350 Ōtepoti has launched a new campaign that is focused on positive environmental steps the Dunedin City Council can take in achieving a fast and just transition to renewable electricity and creating a more climate friendly city.
This campaign consists of three demands for the council. Between 2 pm – 3 pm on Saturday (27th August) 350 Ōtepoti presented three public installations in the Octagon which are reflective of these demands. The three demands for the Dunedin City Council are to:
1 – Support Green Island Landfill to be transformed into a solar farm to power theDunedin Wastewater Treatment Plant.
2 – Secure funding for Moana Pool to decarbonise and be heated with clean renewable energy (away from LPG gas).
3 – Commit to a more ambitious heat pump installation and insulation programme and support households to transition away from coal heating.
This local campaign is part of a broader 350 Aotearoa campaign for Homegrown Energy. 350 Aotearoa advocates for solutions that will make our energy sector cleaner and fairer for communities and calls for more a level playing-field for community-led renewable energy. Dunedin City Council has an opportunity to support the use of homegrown energy, and help our city thrive. Currently, Ōtepoti, like the rest of Aotearoa, is reliant on fossil fuel electricity generation which is damaging our climate, keeping electricity prices high, causing financial hardship, and affecting the health of our people.
350 Aotearoa Executive Director Alva Feldmeier explains “We are hoping for the public installations to raise public awareness and get the attention of the candidates who are standing in the upcoming local body elections. We want climate solutions to be at the forefront of this local body election and do our bit to probe candidates on our demands for the new city council.”
“This is a great opportunity to focus on the positive, and engage potential councillors and the public. For example, looking at our demand for Moana Pool we want to make it clear that we are very supportive of our wonderful local facility Moana Pool, and think people would be shocked to hear that it is the second largest user of gas in the city, after the crematorium.”
Check out the Article in the ODT featuring this action.
Sign 350 Dunedin’s petition.