Professor James Renwick is a leading climate scientist with four decades of experience in weather and climate research. He is a lead author and co-ordinating lead author on three assessment reports for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He was awarded the 2018 Prime Minister's Prize for Science Communication.
He and fellow Kiwi climate scientists put pen to paper for the New Zealand Herald, calling for all of us to be on the right side of history when it comes to climate action.
"No step is too small. Anything any of us can do to reduce our own carbon footprint is important", wrote Professor Renwick. "It could be choosing not to drive and taking public transport instead, using active transport (walking or cycling), buying second-hand clothes instead of new, reducing domestic waste, or eating low carbon (composting, growing your own veggies, adopting a more plant-based diet).
"For those who can afford it, action could include installing solar panels on your business, improving home insulation, or switching to an electric car or bike."
The letter also called for the systemic change that will make all the difference in the fight against this crisis, something we can help to bring about with the decisions we make every day, and by using our voices.
The letter was signed by:
- Dr Dan Hikuroa, Unesco Culture Commissioner
- Dr Sam Dean, IPCC contributing author
- Professor Bronwyn Hayward, IPCC AR6 author
- Professor Steven Ratuva, FRSNZ
- Professor Nick Golledge, IPCC AR6 author
- Professor Bruce Glavovic, IPCC AR6 author
- Associate Professor Anita Wreford, IPCC lead author
- Dr Olaf Morgenstern, IPCC AR6 author, NIWA
- Professor Dave Frame, IPCC AR6 author and Director of the NZ Climate Change Research Institute.
Written by:
- Professor James Renwick, a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.