Archives for June 12, 2012

Thank for your interest in this action: we have now presented this petition to the NZ government and so we are no longer collecting signatures for this petition. The details of the petition have been left here for archival purposes. However we still recommend that people write to Prime Minister John Key directly, and details are given below.

A huge public display of support before November’s conference in Cancun, Mexico, will show the government we expect our leaders to play their part in delivering a fair deal on climate change.

World leaders must rejuvenate the climate talks in Cancun by delivering on their promise to establish a new Global Climate Fund that enables poor communities to tackle the impacts of climate change. Action now will protect food supplies and save lives.

We’re calling on the New Zealand government to support the new Global Climate Fund; to support innovative proposals to finance climate adaptation and mitigation such as the Robin Hood Tax; and to support a fair climate deal for the Pacific.

Show your support for a fair climate deal. write a letter to Mr Key directly

Our e-petition to John Key

This is the text of the petition that we asked people to send to John Key:

“Climate change affects people living in poverty first and worst, though they are the least equipped to deal with it. Climate change is affecting our neighbours in the Pacific right now.

I call on the New Zealand government to support a fair deal with enough new money for poor communities to cope with the effects of climate change and to develop low carbon technologies. This money should be in addition to New Zealand’s existing aid commitments.

New Zealand and other industrialised countries must also lead the way by dramatically cutting their greenhouse gas emissions to help stabilise the climate for future generations.”

Your messages of support for a fair climate deal were presented to John Key’s government on Thursday 18th November prior to the Cancun conference in November.

Write a letter to Mr Key

Taking the time to write and send a personal letter is one of the most powerful and effective actions you can take. It shows just how much you really care about this issue. And you will be more likely to get an answer back from John Key.

Send your letter of support for a fair climate deal for the Pacific to : Hon. John Key, Private Bag 18 888, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160

Please send us a quick email at campaigns@oxfam.org.nz to let us know that you’ve written to Mr Key directly.

Find out more

• Climate Change: poor communities in developing countries are being hit first and worst.
• The Robin Hood Tax: tax on bankers could raise billions of dollars to tackle poverty

Help Haiti today and tomorrow: Cancel the debt

Oxfam’s biggest concern right now is dealing with the immediate aftermath of the humanitarian disaster caused by the devastating earthquake. But in our concern to help those suffering, let’s not forget the long term.

The world’s attention is focused on Haiti. Leaders are pledging to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people and help them to build a brighter future out of the rubble. The debts that Haiti owes will hamper efforts to rebuild the country and lock them in poverty for years to come.

Leaders met in Montreal recently to discuss their response but didn’t commit to debt cancellation. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that it will work to cancel the debt, and this now needs to happen.

• Visit Oxfam Great Britian’s website to email the head of the IMF Dominique Strauss-Kahn to demand leaders cancel Haiti’s debts immediately.

Why is debt cancellation so important?

Haiti still owes hundreds of millions of dollars in debt – a legacy of loans from global financial institutions and donor nations to unelected governments of years past. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and yet the IMF response to the earthquake was to offer a $100 million loan. This loan would increase Haiti’s debt burden at this time of crisis.

Right now global leaders are deciding on the planet’s future. We need to make sure that New Zealand is doing its fair share to avert the worst climate impacts for the world’s most vulnerable countries and poorest people. This is not the time to ignore their voices. This is crunch time for the planet.

Email John and tell him to step up to the mark – New Zealanders want him to support a fair, ambitious and legally binding treaty.

Your email

Feel free to edit the email – simply click on the text and make any changes you wish.

Dear Prime Minister

 

I am pleased that you are taking an active part in one of the most crucial meetings of our time. New Zealand must be serious about taking action to avoid catastrophic climate change and protecting the future of our Pacific neighbours. I urge you not to block, but to support a treaty that is fair to developing countries, ambitious enough to tackle the problem and legally binding. Along with other rich countries, New Zealand must not try to re-negotiate the mandate for the past two years of negotiations at the last minute in a way that is deeply unfair to developing countries.

Avoiding catastrophic climate change is not possible unless all big emitters commit to ambitious action, however, industrialised countries must take the lead. Emerging economies will quickly follow and are in fact already taking action to reduce their own emissions. New Zealand needs to commit to a more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target of at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and to make these reductions at home rather than paying poor countries to do our fair share.

It is the responsibility of rich countries, which have caused the climate crisis, to financially support poor countries, which are least to blame but suffering first and worst from the effects. New Zealand’s pledge at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting last month to the Fast Start fund is a very modest first step. However, it is completely inadequate in dealing with the need. New Zealand must commit to long-term climate financing for poor countries. They need stronger sea walls, they need cyclone-proof shelters, they need drought-resistant crops and they need them now.

This is not the time to ignore the voices of the most vulnerable countries. It is not a matter of aid – it is a matter of fulfilling our responsibility.

Yours in hope,
<Your name will be added here>

 

I am pleased that you are taking an active part in one of the most crucial meetings of our time. New Zealand must be serious about taking action to avoid catastrophic climate change and protecting the future of our Pacific neighbours. I urge you not to block, but to support a treaty that is fair to developing countries, ambitious enough to tackle the problem and legally binding. Along with other rich countries, New Zealand must not try to re-negotiate the mandate for the past two years of negotiations at the last minute in a way that is deeply unfair to developing countries.

Avoiding catastrophic climate change is not possible unless all big emitters commit to ambitious action, however, industrialised countries must take the lead. Emerging economies will quickly follow and are in fact already taking action to reduce their own emissions. New Zealand needs to commit to a more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target of at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and to make these reductions at home rather than paying poor countries to do our fair share.

It is the responsibility of rich countries, which have caused the climate crisis, to financially support poor countries, which are least to blame but suffering first and worst from the effects. New Zealand’s pledge at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting last month to the Fast Start fund is a very modest first step. However, it is completely inadequate in dealing with the need. New Zealand must commit to long-term climate financing for poor countries. They need stronger sea walls, they need cyclone-proof shelters, they need drought-resistant crops and they need them now.

This is not the time to ignore the voices of the most vulnerable countries. It is not a matter of aid – it is a matter of fulfilling our responsibility.

Yours in hope,
<Your name will be added here>

 

I am pleased that you are taking an active part in one of the most crucial meetings of our time. New Zealand must be serious about taking action to avoid catastrophic climate change and protecting the future of our Pacific neighbours. I urge you not to block, but to support a treaty that is fair to developing countries, ambitious enough to tackle the problem and legally binding. Along with other rich countries, New Zealand must not try to re-negotiate the mandate for the past two years of negotiations at the last minute in a way that is deeply unfair to developing countries.

Avoiding catastrophic climate change is not possible unless all big emitters commit to ambitious action, however, industrialised countries must take the lead. Emerging economies will quickly follow and are in fact already taking action to reduce their own emissions. New Zealand needs to commit to a more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target of at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and to make these reductions at home rather than paying poor countries to do our fair share.

It is the responsibility of rich countries, which have caused the climate crisis, to financially support poor countries, which are least to blame but suffering first and worst from the effects. New Zealand’s pledge at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting last month to the Fast Start fund is a very modest first step. However, it is completely inadequate in dealing with the need. New Zealand must commit to long-term climate financing for poor countries. They need stronger sea walls, they need cyclone-proof shelters, they need drought-resistant crops and they need them now.

This is not the time to ignore the voices of the most vulnerable countries. It is not a matter of aid – it is a matter of fulfilling our responsibility.

Yours in hope,
<Your name will be added here>

 

I am pleased that you are taking an active part in one of the most crucial meetings of our time. New Zealand must be serious about taking action to avoid catastrophic climate change and protecting the future of our Pacific neighbours. I urge you not to block, but to support a treaty that is fair to developing countries, ambitious enough to tackle the problem and legally binding. Along with other rich countries, New Zealand must not try to re-negotiate the mandate for the past two years of negotiations at the last minute in a way that is deeply unfair to developing countries.

Avoiding catastrophic climate change is not possible unless all big emitters commit to ambitious action, however, industrialised countries must take the lead. Emerging economies will quickly follow and are in fact already taking action to reduce their own emissions. New Zealand needs to commit to a more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target of at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and to make these reductions at home rather than paying poor countries to do our fair share.

It is the responsibility of rich countries, which have caused the climate crisis, to financially support poor countries, which are least to blame but suffering first and worst from the effects. New Zealand’s pledge at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting last month to the Fast Start fund is a very modest first step. However, it is completely inadequate in dealing with the need. New Zealand must commit to long-term climate financing for poor countries. They need stronger sea walls, they need cyclone-proof shelters, they need drought-resistant crops and they need them now.

This is not the time to ignore the voices of the most vulnerable countries. It is not a matter of aid – it is a matter of fulfilling our responsibility.

Yours in hope,
<Your name will be added here>

 

I am pleased that you are taking an active part in one of the most crucial meetings of our time. New Zealand must be serious about taking action to avoid catastrophic climate change and protecting the future of our Pacific neighbours. I urge you not to block, but to support a treaty that is fair to developing countries, ambitious enough to tackle the problem and legally binding. Along with other rich countries, New Zealand must not try to re-negotiate the mandate for the past two years of negotiations at the last minute in a way that is deeply unfair to developing countries.

Avoiding catastrophic climate change is not possible unless all big emitters commit to ambitious action, however, industrialised countries must take the lead. Emerging economies will quickly follow and are in fact already taking action to reduce their own emissions. New Zealand needs to commit to a more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target of at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and to make these reductions at home rather than paying poor countries to do our fair share.

It is the responsibility of rich countries, which have caused the climate crisis, to financially support poor countries, which are least to blame but suffering first and worst from the effects. New Zealand’s pledge at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting last month to the Fast Start fund is a very modest first step. However, it is completely inadequate in dealing with the need. New Zealand must commit to long-term climate financing for poor countries. They need stronger sea walls, they need cyclone-proof shelters, they need drought-resistant crops and they need them now.

This is not the time to ignore the voices of the most vulnerable countries. It is not a matter of aid – it is a matter of fulfilling our responsibility.

Yours in hope,
<Your name will be added here>

This action has now been closed. Thanks to all who sent an email to Andrew Fraser, Managing Director of Cadbury congratulating them on switching their Dairy Milk bar to Fairtrade cocoa and calling on them to switch to Fairtrade ingredients for all of their chocolate.

A total of 512 emails were sent using the e-action on our website, but we also asked people to email feedback@cadbury.co.nz directly so the total number of emails sent was likely much higher.

Some of the promotional and explanatory text for this e-action is retained for archive purposes.

Dear fan of Oxfam New Zealand

You may have heard in the news that Cadbury New Zealand has announced plans to purchase Fairtrade cocoa from farmers in Ghana for all Dairy Milk chocolate bars by Easter next year. This is a major win for Fairtrade supporters and will make a real difference to the lives of cocoa farmers in Ghana. These farmers will receive a fair price for their produce, and sufficient income to support their families and communities.

The significance of this decision is really highlighted when you consider the fact that Cadbury’s switch to Fairtrade will triple the quantity of Fairtrade products available in New Zealand, and will mean that Fairtrade chocolate will be available in almost every supermarket and dairy across New Zealand. We’re certainly going to have a lot of work on our plates at Oxfam updating our Where to Buy Fairtrade list!

Consumer power

Cadbury’s decision demonstrates the difference consumers can make when they stand up for what they believe in. It is a real tribute to people like you who support the Fairtrade campaign and have been pushing for change with your consumer decisions and your voice.

Cadbury have at this stage only committed to sourcing Fairtrade ingredients for their Dairy Milk chocolate bars. Now is the perfect time to contact them and congratulate them on their decision, and encourage them to use only Fairtrade ingredients for all of their chocolate.

It is also the perfect time to put pressure on their major New Zealand competitor Whittakers, and encourage them to follow suit by switching to Fairtrade.

The more we ask for Fairtrade products, the more manufacturers, supermarkets and cafes will have to listen.

Write to Cadbury

Email Cadbury congratulating them on switching to Fairtrade cocoa for their Dairy Milk chocolate bars. It is always great to give people positive encouragement, so make the email positive in tone, but also encourage them to switch their entire line to Fairtrade.

Email: feedback@cadbury.co.nz and address to Andrew Fraser (Managing Director)

We have included below example emails. You’re welcome to copy this text, but you’ll have more impact if you write your email in your own words and make it personal.

Please copy us into the email (campaigns@oxfam.org.nz) so that we can track how many are sent, and please let us know what response you get.

Example email to Cadbury

Dear Andrew Fraser,

I am a supporter of Fairtrade and would like to congratulate Cadbury on committing to switch to Fairtrade cocoa for all of your Dairy Milk chocolate bars. This is a significant development for cocoa farmers in Ghana who will receive a fair price for their produce and sufficient income to support their families and communities.

It is great to see Cadbury leading the way on this amongst major chocolate manufacturers in New Zealand. It is fantastic to think that from Easter next year I will able to purchase fairly traded chocolate wherever I shop.

Switching to Fairtrade cocoa for your Dairy Milk bars is a great first step, but I encourage you to go even further than this. If Cadbury is committed to Fairtrade, you should demonstrate this commitment by sourcing all of your ingredients for all of your chocolate from Fairtrade sources where available.

Wouldn’t it be incredible if you could say that your entire chocolate range was guaranteed slave free, and that the farmers were earning a decent living from their hard work!

Congratulations again on this significant move.

Yours sincerely,

This action has now been closed. Thanks to all who emailed Brian and Andrew Whittaker urging them to switch to Fairtrade. A total of 358 emails were sent using our e-action form but we also asked supporters to email reception@whittakers.co.nz directly so the number of emails sent was likely much higher.

We like to think that pressure from Oxfam supporters like you helped to convince Whittaker’s to switch their Creamy Milk bar to Fairtrade.

Some of the explanatory and promotional text and the text of the email that was sent is included here for archive purposes.

Dear fan of Oxfam New Zealand

You may have heard in the news that Cadbury New Zealand has announced plans to purchase Fairtrade cocoa from farmers in Ghana for all Dairy Milk chocolate bars by Easter next year. This is a major win for Fairtrade supporters and will make a real difference to the lives of cocoa farmers in Ghana. These farmers will receive a fair price for their produce, and sufficient income to support their families and communities.

The significance of this decision is really highlighted when you consider the fact that Cadbury’s switch to Fairtrade will triple the quantity of Fairtrade products available in New Zealand, and will mean that Fairtrade chocolate will be available in almost every supermarket and dairy across New Zealand. We’re certainly going to have a lot of work on our plates at Oxfam updating our Where to Buy Fairtrade list!

Consumer power

Cadbury’s decision demonstrates the difference consumers can make when they stand up for what they believe in. It is a real tribute to people like you who support the Fairtrade campaign and have been pushing for change with your consumer decisions and your voice.

Cadbury have at this stage only committed to sourcing Fairtrade ingredients for their Dairy Milk chocolate bars. Now is the perfect time to contact them and congratulate them on their decision, and encourage them to use only Fairtrade ingredients for all of their chocolate.

It is also the perfect time to put pressure on their major New Zealand competitor Whittakers, and encourage them to follow suit by switching to Fairtrade.

The more we ask for Fairtrade products, the more manufacturers, supermarkets and cafes will have to listen.

Write to Whittakers

Please email Whittakers encouraging them to follow suit. You may want to talk in this email about how you only purchase Fairtrade chocolate, and are telling your friends/family to do the same.

Email: reception@whittakers.co.nz and address to Brian and Andrew Whittaker

We have included below example emails. You’re welcome to copy this text, but you’ll have more impact if you write your email in your own words and make it personal.

Please copy us into the email (campaigns@oxfam.org.nz) so that we can track how many are sent, and please let us know what response you get.

Example email to Whittakers

Dear Brian and Andrew Whittaker,

I am a supporter of Fairtrade and was very pleased to hear Cadbury’s recent announcement that they’re switching to Fairtrade cocoa for all of their Dairy Milk chocolate bars. This is a significant development for cocoa farmers in Ghana who will receive a fair price for their produce and sufficient income to support their families and communities.

I would like to see Whittakers following Cadbury’s lead. I enjoy the taste of Whittakers chocolate and like the fact that it is produced in New Zealand, but I will not purchase Whittakers until you can guarantee that your ingredients are fairly traded.

In fact, I would like to see Whittakers go even further than Cadbury by committing to source all of the ingredients for all of your chocolate range from Fairtrade sources where available. This would make a real difference to the lives of producers in the developing world.

Yours sincerely,

Thank you for your support! ‘Feel the Heat’ was a campaign that Oxfam ran in the run up to the Copenhagen climate change meeting in December 2009. The petition is now closed, but we have retained the text of this page for archive purposes.

John Key must Feel the Heat

Climate change increases poverty and suffering for millions of the world’s poorest people as they face increasingly unpredictable weather, hunger, disease and displacement. This is a massive injustice because the poorest people are the least responsible for causing climate change and are the least able to cope.

In December 2009, world leaders met at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen to develop a global climate change agreement. These crucial talks may be over, but we’re not done yet. We need to urge our government (and all governments) to make fair and strong decisions in order to ensure that the needs of the world’s poorest people are being met.

By signing the Feel the Heat petition you are calling on New Zealand together with other developed countries to:

• reduce emissions to at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020.
• work within the United Nations to ensure that the needs of the world’s poorest people are at the heart of a new global climate change deal.
• cut our emissions first, fastest and furthest so that global emissions peak by 2015 and fall at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
• provide the money and technology needed, independent of existing aid commitments, to help vulnerable people in poor countries adapt to changing climates.