Climate change and youth issues dominate Ardern's meeting with Obama

March 23, 2018

  Climate change and youth issues dominate Ardern's meeting with Obama

Engaging youth in climate action was a key focus of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s meeting with Barack Obama, but some environment groups want more action.

Following a pōwhiri welcoming President Obama to Auckland’s Government House, the pair met to discuss a range of international issues.

While specific New Zealand youth initiatives were not addressed by the President, Ms Ardern said the conversation took a “future focus approach.”

“We talked about pressing issues like climate change,” said Ms Ardern, with Mr Obama motivated by the need to “ensure that future generations certainly just don’t observe” the fight against it.

David Tong, from World Wildlife Fund New Zealand, said with climate change being a strong feature of her meeting with the President, Ardern was indicating her focus on the issue.

“There are several indicators, including the priority given in the conversation between the Prime Minister and the former President, that climate change is a significant part of this Government’s legislative agenda,” said Mr Tong.

However, while Ms Ardern was taking significant steps forward, such as with her government’s commitment to passing the zero-carbon act, Mr Tong said it was still uncertain if this would add up to true climate action policy.

“We are still seeing signs that this climate policy isn’t entirely joined up,” said Mr Tong, believing “historically, governments including our own, have given with one hand as they have taken away with another.”

Niamh O’Flynn, from 350 Aotearoa, an organisation encouraging people to fight climate change, agreed and said the government “absolutely have the mandate to take a strong stance on climate change.”

Ms O’Flynn said when Ardern decides about the future of fossil fuel extraction in New Zealand, “then we will know if the rhetoric stacks up.”

The Prime Minister and President Obama agreed social media meant there was less face-to-face communication in young political movements, something there was a need to bring back to combat large international issues.

Ms Ardern said Mr Obama wanted “to make sure we were engaging young people” in action and noted the “hope he has based on what he knows of this generation.”

Youth leadership has been a key focus for the President, whose foundation launched several programmes aimed at getting young people into civic life.

While in Aotearoa, Mr Obama met with Wāhine Toa, a small group of influential Māori women hoping to inspire young women into leadership roles.

Ms Ardern said the former President was “exactly as you see through the lens or on the screen,” and had mentioned the pōwhiri as a highlight of his trip to New Zealand.

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