If you want to help tackle climate change and don’t know where to begin, Auckland Climate Festival is the perfect place to begin.
Currently, in full swing with events running until September 29, there are more than 150 events covering wai (water), food, fashion, urban environments, transport and the economy.
The Festival, now in its third year, was established to tackle the urgent need to accelerate climate action across Aotearoa and the globe.
This year’s theme, Ngaa hua o Wai, is an invitation into a unified, regenerative and life-giving climate response. The theme is celebrated within the Festival through events inviting participants to interact with Wai, including through Waka Ama, the cleaning up of waterways, music and film on Wai, and events led by those most impacted by climate change.
Look out for activations, events, pop-ups, offerings, and gatherings will take place throughout Auckland city during the Festival.
ACF founder Michelle Kennedy (pictured) says there are numerous different ways to engage in climate action.
“We can all play our part in accelerating climate action, and by working together we raise awareness and understanding around what needs to be done, and how fast. Coming together for a concentrated period of time means we can drive deep change, because collective action will always be greater than the sum of its parts,” says Kennedy.
“The scale of climate change can be overwhelming. We can feel disconnected because it is so big. But connecting with Wai helps us reconnect with ourselves, each other, and our place in Aotearoa. And this is where the shifts will take place, as we learn to be good ancestors, lean into the changes we are able to make, and together create real impact.”
Here are a few Festival highlights that we’ve picked out for you:
September 9: The kids-only market, featuring stalls run by kids who have repurposed, up-cycled and rethought the intended use of items to make and create a market with the most unique stalls.
September 9: The Spring Seed Sowing Workshop, in which you can learn how to seed with For the Love of Bees’ urban farm.
September 7 – 21: Go Well Consulting’s deep dive course into sustainability, circular economy thinking and insights into what the latest science is telling us about the state of our environmental and social wellbeing in Aotearoa, and the history of how we got here.
September 12: Ākina Foundation’s inspiring and thought-provoking evening showcases the impact entrepreneurs working towards a regenerative Aotearoa.
September 26: B-Local brings together a Political Panel on building regenerative cities. Political leaders to share their vision for a more regenerative Auckland, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
September 29: Vincent Heeringa’s This Climate Business Live session, featuring Hon James Shaw, Minister of Climate Change; Sophie Handford, co-founder School Strike 4 Climate and more!
Find the full guide to what’s on here.
