Click to enlarge Marchers on the Parliament steps

Click to enlarge Marcher holding a"10-20% Pure" postcard

Global climate change activist group 350 Aotearoa and members of the 10-20% Pure New Zealand collective led marchers from Victoria University to the Parliament steps today, calling for Prime Minister John Key to address New Zealand's current policy on carbon dioxide emissions.

Protesters carried signs with photos of industrial buildings and barren New Zealand landscapes affected by the global environmental crisis. Marchers delivered an oversize postcard to the Minister for Climate Change Issues and the Minister for Tourism today with the words "10-20% Pure New Zealand", calling out the popular marketing phrase "100% New Zealand".

"We are delivering an alternative brand of 10-20% Pure, rather than the 100% Pure," explained James Barber, a member of the collective, in a press release. "It is unacceptable for New Zealand to lag behind Scotland, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the rest of the European Union in terms of our action on climate change”. The groups assert that New Zealand's popular marketing phrase does not reflect the country's commitment to sustainability, a goal, they argue, does not have to be at the expense of the economy.

“Scientists tell us we are already seeing the effect of climate change in retreating summer ice in the Arctic and we can expect more extreme weather events. If we look at the crippling economic effect of a prolonged drought on New Zealand farmers, common sense tells us the longer we leave the problem the higher the cost," said collective spokesperson Ruby Haazan.

The Green Party's Keith Locke accepted the oversize postcard on the Parliament steps this afternoon, promised to deliver the marchers' message to the Prime Minister.

Click to enlarge Green Party MP Keith Locke addresses the crowd.

350 Aotearoa and the 10-20% Pure New Zealand Collective are demanding the New Zealand Government to commit to an emissions reduction target of 30-40% for the year 2020.

Today's demonstration precedes the International Day of Climate Action on October 24, a worldwide event which aims to bring the climate change crisis to the international political forefront. Representatives of 350.org have co-ordinated events in cities around the world. Wellington's contingent of 350 Aotearoa will host events along the waterfront, including a bike ride around the harbour.

For more information about 350 Aoteara and the upcoming events for International Day of Climate Action see www.350.org.nz/.

ENDS

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