Earlier this week, one hundred and fifty academics and experts across various disciplines signed an open letter to the New Zealand government calling for greater and more immediate action on climate change. If we do not act, we face impending catastrophic environmental breakdown.
An open letter to the NZ Government urging immediate action on climate change
We the undersigned, representing diverse academic disciplines, call on the government to take robust and emergency action in response to the deepening ecological crisis. The science is clear, the facts are indisputable, and it is unacceptable to us that future generations in Aotearoa and globally should have to bear the terrifying consequences of climate breakdown.
Infinite economic growth on a planet with finite resources is not viable. And yet successive governments have promoted free-market principles which demand rampant consumerism and endless economic growth, thus allowing greenhouse gas emissions to rise. If we continue on our current path, the future for our species is disastrous.
The recent special report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is unequivocal. The world’s leading climate scientists warn that we have only 12 years to halve global emissions and get on track to avoid warming of more than 1.5C and catastrophic environmental breakdown. They have advocated urgent and unprecedented global action. As Debra Roberts, co-chair of the IPCC working group says: “this is the moment and we must act now”. The message could not be clearer.
New Zealand has a history of taking courageous political initiatives which have had global influence. We can, and must, do it again with bold and urgent action on climate. New Zealand could lead the world by immediately developing a data-informed plan for rapid decarbonisation of the economy. We demand that the government meets its duty to protect its citizens from harm and to secure the future for generations to come.
The views expressed here are those of the signatories and not their organisations.
Dr Julie Rowland, Assoc. Professor School of Environment, University of Auckland
Professor Clark Thomborson, Computer Science, University of Auckland
Dr Virginia Braun, Professor, School of Psychology, University of Auckland
Dr Rachel Fewster, Associate Professor, Department of Statistics, University of Auckland
Dr Anna Santure, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland
Dr Elizabeth Peterson, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Auckland
Dr Mark Harvey, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries, University of Auckland
Dr Wei Yuen Loo, Senior Lecturer, Civil Engineering, Unitec Institute of Technology
Cordelia Lockett, Senior Lecturer, Bridging Education, Unitec.
Dr Deborah Hager, Senior Tutor, School of Population Health, University of Auckland
Lawrence J Carter, Senior Lecturer (ret), Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Auckland.
Dr Terry Fleming, Senior Lecturer, School of Health, Victoria University
Dr Lisa Te Morenga, Senior Lecturer, School of Health, Victoria University
Dr Terryann Clark, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing, University of Auckland
Dr Dushko Bogunovich, Assoc. Adjunct Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Auckland
Professor James Renwick, School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington
Emeritus Prof Sir Alan Mark, FRSNZ, Botany Dept., Univ of Otago.
Matthew Larcombe, Lecturer, Botany Dept., Univ of Otago.
Katja Schweikert, Teaching Fellow, Ecology, Univ of Otago.
Sandy Garner, Professional Practice Fellow, Comp.Science, Univ of Otago
Alexandra Gavryushkina, Postdoctoral fellow, Dept. of Biochemistry, Univ of Otago
Charles Pigden, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Otago
Kiel Hards, Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology, Univ of Otago
Mani Ekambaram, Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Sciences, University of Otago
Erwin Lamping, Senior Research Fellow, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago
Richard Jackson, Professor. National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Otago.
Linn Hoffmann, Senior Lecturer, Botany Dept., Univ of Otago.
Alistair Knott, Associate Professor, Dept of Computer Science, University of Otago.
Gregory Dawes, Professor of Philosophy, University of Otago.
John Reynolds, Professor of Neuroscience, University of Otago.
Ralph Adler, Professor of Accountancy, University of Otago
Kath Dickinson, Professor of Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, University of Otago
Clinton Golding, Associate Professor, HEDC University of Otago
Robert McLachlan FRSNZ, Distinguished Professor of Applied Mathematics, Massey University
Steve Kerr, Assoc. Prof., Neuropharmacology, Dept. Pharmacology & Toxicology, Univ. Otago
Shannon McNatty, Professional Practice Fellow, School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences
Lisa Ellis, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Politics, University of Otago
Catherine Hartung, Lecturer in Education Studies, University of Otago College of Education
Cliff Law, Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago
Anita Wreford, Associate Professor, AERU, Lincoln University
Ruth Napper, Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, University of Otago
Julian O’Hagan, Professional Practice Fellow, School of Physiotherapy clinics, Otago University
Michel Herde, PhD, Laboratory Co-ordinator, Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago
Jim Cotter, Professor of Exercise and Environmental Physiology, University of Otago
Nigel Perry, Research Professor, Chemistry, University of Otago
Chris Button, Sport and Exercise Science, University of Otago
Mike Boyes, Associate Professor of Outdoor Education, School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Otago
Paul Dalziel, Deputy Director, Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit, Lincoln University
Catherine Bagnall, Senior Lecturer, School of Design, Massey University.
Dr Greg Gilbert, Educational Developer, Massey University
Ann Shelton, Associate Professor Photography, Massey University
Dr Martin Patrick, Senior Lecturer, Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Massey University
Dr Andreas Wesener, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, School of Landscape Architecture, Lincoln University
Dr Julia Wilson, Research Fellow, University of Otago
Simone Gabriel, Lecturer, College of Creative Arts (CoCA), School of Music and Creative Media Production, Massey University
Prof Sandhya Samarasinghe, Complex Systems, Big Data and Informatics Initiative, Lincoln University
Dr Catherine Elliot, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design; Department of Tourism, Sport and Society; Lincoln University
Georgiana Morison, Educator, Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Toi Rauwharangi, Massey University.
Sue Jarvis, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Lincoln University
David Simmons, Professor of Tourism, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Lincoln University
Dr Roy Montgomery, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Lincoln University
Professor G David Baxter, Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago
Dr Lin Roberts, Senior Lecturer in Sustainability and Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Lincoln University
Dr Silvia Nissen, Lecturer in Environmental Policy, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Lincoln University
Tui Matelau, Senior Lecturer, Bridging Education, Unitec Institute of Technology
Dr Klaus Bosselmann, Professor of Law, New Zealand Centre of Environmental Law, University of Auckland
Dr Iain White, Professor of Environmental Planning, University of Waikato.
Professor David V Williams FRSNZ, Faculty of Law, University of Auckland
Tim Hazledine, Professor of Economics, University of Auckland
Professor Jane Kelsey, Faculty of Law, University of Auckland
Distinguished Professor Dame Anne Salmond, FNAS, FRSNZ, FBA, FAHNZ, DBE, CBE, Department of Māori Studies, University of Auckland
Sue Crossan, Senior Lecturer, Community Development, Unitec Institute of Technology
Margaret Mutu, Professor of Māori Studies, University of Auckland
Karen Hicks, Senior Lecturer, Health Promotion, Unitec Institute of Technology
Robyn Gandell, Academic Advisor, Unitec Institute of Technology
Magdalena Garbarczyk, Lecturer, Architecture, Unitec Institute of Technology
Dr Renata Jadresin Milic, Senior Lecturer, Unitec Institute of Technology
Kerry Francis, Registered Architect, Lecturer, Unitec Institute of Technology
Dr Hamish Foote, Senior Lecturer, Unitec Institute of Technology
Gayle Souter-Brown, PhD candidate, Unitec Institute of Technology
Marcus Williams, Associate Professor, Unitec
Krystina Kaza, Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Unitec Institute of Technology
Dr Kara Rosemeier, Passive House Academy New Zealand
Dr David Hall, Senior Researcher, The Policy Observatory, AUT
Professor Len Gillman, Head of School of Science and Associate Dean, International for the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, AUT.
Joe Chang, Clinical Lecturer, Department of Biomedicine and Medical Diagnostic, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, AUT.
Sarah Scott, Tutor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, AUT.
Graham Hinchliffe, Senior Research Officer, School of Science, AUT.
Dr Rebecca Jarvis, Research Fellow, Institute for Applied Ecology NZ, School of Science, AUT
Dr Chris Pook, Senior Research Technician, School of Science, AUT
Pauline Bishop, Lecturer, BTECE, Community Development, Te whare wananga o Wairaka Unitec Institute of Technology
Judi Simpson, Senior Lecturer, Unitec Institute of Technology.
Hector Zinck, Lecturer Unitec Institute of Technology
Iman Ardekani, Associate Professor, Computer Science, Unitec Institute of Technology
Cesar Lador, Lecturer, Civil Engineering, Unitec Institute of Technology
Jayne Mercier, Senior Lecturer, Community Development, Unitec Institute of Technology
Associate Prof. Hannah Buckley, Auckland University of Technology
Indra Dhanaraj, Lecturer, Language Studies, Unitec Institute of Technology
Anne Kayes, Lecturer, Bridging Education, Unitec Institute of Technology
Louise Heaps, Lecturer, Building Construction & Services, Unitec Institute of Technology
Terry Church, Lecturer, Building Construction & Services, Unitec Institute of Technology
Arihia Waenga, Kaiako, Bridging Education, Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka
Susan McLaren, Lecturer, Language Studies, Unitec Institute of Technology
Caroline Malthus, Senior Lecturer, Student Learning and Achievement, Unitec Institute of Technology
John Stansfield, Senior lecturer in Community Development, Unitec.
Jessamine Fraser, Design Tutor, School of Architecture, Unitec Institute of Technology
Dr Kat Bolstad, Senior Lecturer, Auckland University of Technology
Dr Donnabella Lacap-Bugler, Senior Lecturer, School of Science, Auckland University of Technology
Maja Zidov, Sustainability Manager, Unitec Institute of Technology
Jenni Percy, Senior Lecturer in Language Studies, Unitec Institute of Technology
Nikki Sullivan, Academic Advisor, Unitec Institute of Technology
Dr Colleen Higgins, Senior Lecturer, Auckland University of Technology
Dr Mike Joy, Senior Researcher, Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Victoria University Wellington
Prof Martin Manning, Climate Change Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington
Courtney Steele, Assistant Research Fellow, Dept Public Health, University of Otago
Dr Gay Keating, Dept Public Health, University of Otago
Dr Cristina Cleghorn, Dept Public Health, University of Otago
Dr Margaret Stanley, Assoc. Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
Dr Jo Peace, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
Lorne Roberts, Senior Lecturer, Environmental & Animal Sciences, Unitec Institute of Technology
Allan McEvoy, Lecturer, Social Practice, Unitec Institute of Technology
Robyn Reid, Lecturer, Early Childhood Education, Unitec Institute of Technology
Jude Ball, Research Fellow, Dept Public Health, University of Otago
Professor Richard Edwards, Dept Public Health, University of Otago
Julian Crane, Research Professor, Dept Medicine, University of Otago
Dr Janet Hoek, Professor of Public Health & Marketing, University of Otago
Dr Eva Neely, Lecturer, Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Massey University
Dr Kimberley O’Sullivan, Research Fellow, Housing & Health Research Programme, Dept of Public Health, University of Otago
Dr Keri Lawson-Te Aho, Dept Public Health, University of Otago
George Thomson, Assoc. Professor, Dept Public Health, University of Otago
Dr Sarah Donovan, Research Fellow, Dept Public Health, University of Otago
Dr Sonia Lewycka, Research Fellow, Nursing, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Auckland
Professor Susan Krumdieck, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Energy and Material Systems Lab, University of Canterbury
Dr Carl Petersen, Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury
Dr Laura Revell, Lecturer in environmental physics, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury
Professor Philip Schluter, School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury – Te Whare Wänanga o Waitaha
John Freeman-Moir, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Educational Studies, University of Canterbury
Jeanette Budgett, Senior Lecturer, Architecture, Unitec Institute of Technology
Professor Markus J. Milne, Department of Accounting and Information Systems, University of Canterbury
Emeritus Professor Andrew Sturman, Centre for Atmospheric Research/Department of Geography, University of Canterbury
Dr Ruth Cunningham, Senior Research Fellow & Public Health Physician, Dept Public Health, University of Otago
Dr Stephen Knight-Lenihan, Senior lecturer, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Auckland
Kristin Wickens, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, University of Otago
Dr Hera Cook, Department of Public Health, University of Otago
Shelley Cooper, Lecturer, Architecture, Unitec Institute of Technology
Taciano L Milfont, PhD, Senior Associate Editor, Environment and Behavior, Associate Editor, Journal of Environmental Psychology, School of Psychology, Victoria University
Professor Alan Brent, Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems, Victoria University
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