THE BLUESKIN 101010 HIKOI

We got to work on Climate Change

By Carl, Virginia, & Scott

On October 10 2010 (10:10:10), a whole bunch of Blueskin Bay folk were part of something huge. It is being hailed as "the largest day of co-ordinated action the world has ever seen". We were just one of 7,347 groups of people from 188 countries who took action on climate change in the "Global Climate Work Party" organised by 350.org.

So what's that 350 number about? In a nutshell, it's about parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in our atmosphere. Immediately before the Industrial Revolution, global CO2 levels were around 275ppm. CO2 levels have risen considerably since then, mainly due to humans burning fossil fuels. Global atmospheric CO2 levels cause global warming through the 'greenhouse effect'. There are other sources of greenhouse gasses (e.g. agriculture produces methane, deforestation changes the CO2 balance), but the main culprit is CO2 resulting from our addiction to fossil fuel use. To avoid catastrophic climate change, climate scientists have recommended we keep atmospheric CO2 concentrations at or below 350ppm. Unfortunately, and somewhat alarmingly, concentrations are currently at 392ppm and rising fast! (See http://www.350.org/en/about/science). Clearly, this is a very serious problem. Many are calling it the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. It demands a serious response. NOW! Not 'sometime soon'.

So what did Blueskin Bay do about climate change on the 10th of October? Well, plenty of people got stuck in despite some pretty unpleasant weather. Climate change is after all, largely about changing weather patterns. Taking action on it doesn't wait for a sunny day!

What really stood out on the day however was that Blueskin people are extremely adaptable and resilient when faced with adverse conditions. We have also clearly shown that we are ready, willing, and able to rise to the challenge of reducing our Carbon footprints.

In Waitati the major feature of the day, was "journeys without fossil fuels". Some hardy people met early to walk to Dunedin. The weather was pretty foul at that point, so they decided to adjourn for coffee, muffins, and political satire, and then join the later journey to the beach. A sensible plan! The walkers turned up later to see off 4 cyclists who all travelled to town, with a stop-over for tea, cookies and waffles in front of the fire at VOLCO. Unicycling legend Paul Cardno had already left to get a head start. He was met at the top of Shortcut Road and accompanied into Dunedin by Paul Young of Sustainable Dunedin City, who had ridden out to meet the Waitati travellers.

In Dunedin, the cyclists joined other 101010 folk from Transition Valley 473 (North East Valley) and representatives of Cycling Otago, getting to work at Dunedin North Intermediate (DNI) School to fix up bikes. They had a local food picnic in the cosy confines of the DNI Hall, and then the two-wheeled cyclists cycled from town back to Waitati. Another keen cyclist made the journey from Dunedin to Waitati later in the day.

Meanwhile back in Waitati, sixteen walkers, (including some who had turned up earlier), a cyclist, and four dogs, travelled to Doctors Point beach. They were to have been met by contingents from Warrington and Purakanui for a picnic, but that didn't eventuate due to the weather. Those villages obviously had other activities to tempt the would-be travellers anyway. It was too cold for picnicking, so some 350s were drawn in the sand, photos taken, and then they headed home again. The travellers were met by three other cyclists part way back. When they were nearly home, their petrol powered safety/support van ran out of fuel. The walkers and cyclists carried on unperturbed. A powerful symbolic situation if there ever was one.

Many travellers commented that the trips were easier than they thought they'd be. They proved that we can all make some of our journeys, surprisingly easily, without fossil fuels - even as far as to Dunedin and back.

Meanwhile in Warrington, lots of people turned up to plant approx 100 Trees beside the Warrington Stream. Computers were revamped with Open Source software at Warrington School. In Purakanui 10 people met to do some gardening, but because of the rain, ended up building a portable chook house in the shed. Meanwhile other Purakanui folk held a discussion about car-pooling.

A new Blueskin group was launched on the 10th too. It is known as BLOC - the Blueskin Low Oil Commuting group. Their aim is to form a network of Blueskin people who want to make some of their journeys to Dunedin, (and/or back), without using fossil fuels. To find out more, email Virginia at bloc@geology.co.nz

Finally, everyone came together in the evening for an awesome party! We had some great prizes and awards. There was tons of truly fabulous local food - the vast majority of it made from locally sourced/grown ingredients. We drank local beer from McDuffs brewery. Some pieces of climate change themed art were displayed. We looked at photos from the day projected onto a screen. And for entertainment, marvellous local musician Brad Martin performed a solo acoustic set, and then joined in with Martha Hill and the Mineshafts - with Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei on ukulele!

We proved we can feed ourselves superbly - even at a comparatively lean time of the year - without needing food that's been transported thousands of kilometres. We also proved we can entertain ourselves in fine style, without spending a fortune or travelling for hundreds of kilometres too. And finally we proved we have lots of great local businesses, and just generally good people living out here in the Bay, who are all taking Climate Change seriously. Go Blueskin Bay!

The day was supported very generously by several locals who provided general help, financial assistance, and/or prizes. Huge thanks go to, (in no particular order): Waitati, Warrington, and Purakanui Schools, The Blueskin Library, Blueskin General Store, Gallery on Blueskin, The Village Potager, Sutherland Nursery, Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Seacliff Market / Coast Road Retreat, Kelvin & Beverly Lyon, Yoga Blueskin Bay, Blueskin Media, Taste Nature Organic Shop, Selected Works Bookshop, Browns Avanti Plus Cycle Specialists, Mazagran Espresso Bar, McDuffs Brewery, Citibus, Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust, Sustainable Dunedin City, Event Traffic Management Otago, Environmental Education Trust Otago, and The DCC Small Grants Scheme.

And thanks also to all of the individuals who participated on the day, and everyone who helped out in various ways. There are simply too many to list. You all know who you are. You all made the day awesome! Take a bow.

Blueskin Bay is definitely leading the way in tackling climate change. We got to work on the 10th. Now the important thing is to keep getting to work on lowering our CO2 emissions in the months and years to come. If we get serious about climate change now, it might not be too late to save our beautiful little planet. We can do it, if we keep working together!