One Easy Way a Country Can Encourage Citizens to Take Planet-saving Steps

New Zealand's Ministry for the Environment has a pretty good list of what you can do for the environment.

After the conservatives won the last New Zealand election, there’s been some grumbling that the country is abandoning responsible environmental management. Labour and the Greens are no longer in government; the new ruling coalition is a threesome among National, ACT, and New Zealand First. The new government wasted no time to cancel fossil fuel tax hikes, stop work on the Auckland Light Rail and Lake Onslow pumped hydro projects, and repeal the Clean Car Discount as part of its 100-day plan after gaining power. But with the Greens still being the third largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives, protecting the environment hasn’t completely fallen off the priority list. As a visitor from another country, New Zealand’s environmental policies still seem reasonably pro-environment to me, although I certainly understand there’s always more that could be done.

In a country full of scenery like this, it’s not hard to understand why protecting the environment is a public priority for Aotearoa. Photo by Hadley Horch

A delightful thing about being in New Zealand is the manageable scale of the country. There are only about five million Kiwis, three million less than the population of New York City. Maybe the fact that there are just not that many people here makes the environment more prominent in daily life, and the government seems friendly and down to earth. Whatever the reason, the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment publishes a very nice “What you can do” list of practical, planet-saving steps that I’d like to share in this dispatch from New Zealand.

There’s a lot you can do wherever you are to help support the environment.
—New Zealand Ministry for the Environment | Manatū Mō Te Taiao

21 Actions

Courtesy of the Ministry for the Environment on behalf of the Crown, here are twenty-one sensible ways to protect our environment, wherever you are on Earth:

1. Use cleaner forms of home heating.
   The problem: Keeping homes warm by burning wood, coal, gas, and diesel releases air pollutants.
   What you can do: 1) Use cleaner home heating appliances like heat pumps, pellet burners, and ultra-low emission burners. 2) Burn dry, seasoned, and non-treated wood. 3) Check with your local government to see if they offer grants or low-interest loans to buy cleaner home heating appliances.

2. Take part in a beach cleanup.
   The problem: Rubbish pollutes our coastlines and enters our marine ecosystems. Picking up rubbish is an easy way to reduce pollution on our beaches and in our oceans.
   What you can do: 1) Invite your friends, whanau, or workplace to take part in a beach clean-up. 2) Join an existing group. Check the Love your coast, Sustainable Coastlines and Sea Cleaners websites for groups you can join. [These are New Zealand-specific groups, but similar beach-cleaning groups operate around the world.] 3) Help New Zealand scientists learn about litter that washes up on our coasts by joining the Litter Intelligence programme. [A US-based version of this is the Marine Debris Tracker.]

3. Take care of a local stream.
   The problem: Rubbish and sediment pollution from a stream or river can wash into the ocean. This is harmful to our marine species and habitats.
   What you can do: 1) Pick up rubbish near streams so it does not flow out to sea. 2) Plant trees near streams. This helps hold streams and riverbeds together and stops soil being washed away. 3) Get together with a local group like the Million Metres Stream Project to take care of a stream.

4. Shop smarter.
   The problem: Packaging, single-use items, and disposable products create waste and impact our environment.
   What you can do: 1) Buy only what you need. 2) Buy reusable items like beeswax wraps, drink bottles, and straws. 3) Buy recycled items.

5. Shop at your local fruit and vegetable market.
   The problem: Help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport by using local ingredients. When you buy local food or products you are also helping your local economy.
   What you can do: 1) Plant your own vegetables and fruit trees. 2) Buy local and in-season food. 3) Shop at your local farmers' market.

6. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
   The problem: Waste pollutes our land, waterways and marine environment. It also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
   What you can do: 1) Reduce your plastic use and avoid single-use plastics. 2) Use reusable items like beeswax wraps, drink bottles, and straws. [There are a lot of beehives in New Zealand.] 3) Recycle correctly by rinsing your items and following your local council’s recycling rules.

7. Reduce your electricity use.
   The problem: Greenhouse gas emissions are produced when we use electricity and gas. New Zealand has a high level of renewable electricity production, but this is still supplemented by burning fossil fuels.
   What you can do: 1) Switch off lights when you’re not using them. 2) Use LED lightbulbs. 3) Unplug electronics from the wall socket when they’re not in use. [I’ve found that in most New Zealand homes, wall sockets have switches on them. So you can just turn off the outlet rather than unplug.]

8. Reduce water use in the kitchen.
   The problem: Freshwater is a limited resource. It also takes a lot of energy to transport and clean. This produces greenhouse gases which are bad for the environment.
   What you can do: 1) Run the dishwasher or washing machine only when it's full. 2) Choose water-efficient appliances. 3) Use smaller pots and pans.

9. Reduce water use in the garden.
   The problem: See above.
   What you can do: 1) Water your garden at night to reduce evaporation. 2) Install a rainwater tank or consider a grey water system for your home. [These are incredibly common throughout New Zealand.] 3) Replace lawns with native plants.

10. Reduce water use in the bathroom.
    The problem: See above.
    What you can do: 1) Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. 2) Take shorter showers. 3) Use the half-flush on your toilet. [Most toilets in New Zealand and Australia are dual flush—one button for a half flush, the other button for a full flush.]

11. Reduce transport emissions.
    The problem: Emissions from transport affect air quality and contribute to climate change.
    What you can do: 1) Walk, cycle, or take public transport wherever possible. 2) Consider buying an electric car. 3) Reduce the number of flights you take or pay to offset your emissions.

12. Reduce pollution in our stormwater drains flowing out to our ocean.
    The problem: Stormwater drains and their contents flow out to the ocean. Pollutants like car wash, detergents, and household wastewater can enter our stormwater drains. This can harm aquatic life.
    What you can do: 1) Avoid washing your car on the driveway with chemicals, go to the carwash, or wash your car on your lawn instead. 2) Dispose of chemicals like paint and solvents responsibly. 3) Use environmentally friendly household detergents.

13. Reduce outdoor burning.
    The problem: Outdoor burning of waste in your backyard contributes to air pollution.
    What you can do: 1) Don’t burn waste in your backyard, especially plastic, treated timber, and toxic waste. 2) Report smoke and pollution from fire to your local council. 3) Ask your local council for permission before lighting an outdoor fire.

14. Prevent waste at home.
    The problem: Waste pollutes our land, fresh waterways, and marine environment. It also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
    What you can do: 1) Buy items with as little packaging as possible. 2) Think twice before you buy new. 3) Turn your food waste into compost.

15. Prevent the spread of freshwater pests.
    The problem: Freshwater pests can be spread by your activities in and around waterways. These pests harm our freshwater species and habitats.
    What you can do: 1) Check, clean, and dry your equipment (e.g., wetsuits, kayaks, fishing gear, etc.) after use. It is a legal requirement in the South Island to clean all your gear before using it in another waterway. 2) Once your gear is completely dry to touch, inside and out, leave it to dry for at least 48 hours before you use it. 3) Don’t wash plant material down the drain. This will stop the spread of freshwater pests to other waterways.

16. Plant trees.
    The problem: Greenhouse gas emissions are affecting our climate. [I’d also point out that pasture and exotic tree plantations are crowding out native forests in New Zealand.]
    What you can do: 1) Plant native trees on your property. 2) Get involved in a community planting programme. 3) Donate to tree planting projects.

17. Know your area and be prepared.
    The problem: Climate change will affect how we live and increase the likelihood of natural disasters.
    What you can do: 1) Know how climate change could affect your area and where you live. 2) If you live close to the coast, consider the impact of future sea level rise. 3) Prepare for emergencies like flooding and storms.

18. Host a low-waste BBQ.
    The problem: BBQs produce unnecessary waste that ends up in our landfills.
    What you can do: 1) Use reusable cutlery and crockery. 2) Place a recycling bin [and compost pail] center stage to make it easy for guests to use. 3) Use glass or reusable plastic jugs for drinks.

19. Eat sustainably caught seafood.
    The problem: Overfishing and the way we fish can deplete fish stocks, kill other marine species, and damage our marine environment. Eating sustainably caught seafood can help reduce the damage we do to our marine environment.
    What you can do: 1) Download a sustainable seafood guide to see what types of seafood you can eat sustainably. 2) Buy seafood locally. 3) Check information on seafood company websites and product labels to avoid fish caught using methods like bottom trawling, which can cause damage to the seafloor.

20. Eat less red meat.
    The problem: Red meat production produces significantly more greenhouse gas emissions than the production of chicken meat, fruit, vegetables, and cereals.
    What you can do: 1) Reduce how much red meat you eat. 2) Eat more fruit and vegetables. 3) Try having a meatless day each week.

21. Be fussy with what you flush.
    The problem: Flushing items like tampons, wet wipes, and medicine or putting fat, oil, or grease down the drain can block our wastewater system. The overflow can run into our waterways and harm aquatic life.
    What you can do: 1) Only flush the three Ps: pee, poo, and paper (toilet). 2) Put rubbish in the bin, not down the drain. 3) Never flush wet wipes down the toilet.

Dispatches from New Zealand

Every other week, we share a dispatch from New Zealand showcasing interesting sustainable practices that differ from those in North America. In the alternate week, we continue to publish our series of practical action guides.

Last year, we explored the pathway to sustainable movement, energy, and goods. For the next few weeks, we’re exploring the pathway to sustainable food. From the standard American diet to a healthier plant-centered diet and from industrial farming to regenerative agriculture, stay with us on the journey to sustainability.