Key Takeaways
- A climate activist, Mahalski, presented a hand-drawn $50 note to Dunedin District Court as a form of protest against the government’s inaction on climate change.
- The note featured Cabinet minister Shane Jones, a vulture, and the Beehive instead of the traditional images on a New Zealand $50 note.
- Mahalski was fined for trespassing at Dunedin Airport, which he claims is owned by the government and the city council, both of which have declared a climate emergency.
- The activist hopes to raise $1000 by auctioning off the hand-drawn note, with half the proceeds going to victims of violent crime and the other half to the climate movement.
Introduction to the Climate Emergency
The climate crisis is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action. Mahalski, a climate activist, has taken a unique approach to raise awareness about the government’s inaction on climate change. He presented a hand-drawn $50 note to Dunedin District Court, featuring Cabinet minister Shane Jones, a vulture, and the Beehive instead of the traditional images on a New Zealand $50 note. This act of protest was a response to the government’s lack of progress in addressing the climate emergency, despite declaring it a priority in 2018.
The Hand-Drawn Note and Its Significance
The hand-drawn note is a creative expression of Mahalski’s frustration with the government’s inaction on climate change. By replacing the traditional images on the note with those that represent the government’s perceived priorities, Mahalski is highlighting the contradictions in the government’s policies. The note features Shane Jones, who has been criticized for his support of mining, despite previously stating that it would ruin the country and destroy tourism. The vulture and the Beehive on the note are also symbolic of the government’s priorities, which Mahalski believes are misguided. The note has become a powerful symbol of the climate movement, and Mahalski hopes to raise $1000 by auctioning it off on Trade Me.
The Incident at Dunedin Airport
The incident that led to Mahalski’s fine and the creation of the hand-drawn note began at Dunedin Airport, where he was trespassing while wearing a T-shirt and holding a tiny sign. Mahalski claims that he had checked with the information desk and was told that it was okay to be there, but security staff asked him to leave and called the police. He was subsequently trespassed and fined. Mahalski believes that the airport’s response was excessive and highlights the government’s hypocrisy in declaring a climate emergency while cracking down on climate activists.
The Government’s Response to Climate Change
The government’s response to climate change has been criticized by Mahalski and other climate activists. Despite declaring a climate emergency in 2018, the government has been slow to implement policies to reduce emissions and address the crisis. Mahalski believes that the government’s priorities are misguided and that it is more focused on supporting industries that contribute to climate change, such as mining. The government’s lack of action on climate change has led to widespread frustration and anger among climate activists, who are calling for more urgent and effective action to address the crisis.
The Auction of the Hand-Drawn Note
The hand-drawn note will be auctioned off on Trade Me, with half the proceeds going to victims of violent crime and the other half to the climate movement. Mahalski hopes to raise $1000 from the auction and is inspired by American artist J.S.G. Boggs, who was charged with counterfeiting after hand-drawing banknotes and using them. The auction of the note is a creative way to raise awareness and funds for the climate movement, and Mahalski believes that it will help to highlight the government’s inaction on climate change.
Conclusion and Future Plans
Mahalski’s protest and the auction of the hand-drawn note are just the beginning of a larger movement to raise awareness about climate change and push the government to take action. Mahalski does not plan to return to Dunedin Airport, but he expects other activists to continue to protest and raise awareness about the issue. The climate crisis requires immediate attention and action, and Mahalski’s creative protest is a call to action for the government and the public to take the crisis seriously and work towards a more sustainable future.