Climate Aotearoa: What's happening & what we can do about it

by Helen Clark (Editor)

The science on climate change in Aotearoa New Zealand now and in the future, and what changes we all need to make.

Contributions from a range of climate scientists and commentators Rob Bell, Jason Boberg, Adelia Hallett, Sophie Handford, Rhys Jones, Haylee Koroi, Matt McGlone, Jamie Morton, Rod Oram, Jim Salinger, Kera Sherwood-O'Regan, Simon Thrush and Andrew Jeffs.

Climate Aotearoa outlines the climate situation as it is now, and as it will be in the years to come. It describes the likely impact on the environment and on our day-to-day living situation.

It suggests the changes you can make for maximum impact, what we should be asking of our government and what we should be asking of our business community. In doing so, this is a hopeful book - actions can make a difference.

Genres: Nonfiction

327 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2021

About the author

Helen Elizabeth Clark ONZ SSI PC is a New Zealand politician who served as the 37th prime minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008 and was the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme from 2009 to 2017. She was New Zealand's fifth-longest-serving prime minister, and the second woman to hold that office.

Abridged from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Particularly enjoyed the chapters by Haylee Koroi (In Right Relationship - Whanaungatanga); Kera Sherwood-O'Regan & Dr Rhys Jones (From Threat to Opportunity: Climate Change and Health in Aotearoa New Zealand); and Rod Oram (Climate, Agriculture and Food: How to Turn the Triple Threat into a Three-Fold Solution).

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s taken me absolute ages to finish this book because it’s detailed and academic so not a good bedtime read! But it’s an interesting analysis of the effects of the climate emergency in Aotearoa and what we could do about it if any of us, our politicians, industries or organisations, could be bothered which, it seems, is unlikely.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I struggled a bit through the first few chapters, but the last two thirds made up for it. This was a really useful educational resource, explaining what's happening and what can be done at an individual level.

[Rob Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read. I particularly enjoyed the introduction and the chapters by Sophie Hanford, Jamie Morton, and Rod Oram.

[Sarah McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, digestable summary of climate change and Aotearoa. A must-read for everyone!

[Susan Wilson]

A great resource with similar information presented from different viewpoints (science, economic, etc). Written in a way that is easy to both read and understand.

[Tasman District Libraries]

Climate Aotearoa: What’s happening & what we can do about it is a book every single New Zealander should read in my humble opinion!
The book contains contributions from a range of climate scientists, engineers, researchers, and disability and social advocates. It outlines the current state of New Zealand with our warming climate, and details what mitigations can be taken by every New Zealander now to try to limit future climate change impacts.
Now that we know the true speed and scope of climate change in the recently released IPCC report it is helpful to have a New Zealand view of where to from here? Publisher Allen & Unwin describes Climate Aotearoa “suggests the changes you can make for maximum impact, what we should be asking of our government and what we should be asking of our business community. In doing so, this is a hopeful book - actions can make a difference”.
Helen Clark who edits the book states in a recent RNZ interview “you've got time to act, the window is closing. And if you don't, you're going to get over those tipping points from which there's no return."
I strongly recommend reading this book.

Reviewed by Jane at Richmond Library.