“Taking the Jump,” a European approach to local action to control climate change based on behavioural science, has been outlined to South Wairarapa Rebus Club by Chris Peterson, climate activist and former Masterton councillor.
Most people by now understand that global and local climates are changing rather more quickly than many expected, Rebus member, David Woodhams reported from the club’s July meeting.
We are experiencing the rapidly increasing rate of change that is inherent in exponential progression, with positive feedback from year to year.
Realistically, by far the greater part of what is required to counteract this must happen at international, national and local government level, largely outside our immediate and personal control.
But Chris Peterson said it has been an issue on the global, national and local “to do” list for the last 20 years, and someone, somewhere, somehow should be doing something about it!
A New Zealand study last year, by global market research company Ipsos, revealed 72% of Kiwis stated that if individuals don’t act now, they will be failing future generations.
This aligns with local sentiment, particularly in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, but many of us feel powerless and confused about what we can do at a local and personal level. Where do we start?
“Taking the Jump is an evidence-based, international programme that looks at what we can do that is within our power as ordinary citizens to handle,” Chris Peterson told the members.
“It starts wherever you are at. It is non-judgmental, practical, constructive, no great hassle – and empowering.”
A Nelson/Tasman regional group has been figuring out a measure of the change needed locally to keep global temperature increase to not more than 1.5°C. The fair share target they have set is to reduce the region’s long-lived carbon (CO2 and N2O) emissions by 8% each year until 2030.
The aim of “Take the Jump” is to develop and encourage behaviour change _ not going back to the Stone Age, just finding a balance. Less consumption can mean more contentment, he added, noting a helpful web site: https://www.takethejump.org.nz
The South Wairarapa Rebus Club: https://southwairaraparebus.com meets in the South Wairarapa Working Men’s Club in Greytown at 9:45am on the fourth Friday of each month.
The club is a community of senior and retired folk from the Martinborough, Featherston, Greytown and Carterton regions and meets monthly in Greytown on the fourth Friday. Anyone in the retired age group who may be interested in SW Rebus Club is welcome.
Guest speaker at the 22 September meeting is Paul Snelgrove, Managing Director of the Tranzit Group and, on 29 September _ a fifth Friday _ the club will tour the Greek Orthodox Church in Masterton.
