For Immediate Release

Hundreds of New Zealanders lift their hats in support of strong action on climate change

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Wellington, 12 August: At 1pm today hundreds of New Zealanders took synchronised action to send a strong message to the Government: they have their eyes firmly fixed on the huge benefits of strong action on climate change.

The event, called Eyes Wide Open, saw large numbers of people nationwide stand frozen for five minutes with woolly hats over their eyes. At 1.05pm they collectively lifted their hats, demonstrating that they won't have the wool pulled over their eyes about the possibilities for emissions reduction. Hundreds of people gathered in public places in central Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. Individuals and groups of people joined in at schools and workplaces across the country.

The event followed on the heels of the Government's announcement of a highly conditional emissions reduction target of 10-20% (relative to 1990 levels) by 2020. Event co-coordinator Nick Holmes says the huge turnout illustrates how passionate people are about the need for New Zealand to take much more serious, urgent action on climate change. "Extremely strong public support for a 40% reduction target was seen during the Government's public climate change consultations, over 90,000 people have joined Greenpeace's Sign On campaign, and today we've witnessed more support yet again. New Zealanders are really disappointed about their Government's lack of vision in announcing such a weak target, because they can see such huge advantages in our country really taking a lead on this issue."

Benefits include new jobs and growth in industries that reduce emissions, business opportunities for farmers, and more vibrant towns and cities. New Zealand will also benefit by improving the 'clean and green' image that it trades on and avoiding more costly emissions reductions in the future.

Concerns about the economic impact of emissions reduction were one of the major reasons given by the Government for setting a weaker target, but Eyes Wide Open organisers say these concerns are misplaced. "The science is telling us we in the developed world need to reduce our emissions 25-40% by 2020 to avoid devastating climate change. The economic cost of climate change is expected to increase the longer bold action is delayed. There are viable reduction options in all emissions sectors, and clear examples of ways to reduce emissions that will benefit not only the environment and our communities, but the economy as well", says Jinty MacTavish, fellow coordinator of the event.

Nick Potter, Chair of the Intersect Trust and a supporter of the event, says this a chance for New Zealanders to collectively reframe the emissions reduction discussion. “For too long, the climate change conversation has been dominated by people emphasising the costs of action. The conversation needs to move to the costs of not taking action, to the benefits we can create by taking real action now.”

Eyes Wide Open was spontaneously organised by volunteers across New Zealand, and was supported by Oxfam New Zealand, 350 Aotearoa, Greenpeace New Zealand, WWF New Zealand and the Intersect network of young professionals.

Organisers are encouraging the public to continue to express their support of a strong emissions reduction target, by writing to the Government, signing on with Greenpeace (www.signon.org.nz ), taking part in the 350 International Day of Climate Action (www.350.org.nz ), and - most importantly - by taking steps to reduce their own carbon footprint and the footprint of their community.

ENDS

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