Climate Change and the East Public Meetings

Michelle Whitaker from Flourish Inc

The threat of sea level rise has prompted a group of east Christchurch residents to take action to raise awareness leading up to next month's general election.
Eastern Rising, which was founded last year to create a monthly radio show exploring east Christchurch stories on community access radio station Plains FM, is creating a special series of four radio shows and two public forums to debate climate change solutions ahead of the September 23 election.
“Much of the recent election coverage has focused on personalities and playing 'good woman, bad woman', so we need to change the focus to the issues that really matter,” Eastern Rising founder Mark Gibson says.
“Climate change is real and the government is not doing enough to mitigate this, so we hope to raise awareness, get people talking about it and offer some solutions.”
The series kicks off with a show featuring scientists talking about climate change which will air at 5pm this Wednesday, August 16.
A public forum with election candidates discussing climate change will follow on Thursday, August 17, from 7pm at the North New Brighton Community Centre.
Confirmed candidates include Labour's incumbent Christchurch East MP Poto Williams, National list MP Jo Hayes, Green Party candidate Cathy Sweet and The Opportunity Party's Nicky Snoyink.
Candidates from other political parties are encouraged to get in contact and to come along.
The evening will be MC'd by former Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore and will also feature Evan Smith, from Eastern Vision.
The forum will be recorded to broadcast on Plains FM on September 20.
The second show, which features four young people from Canterbury University will air on Wednesday, August 23.
A public forum with a panel discussing future solutions will be held at The Good Shop by Flourish, 78 New Brighton Mall on Sunday, August 27, from 3pm.
This forum will also be recorded to air on September 6.
For more information, like the Eastern Rising page on Facebook. The shows will be available by podcast after they have aired.

ERcandidatesCCFINAL.pdf Download View