A Damaged Earth but Not a Broken One: A Case for ‘Urgent Optimism’
19 August 2025 - 19 August 2025
5:00–6:00 pm
Region(s): Wellington
Type(s): presentations
Friends of Te Papa, join Dr Dave Lowe as he discusses the latest climate science and its implications, as well as the impact of new technology, for this talk.
Dave was the first person to make continuous measurements of atmospheric CO2 in the mid latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere over fifty years ago, and has watched in horror as levels of the gas in the atmosphere have climbed at an accelerating rate as we burn increasing amounts of fossil fuels. The science is unequivocal – there is no doubt that we are facing a climate emergency, and we need to act immediately to reduce carbon emissions to prevent the onset of dangerous climate change. But there is also a lot of good news coming from motivated NGOs, interest groups and individuals all over the planet. In many cases their work has spanned decades leading to huge improvements in local environments and wellbeing. Sadly, this news is often not deemed ‘newsworthy’ In comparison global climate change is one shocking major story after another that is usually explained in a few gloomy paragraphs with eye catching pictures of disasters.
Dave will impart his qualified message of hope – while emphasising a call to action – including suggestions of what we can do to reduce carbon emissions!
For more information and to get tickets: www.friendsoftepapa.org.nz/event/a-damaged-earth-but-not-a-broken-one-a-case-for-urgent-optimism-with-no-room-for-complacency.
Venue: Te Huinga Centre, Level 3, Te Papa, 55 Cable Street, Wellington.
Resources on climate change
These articles provide knowledge about tackling climate change in the classroom, science and controversy and action for climate change.
Drive it Down! – a context for learning curates resources about the global and urban carbon cycles for younger learners.
This article uses Pōhutukawa (the eldest child of Matariki) as the context for reflection on the pressures we’ve put on te taiao and how this information can guide us to take action. The article Waipunarangi – rains, frosts and climate looks specifically at climate change impacts.
Nature – a context for learning explores the links between te taiao and wellbeing and te ao Māori perspectives and curates resources for learning about and protecting our local environment.
Investigate a Māori insight – māramatanga Māori – regarding our climate and atmosphere.
Planning pathways using conservation resources provides a selection of pathways for educators who want to support students with conservation learning and action.
The recorded PLD webinar Tackling planning in science uses climate change as the context to explore how teachers can plan science topics perceived to be difficult.
Our webinars with Dr Chris Eames, Understanding the basics of climate change and exploring climate change education in secondary schools and primary schools explains key ideas to support teaching and learning.
For more, browse the wide range of resources under our Climate change topic.
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