Ōtepoti Fossil Free Schools Picnic

Start: Saturday, October 30, 202111:30 AM

End: Saturday, October 30, 2021 1:00 PM

orange graphic with students protesting that reads event location details and Ōtepoti Dunedin Fossil Free Schools Picnic

Come & join us in the Octagon Saturday 30 October, 11:30-1 pm as part of a global climate action event organised by the climate organisation 350.org.

Many Dunedin children attend schools that burn coal. Coal smoke pollutes their air, pollutes kids’ lungs and sends climate destroying carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing the climate crisis.

The government has allocated a small budget to replace some of the coal boilers in schools, but not enough for all. We want enough money in the next budget to convert ALL fossil fuel boilers in Dunedin schools to renewable energy.

Bring your kids! Bring your grandparents, aunties and uncles! Let’s take action together to help protect the future. There’ll be a petition to sign, postcards to send to the PM and Minister of Finance, a banner to paint, games, talks and music.

And a poster competition for 5 - 21 year olds with amazing cash prizes!

Help us tell the government that our kids need clean air when they go to school.


  • Burning coal produces climate-destroying CO2, also mercury, lead, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and other heavy metals.

  • Coal smoke is associated with growth deficit, asthma and other respiratory illness in children.

  • Coal smoke can exacerbate the effects of other illnesses like Covid-19.

  • Most of the coal burned in Dunedin schools comes from New Vale, near Gore, owned by Greenbriar Ltd, a group of Dunedin businessmen. Dunedin businessmen are profiting from polluting our children’s future.

Sponsored by