GIVE IT UP...for the Climate

A 'flash mob sculpture' made by da people – yep, that’s you - to celebrate the many ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint and reach the target of 350ppm – the world’s best hope for a stable climate.

The sculpture will be made from ice blocks, each one filled with something we can give up to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and thereby freeze climate change.

You are all invited to participate here in Wellington (or by creating your own sculpture anywhere in the world). The more people the bigger the sculpture, the greater the impact, the lower the carbon emissions, the nearer we are to 350! So here is how YOU can get involved, it's simple and fun and involves eating ice cream!

Instructions: Have a few friends over, discuss climate actions you can commit to and share a 2 litre tub of ice cream for dessert. Recycle the 2L ice cream container by filling it almost full of water, then add an object symbolising something you are committing to reduce or replace or freeze in your life in order to lower your carbon footprint. See examples below for ideas. Place the object upside down in the middle of the base, put the lid on carefully, then freeze for 2 nights in freezer compartment. Wrap up in several layers of newspaper to keep it frozen and bring along to The Boatshed on the Waterfront in Wellington at 2pm on 24th October. I will be there to construct the sculpture. If you want to collect your object once it has thawed from the ice, please return at 4pm.

And if you’d like, why not make another ice block but this time fill it with something that represents the positive impact of your action. “GIVE IT UP…for the climate” is about committing to change our lifestyles but also celebrating the positives that come about through those changes.

Do as many blocks as you can fit in your freezer. Get creative about the contents. (Spot prizes on the day for funniest, most creative, biggest impact!). Get you children and whanau involved. Invite your friends and colleagues to also GIVE IT UP for the climate. Do whatever you can to engage people in this piece since it will really only work if many people get on board – a little like climate action in general. Let’s aim for 350 blocks – now if 35 people can encourage 10 others to make a block each then we’re sorted!

Examples of objects that can be frozen to reduce emissions:

Lump of coal - to replace fossil fuels with clean alternatives
Toy airplane - to move away from international travel
Imported food or exotic fruit – to say no to excessive food miles
Plastic toys – to commit to quality, sustainable goods
Irridescent light bulb - to say no to energy wastage
Lump of meat – to reduce meat consumption
Yoghurt pot – to reduce dairy consumption
Laminated holiday brochure – to commit to local holidays only
Car keys - to reduce car use