Recently I have been fortunate enough to assist Councils with their climate change planning.
My interest and concern keep growing as we look to respond to this challenge through leadership, adaptation and mitigation strategies.
It is a struggle to balance today with a focus on the future on those who live on the planet after we have passed.
I see some exploiting resources and polluting the world like there’s no tomorrow, while others protest like there’s no tomorrow.
At the same time, my knowledge in Te Reo and Māoritanga is also growing. I have realised despite a slow start I’m not too old to learn!
He aha te mea nui o te ao.
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is people, it is people, it is people.
It’s taken me some time to reconcile the challenge of climate change and this proverb in my mind.
How can we say it is people that is the most important – by using the resources of the planet to provide for each day’s needs and leaving the planet in a worse state for those who follow after us?
Surely not.
To me its about guardianship and stewardship:
We respect those who came before us, learning from them; we provide for this generation, especially the most vulnerable and we ensure this planet will support those who come after us
Working in the Local Government, the decision making revolves around the four wellbeings:
- Cultural
- Economic
- Environmental
- Social
Perhaps if we apply our stewardship roles to each of these four wellbeings we will make wise decisions in the interests of this generation and those that follow after us.
Please share your thoughts