Inspiring community action at the heart of Marlborough climate strike

Conservation runs in the blood of young Alex Phelps, and that is why she is taking climate change to the street.

The 16-year-old said her family had been involved in conservation for generations, as her grandfather helped establish the fluttering shearwater colony on Maud Island.

“When I was a bit younger, my aunt, my mother and I and a few other people, we went to Maud Island to dig a track there … and that was a huge thing for me because it was amazing to see that just a few people did it,” she said.

The family influence led Phelps to pursue environmental causes, such as volunteering at a Forest & Bird planting event at Marlborough’s Ronga Reserve, and she intended to study zoology after graduating from Marlborough Girls’ College.

Phelps said digging the track, at the age of 10, showed her when people got together, changes could happen.

In that vein, she was organising the climate rally as part of Climate Action Week, a national movement led by school strikers alongside climate activists of all ages. The action sought to show politicians and voters that climate breakdown was the most important issue of the 2023 election and action was needed immediately.

Previous strikes across the country had mobilised more than 38,000 people in total and organisers expected the upcoming strike to attract unprecedented numbers, as it was to be held on a Saturday rather than during a weekday.

Phelps said she hoped the strike would inspire people to connect with the climate issue and demand action.

“Because there are so many people who have been affected by extreme weather events recently, I really feel there’s a need to encourage people to vote for climate,” Phelps said.

She said the rally was backed by Climate Action Marlborough, Climate Karanga Marlborough, and School Strike for Climate.

During the rally, people would discuss how climate change could impact the Marlborough community, and how small actions could lead to big changes, such as driving less and reducing waste.

But there would be also space to talk about the science behind the climate change policies that parties will or will not bring to the election in October, such as resuming oil and gas exploration, or agricultural emissions.

“Farmers really are the backbone of our communities, they are a huge support to this country.

“I think there needs to be a lot of support for farmers … and their communities, to help encourage sustainable practices.”

Phelps said the rally would help increase awareness and make people believe that their vote counts.

“We all need to work together for the good of the country and the planet, but also for the local communities and every person involved,” she said.

All were welcome to attend the Climate Rally, which would start at The Quays Riverside Park near Te Kahu o Waipuna at 11am on September 23.

Phelps hoped people would bring their friends, and a sign.