My name is Ada Scott and I am majoring in Philosophy with a minor in climate change.  For my global experience, I studied abroad in Hamilton, New Zealand. My global theme is public health and my challenge was “How to balance quality of life and climate change action.” 

The relation I see as most prominent between my experience and this challenge is the difference in day to day living between the US and New Zealand. NZ is more secluded than the states. Deliveries take longer, and the grocery stores are smaller and organized more sporadically than in the states. Attendance is never mandatory (everything was available online) and I had no classes before eleven. In Intro to Climate Change (at UM) we talked about the idea of taking a multi hour lunch break that would allow large sections of power to be turned off in populated areas. I think this idea exemplifies how a simplification of our lives can reduce emissions. Kiwis focus on a balanced approach to work with more laid back time than US citizens. I see that New Zealand culture exceeds us in this capacity. I found my education, nutrition and ability to get anything I needed was just as well in a slightly less at-your-fingertips culture. It actually made me enjoy the process of going about my day more. To quote Thich Nat hahn, “if you don’t enjoy every moment of washing the dishes, you should seriously reevaluate your practice.” Of course, he is getting at the bigger picture– if we don’t enjoy day to day tasks like cooking, cleaning, hanging our clothes to dry, or even our commute, maybe we need to change something (maybe we need to slow down).

 Orange bushes between student housing on University of Waikato campus

A question we often face when considering climate is whether our lack of action is a problem of worldview or of material availability. It has factors of both, but I think worldview has a big role to play. Finding happiness with less can play a part in shaping our future communities towards sustainability. Changing our culture to have a little more down time to be present might go strides to impact our day to day lives, and our ability to practice sustainability. It might not be in the drastic dose we need, but it’s obvious to me that a little climate action won’t diminish our quality of life. Our lives will just look a little different. 

Balloons taking off as part of the “Balloons over Waikato” event

Even as I consider the ways that New Zealand life may be more sustainable (compost bin pickup everywhere, no one uses a clothes dryer), the country still falls short on their climate action timeline. It may be obvious that a small amount of climate consciousness won’t diminish quality of life–  but where do we need to be to meet reasonable goals for our future? It’s not probable individual actions make a difference at all so is changing our practices even a place to start? And, how can we take knowledge from a variety of countries and different cultures to approach the issue together? 

Climate change is a multifaceted issue that can be approached from so many angles. I think I have a slightly better perspective on my theme and challenge, but comparing New Zealand and US culture goes little ways to comprehend the issue in its entirety. However, this experience has made me more confident in my ability to travel by myself and handle issues as I come to them. I think that these acquired skills will go a long way to exploring more and gaining further perspective.

Climbing near Kawakawa Bay