Dunedin community braves the cold to join 350 global day of action

On Saturday, Dunedin residents both young and old headed along to Dunedin North Intermediate to celebrate a global day of action on climate change. Live music and interactive stalls paved the way for a great afternoon learning about sustainable living and relaxing in the Dunedin North Intermediate hall.

The day, called Moving Planet, was organised by the grassroots climate change group, 350. The event aligned Dunedin with a network of groups celebrating the day around the world – even Libya, despite the recent turmoil, organised its own Moving Forward day.

Residents could choose from a wide array of activities, from participating in a carbon quiz to writing letters to Ministers about lignite mining.

Sam Sharp, one of the co-ordinators of the day was thrilled with the outcome. “It’s heart-warming to see such a diverse mixture of people coming together to learn about ways to reduce our impact on the Earth.”

And the participants certainly agreed. “It’s so refreshing to be able to come along and see all the great things going on in the Dunedin community,” said Alec Dawson, a local student.

As well as educating people, 350 also used the day to gather signatures for a petition to be delivered to local and national leaders. The Dunedin festival collected over 500 signatures on the day, with the help of keen volunteers out in the rain. The petition calls for a 10-year moratorium on coal, increased funding of cycle ways, and a plan for investing in renewables energy.
“The numbers we had today, and the enthusiasm from the crowd, show just how important this issue is, and I hope the Government takes this on board,” said Sam Sharp.

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