Over 700 people have signed on to CWS’s call for the New Zealand Government to support a strong and just climate deal next month in Copenhagen.  CWS is reminding churches and supporters to send them in as soon as possible. 

Almost the same number have signed on to the Pacific Conference of Churches’ petition asking for an ambitious and forward looking agreement and support in the resettlement of climate change refugees. 

With under a month to go before the United Nations summit in Copenhagen the New Zealand Government is lagging well behind other countries in its responsibility to the Earth and its people. 

For this reason CWS is also supporting the “Kiwis for 350” petition in an effort to show Parliamentarians that New Zealanders want them to pick up the pace to guarantee a future for all humanity.  The poorest and most vulnerable communities are already facing the full brunt of changing weather patterns.  Yet these countries have contributed the least amount of emissions.

Developing countries are demanding that rich countries who have produced the majority of emissions make deeper cuts and commit to helping poor countries adapt to their changing situation.

CWS is asking the New Zealand Government to support a binding 40 per cent cut in domestic emissions by 2020 and to provide poor countries with the means to adapt to the changing environment at Copenhagen.  Poor countries need additional assistance to develop with clean technology and to escape poverty.

Copies of the petition can be downloaded at: https://www.cws.org.nz/take-action/climate-change/take-action

18 November 2009