Climate Aotearoa is a collection of essays introduced by former Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Editor: Helen Clark 

Publisher: Auckland: Allen & Unwin, 2021. 327 pages. 

The 14 New Zealand writers are from different backgrounds including te ao Māori, journalism, science, public health and disability advocacy. At the outset whanaungatanga or right relationship with the woven universe of people and land is presented as a precursor to discussion about climate change. As tangata whenua, Māori regard living in harmony with the natural environment as essential to climate justice. This has benefit for everyone. The chapters that follow are assembled under the headings of the science, the issues and the solutions.

It is explained clearly how the burning of fossil fuels and other practices of human industry and agriculture release gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. These are known as greenhouse gases because they contribute to the warming of the earth’s surface. This alters weather systems and dries the land. Heatwaves and drought create conditions for fire that not only destroys ground cover and living creatures and their habitat but releases smoke and toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

By absorbing the heating effects of greenhouse gases the oceans provide a buffer but warming oceans expand in volume. Rising seas erode coastlines while the increased evaporation of warmer water contributes to heavier rainfall. More severe storms increase the risk of flooding. Chemical changes from the absorption of greenhouse gases in the oceans affect marine life. The run off from agricultural land on which artificial fertilisers have been spread degrades water quality in rivers.

To begin making a significant contribution to climate change, it is argued that changes are required in our values, behaviour, technology and economics. Before demanding what governments or other people should do, it is important to recognise that we all need to work in partnership with nature. Working from home or using electronic technology for meetings reduces the demand for motorised travel. Agricultural practices that minimise the use of fertiliser and water and the planting of trees are good for the land. There are commercial enterprises that deserve to be commended for using recyclable packaging and solar heating.

Climate campaigner, Greta Thunberg, is quoted as saying, “You’re never too small to make a difference.” Simple actions that anyone could do include travelling more on public transport, installing low energy light bulbs, washing clothes in cold water, growing more of one’s own food and/or buying locally sourced food, composting kitchen scraps and plant waste and reusing, recycling and repairing wherever this is possible or feasible. Making a personal choice for a predominantly plant-based diet is explored for the effect this could have on reducing carbon emissions from the primary production of meat and dairy products.

The essays in this book do not intend to present climate change as doomsday or to make readers feel guilty. There is much that can be done and, as is stated, every fraction of a degree of warming that we can prevent is a worthwhile reduction in overall risk and adds to the protection of the most affected communities.