The Green Party has launched a petition urging the new coalition Government to stop its plan to restart offshore oil and gas exploration.
As part of the National-ACT agreement, the Government plans to repeal the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration which was introduced by the Labour-NZ First-Green Government in 2018.
Green Party co-leader James Shaw said reversing the ban is dangerous and unscientific.
"If anyone needed a basic rule of thumb for dealing with the climate crisis, it would be this: stop burning fossil fuels," Shaw said.
"Burning fossil fuels drives the temperature of the planet ever higher, which increases the frequency and severity of the storms, floods, fires and droughts which are causing so much damage to our homes and communities."
Shaw said the idea that New Zealand's wind and solar need gas to underpin energy security is a "myth being spread by the fossil fuel industry itself".
Before the election, the Green Party committed to re-introducing a ban on new sources of fossil fuels if elected.
Appearing on AM, Shaw said over 80 percent of New Zealanders across the political spectrum strongly believe our Government should be taking more action against climate change.
"You're not going to be able to stop the climate crisis by burning more fossil fuel," Shaw said.
He hopes if people stand with the Greens there will be a chance the new Government will reconsider.
