NEWS RELEASE

Tuesday October 20th, 2009

Click to enlarge 350 Aotearoa and Parliament MPs

Today at 1.30pm, MPs from National, Labour, and Green parties gathered against the cold wind to meet with members of 350 Aotearoa and students from Wellington schools to read a pledge and highlight the need for cross-party and,intergenerational action on climate change.

More than 20 MPs joined the students on Parliament grounds including National MPs Nikki Kaye, Nicky Wagner, Tim McIndoe, Cam Calder, Labour MPs Grant Robertson, Charles Chauvel, Maryanne Street, David Parker, David Shearer, David Cunlifffe, Chris Carter, Phil Twyford and Pete Hodgson, Green MPs Jeanette Fitzsimons, Russell Norman, Metiria Turei, Catherine Delahunty, Sue Kedgeley and Keith Locke. The event was organised by 350 Aotearoa with students from Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School, Samuel Marsden College, Queen Margaret College and Wellington Girls College.

The students divided the MPs in to four groups. Each group learnt and then, en masse recited the pledge:

"Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity. As Members of Parliament, we will work together, inspiring innovative solutions to address climate change now and for our children's children."

MPs then gathered behind a banner on which they signed their names.

“It’s critical that we get our politicians engaged in the 350 target, and this message is being spread to politicians across the world on October 24th – the International Day of action on climate change, where actions are taking place in over 160 countries. So while we aim to have fun events on October 24th, our message is serious,” says 350 Aotearoa spokesperson Aaron Packard.

350 Aotearoa will be presenting at the Select committee on the ETS at 9.30am tomorrow morning.

More information about October 24th and 350 Aotearoa

On October the 24th people around the world will celebrate the 350 International Day of Climate Action. People in over 160 countries will be sending a united message: 350 is the most important number for our planet.

As the first to see the sun on Oct 24th, New Zealand is kicking off the International day of action in style, with over 100 350-themed and inspiring events planned around New Zealand. Images of New Zealand actions will join with others from around the globe to create a powerful visual statement. These will be presented to world leaders (including our Climate Change Ministers), will be shown on large screens in Times Square, New York, and broadcast around the world.

350 Aotearoa is part of 350.org which is a global movement calling for what scientists say is the safe upper level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere: 350 parts per million (ppm). We are currently at approximately 387ppm and increasing at 2ppm per year.

For more information contact:

Sophie Jerram: 029 9349749, sophie@350.org.nz

Or Aaron Packard: 027 3519994, aaron@350.org

See http://http://www.350.org.nz

ENDS

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