Climate change crisis sparks calls for decisive action.
The Green Party is urging the Government to take concrete steps towards addressing climate change in light of Donald Trump's intentions to pull out of the Paris Climate Accords. Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick emphasized that every government action contributing to increased emissions exacerbates natural disasters.
According to Swarbrick, regular citizens bear the costs while corporations profit from polluting fossil fuels. She criticized Christopher Luxon for focusing on working with international leaders instead of taking action on climate change. Swarbrick called for Luxon to set an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035, scrap new fossil fuel projects, and commit to meeting the country's 2030 NDC.
Swarbrick warned that inaction will lead to catastrophic consequences, saying "the climate crisis is a ticking time bomb." She emphasized the importance of transforming the economy to serve people and planet. The Green Party leader urged Luxon to take decisive action instead of hiding behind international leaders.
The United States' potential withdrawal from the Paris Agreement would leave it as one of only four countries unwilling to cooperate on addressing climate change.