Our rural communities can be thriving hubs of rural life, full of biodiversity, rich with regenerative organic agriculture, and producing clean green energy and jobs. But for far too long politicians and many rural leaders have pushed for greater extraction, drawing down nature for profit, and failing to recognise the risks to biodiversity, or of climate impacts, synthetic proteins, robotics and the ever deepening debt. We can't just pin hopes on techno fixes. Instead we can add values, rather than volumes. #FarmingForTheFuture involves building a #FoodSovereign nation, with safe, affordable, nutritious, seasonal food for rural and urban folk alike. Our #CleanEnergyPlan is about powering rural development through clean green #Renewables. The only way we can deliver what's needed is with a bigger, stronger #Green Party and more MPs to shape the next Government. Getting active for political progress will help ensure that farmers who do the right thing by the environment are recognised and rewarded and our rural communities become prosperous and ecologically rich, as well as being a great place to live and work. #Green2023

Like Pat Baskett and so many others, I really miss Jeanette and her sharp ability to cut to the heart of the matter. I keep the booklet of her 2013 Quaker Lecture "Enough! The challenge of a post-growth economy" always close at hand.
In 2019 Jeanette wrote her annual Patron's message for the Blueskin NGO I used to run: "With signs of climate breakdown all around us and in the media every day it has become easier to talk about it and more and more people are demanding action. I’m inspired by the school climate strikes, and delighted that my grandchildren chose to take part, with Isabella, 11, making her own sign, NOW MEANS NOW! (I wonder where she has heard that before?)".
Jeanette walked the talk and inspired generations. Now it is our turn, to do what is possible and show what is possible. It will take good science-based policy, connections and collaborations and active participation from us all in the transition and it is possible. We simply need to put a climate lens over all we do and put our collective shoulders to the wheel. #Green #ClimateAction #Degrowth #Resilience #EconomicsOfEnough

Here's a really positive story. Recently, travelling back from Rakiura / Stewart Island to Ōtepoti Dunedin, we followed the scenic coastal route and it's clear that active regeneration of native bush is being practiced on many farms. We often hear the noisy brouhaha about attempts to decarbonise our rural sector, but some leaders are simply taking practical positive steps, improving biodiversity and making a real difference!
#FarmingForTheFuture

I have so many questions about this, but at least it is private money. It comes on the same day of news about the Paekākāriki Surf Club HQ being demolished due to coastal erosion and increasing sea level rise. The Climate Adaptation Act (CAA) is intended to help Aotearoa New Zealand better deal with climate change impacts, particularly 'managed retreat' and is being worked on right now. Questions of compensation and equity...

Our primary sector, whether agriculture or wildwood harvest with a high degree of mechanisation is now highly liberalised. The neoliberal turn through the '70's and 80's is now entrenched. Ironically, as our global partners enact stricter environmental protection and decarbonisation goals, the spotlight will inevitably shine on our own poor practices. If the Government won't act, the market will eventually. But as Eugenie Sage MP says, we also need national leadership: "The Government needs to act to phase out trawling and set netting throughout the entire Māui dolphin habitat to protect dolphins and market access for seafood exports.” #ProtectNature #ThrivingOceans