festival aims to bring all Marlborough has to offer in terms of sustainable practices together.
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• ‘Swap it’ encourages Dunedin locals to spring clean their closets in a sustainable fashion.
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• Sustainable Dunedin City are organising a ‘Local food picnic extravaganza’ in Dunedin with live entertainment.
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After the events, all eyes turn to Cancun, where world leaders are meeting in December to build an international treaty to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. The failure of world leaders to reach a binding agreement in Copenhagen last year makes the negotiations especially critical.

Lara Charles of 350 Aotearoa said: “Action in the community not only has the potential to minimise the effects of climate change directly, but also has the power to influence and inspire change in other sectors such as business and government.”

“We’re hoping for action all around Aotearoa. Each event, big or small, helps make the statement that we want to get back to a 350ppm world.”

Interested groups are encouraged to register by visiting www.350.org.nz . Organisers can download information and materials to assist with the organising, promotion and implementation of their climate working bee action.

ENDS

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