Ian Powell says climate change is the biggest threat to the planet today and we don’t have to look far to see the evidence in the form of the dramatic increase in the frequency of major adverse weather events. He says these can’t be explained away by variable weather patterns.
Mr Powell is standing as a Districtwide candidate for the Kāpiti Council.
“The seriousness of this threat is currently highlighted by the heat waves across Europe (even drying up famous previously free flowing rivers like the Po), one-third of Pakistan being under water, and (closer to home) Australia swinging from bushfires to floods and back again.
“As a candidate standing for election as a districtwide councillor on KCDC, it is right that I explain why I believe climate change should be a greater Council priority. New Zealand is a small fish in this huge planetary pool and Kāpiti is an even smaller fish. But the accumulated efforts of many small fish can help make a difference in combating the increasing threat of climate change.
“In this context the best KCDC can do is mitigate and protect (beginning with our coastal communities). I’m impressed with the work KCDC has done in declaring a climate change emergency and developing a strategic plan in response. These are good foundations but they must be operationalised.”
Mr Powell says there is a need to engender a greater sense of urgency from the Council, communities and businesses, and individuals. Increasing urgency increases responsibility which, in turn, increases the effectiveness of the climate change response.
He says KCDC should begin by establishing a climate change response advisory committee bringing together those in our communities with practical expertise and wisdom.
“We are not short-changed in Kāpiti for these people. They can advise Council on practical workable measures to be pursued.
“KCDC should engage with the community boards (who, in turn, should engage with their residents) on practical workable measures specific to their communities and wider. Communities of interest also need to be engaged with. I have immediately in mind those in coastal properties where the threat is most visible. It is not good enough for Council to not engage with them because there is a separate process looking at the issue underway. Ongoing engagement should be ‘business-as-normal’ for Council.”
Mr Powell says KCDC itself should lead by example in supporting and applying an operational mantra of reduce, reuse or recycle.
“Looking at whether waste collection could be more climate friendly (including landfill arrangements and reducing the excessive number of carbon omitting trucks), reviewing green-waste charges to incentivise greater use, and reviewing the effectiveness of our public transport system to reduce car usage are all areas worthy of investigation. KCDC must also learn to avoid boo-boos. The loss of the Waikanae recycling centre is a disgrace if we are to take climate change seriously.”
He says KCDC should also encourage and support Kāpiti businesses to adopt reduce, reuse or recycle as part of best business practice.
“There is much more than what has been done that both KCDC and Kāpiti’s residents and organisations can do. Let’s build on good work already done and take it to a new operationally focussed level. That is what I’ll be advocating if elected as a districtwide councillor.”
