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Dunedin Funeral at Octagon

Mock funerals were held by youth climate change movement Generation Zero in Wellington and Dunedin today to stimulate pre-election debate around what the group calls unsustainable climate change policies.

The funerals were for a figure dubbed “Business As Usual” who Generation Zero spokesperson Louis Chambers says is symbolic of the dominant political attitude in New Zealand and a failure to face up to reality.

“There are some bright spots, but many politicians only talk the talk. When push comes to shove, it’s been business as usual,” he said.

Participants were solemnly dressed, wearing veils and dark attire and carrying flowers.

“It’s only a mock funeral, of course, but we’re deadly serious with our message: a business as usual approach is not an option anymore to deliver a good future for today’s young people,” said Chambers.

Generation Zero is a collective of young people angry at a lack of action on climate change and committed to making parties’ policies on climate change a key criteria when they are voting this election.

In Dunedin, around 60 youth walked down the city’s main street holding a coffin and handing out flyers. They were led by Director of Energy Studies at Otago University, Associate Professor Dr Bob Lloyd.
“Business As Usual worked for many of us, while there was plenty of oil and other energy resources, and when the world atmosphere could safely cope,” said Lloyd. “He has now, however, left us a serious lesson.”
No doubt a few tears were shed on Lambton Quay in Wellington at the sight of Business As Usual being carried past in a coffin.

However, Paul Young, the event’s Wellington co-ordinator said: “We are confident there are new business models to replace Business As Usual and we think this election is a chance to demonstrate that. We want everyone to help New Zealand move past business as usual by making climate change a priority when they vote.”

Coinciding with the protest was the release of a satirical newspaper focused on politics and climate issues.  In Auckland and Wellington, the New Zealand Heckle and the Dominion Roast were handed out across the cities, and the “Oddity” is available in locations throughout Dunedin.

One article calls for compulsory eye-sight testing for politicians “incapable of seeing the challenges right in front of their noses”.

The events attracted attention from passers-by, who stopped to chat to the funeral-goers, pick up flyers and read the special edition Generation Zero newspaper.

The newspaper listed Business As Usual’s cause of death as “fossil fuel addiction”.

It says: “Evidence suggests Business As Usual suffered cardiac arrest after overdosing on a toxic cocktail of fossil fuels, inequality and debt.”

Today’s mock funerals are part of a series of events Generation Zero is holding to mobilise youth in the run-up to the elections. Talks and debates held so far have attracted crowds of up to 500 people and the group has a growing base of young people who are “voting for the climate” this election.

Tags: generation zero, Youth