Working the local-global nexus

Nations’ governments are unreliable actors for climate action. As politics becomes more polarised, we can expect shorter parliamentary terms and greater swings in policy focus. Cities and regions are doing much better, with organisations such as the C40 leading the way. The C40 now includes 97 cities representing 22% of the global economy.

The current New Zealand government has backslid massively on climate action, with their myopic focus on economic growth. One response is to build cohesion locally and regionally, and to reach out to international partners.

This diagramme summarises some of the good things happening at the local and international levels.

Until central governments display genuine and consistent investment in healing the climate and other aspects of the meta-crisis, local communities here and globally should reach across central government to work with global institutions and NGOs evidently taking action.

Local government is closer to community. In Te Tai Tokerau we have some excellent people in governance and operational roles. Carol Peters, the chair of the Climate Change Taitokerau Northland Trust is standing for the Whangārei District Council again.

Some examples

First, a disclaimer. In organisations such as the United Nations, there are people doing incredibly good work. The UN World Food Programme is 100% voluntary funded and seeks to help the 319 million people experiencing hunger and food insecurity. The Declaration of Human Rights, developed after World War Two is an aspirational document that most nations are still not complying with. On the other hand the UN Security Council is in urgent need of rehabilitation. Organisations such as the World Economic Forum and the World Bank are both criticised and respected. The examples that follow are of organisations that are widely regarded for their good work.

Global indigenous communities

Climate policy is dominated by Western thinking – the same thinking that precipitated the climate crisis. It can’t recognise its blind spots. Another prerequisite for effective global action is creating more inclusive frameworks of thinking that are able to harmonise Western thinking with that of the world’s Indigenous communities. We are fortunate to have Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn as one of our trustees. She is strongly connected to Indigenous communities around the world. Here she is at the UN.

Growing community action and cohesion

Here are a couple of screenshots from the Doughnut Economics Action Lab video above. These come from the Amsterdam Doughnut Coalition.

This first image identifies that there are a lot of people in all the sectors listed at the bottom of the image, who are not yet ready to act. But there are also a few connectors and people who are keen to act.

At this stage of our still embryonic climate action, connecting to others in other sectors is vital. The good people in local government are a good place to start. Who do you know to be a connector – please leave a comment below.