No more hesitation, we need climate legislation

Health professionals strongly support Generation Zero’s ‘Big Ask’ for cross-party legislative action on climate. “We must work together now to respond to our changing climate,” says Dr Alex Macmillan, acting co-convenor of OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council. “Enshrining into legislation ambitious targets and how we plan to get there is a powerful way of addressing climate change.”

Generation Zero’s new report ‘The Big Ask: One Key Step for Real Climate Action’ demonstrates how cross-party climate action in both Denmark and the United Kingdom is generating real emissions reductions and clean energy independence. New Zealand is well positioned to take advantage of similar law and action.

“Learning to live within a definite emissions budget is essential for our future health and wellbeing, our economy and employment,” says Dr Macmillan, “and the sooner we start, the better the outlook for our health and economy. Climate changes are a global health threat, but well-designed climate policies that encourage walking, cycling and public transport, ensure our homes are warm and energy efficient, and encourage healthier plant-based meals, will mean New Zealanders are much healthier and require less health services in future.”

Our country can not afford any more delay – legislation, an emissions budget and independent review such as the suggested Climate Commission would be powerful drivers providing a certain context New Zealand to reduce climate pollution. “Generation Zero, as younger New Zealanders inheriting this election’s climate decisions, deserve a ‘Yes!’ from all political parties to their ‘Big Ask’,” concludes Dr Macmillan.

Generation Zero’s report ‘The Big Ask: One Key Step for Real Climate Action’ is available on its website at http://www.generationzero.org/TheBigAsk.

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