WWU’s Paul Bailey argues Kiwi ANZAC fighting spirit should be applied to combatting climate change

Paul Bailey, Wise Water Use Member

Apply ANZAC spirit to fighting climate change

One of those statistics worth reflecting on with respect to World War Two was that NZ mobilised 294,000 people. Out of a total of 86,691,000 who were mobilised by the Allies, NZ's contribution was about 0.34%.

Even though our numbers were relatively small we can be justifiably proud of the reputation NZ earned during World War Two. New Zealanders certainly punched above their weight.

I often think of this statistic when people say that our contribution to climate change is so small that we don't have to do anything. I find it strange that these seem to be the same people who take great pride in our contribution to the winning of World War Two.

For all the geopolitical tensions that remain in the world today, climate change still remains humanity's biggest threat.

It's sad that we don't treat climate change with the same sense of urgency as we did in our fight against the Axis because I see the threat as just as big.

I hope that when we consider the rebuild after Cyclone Gabrielle we don't forget about the importance of climate change mitigation and adaptation. If we don't, then we are the generation who have forgotten the lessons taught by our ancestors, and are willing to pass the buck onto future generations.

Let's earn a reputation for punching above our weight in the fight against climate change so that we too can hold our heads high and proudly say we did our bit.

Paul Bailey, Member, Wise Water Use