Politics in Pubs 3: Climate Change is Coming

Climate change is coming. The droughts, floods and fires are already here. The economic, environmental and human impacts of climate change will be so much worse than that of the coronavirus, yet, for decades, climate and social justice activists have been told that the kind of change needed to prevent the catastrophe just isn't politically possible. And yet, in just a few short months, developed nations around the world have seen radical change in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Kevin Hague and Tamatha Paul will talk with Spinoff political writer Danyl Mclauchlan about why we're prepared to sacrifice for some causes but not others, and what we should do to bring about social and environmental change in the post-covid world. 

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Kevin Hague is Chief Executive of Forest and Bird. He's a former Green Party MP, one of the architects of New Zealand's same-sex marriage legislation, and a long-time conservation campaigner. 

Tamatha Paul (Ngāti Awa, Waikato Tainui) is a Wellington City Councillor, and the council's portfolio leader on climate change. She represents the  Pukehīnau/Lambton ward. She's a former president of the Victoria University Students Association and an activist and campaigner in the fields of renting, city safety, and mental health. 

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It’s election year and we need to talk. Join Verb Wellington and The Spinoff Members for a rough and ready rummage through key election issues with experts, commentators and the odd politician. With Danyl Mclauchlan and guests, last Wednesday of the month at Meow (9 Edward St) from March to August.