Climate Change, Waste, and the Price of Progress — with Miriam and Melanie

In this episode, we meet Melanie (Upper Hutt City Council) and Miriam (Hutt City Council)—two individuals whose separate travels around the world opened their eyes to the incredible beauty of our planet—and the urgent need to protect it. From stunning landscapes to life-changing connections with people, their experiences sparked a deep appreciation for the environment and led them to pursue careers in climate and sustainability. Now, working in local government, their focus is on emissions reduction and climate mitigation. As they describe it, climate change is like a sickness—and right now, we’re treating some of the root causes before it becomes harder to manage. Further down the track, it’s about long-term planning and system-level management—like how we manage our fleets, infrastructure, and environmental policies. In this episode, they discuss: ✅ How travel shaped their environmental perspectives ✅ The challenges of waste and landfill space ✅ Why eco-conscious decisions must be backed by policy ✅ What progress really means in a changing world If you’ve ever wondered how individual journeys can lead to meaningful climate work—or how we can all play a role in creating a more sustainable future—this conversation is for you. 🎧 Listen now and hear what climate action looks like at a local level. 📺 Watch the full episode here on YouTube and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories on sustainability and change. 🔔 Subscribe to The Voice of Aroha Channel! 👉 Follow us on social media for more! https://www.facebook.com/voiceofaroha/ https://www.instagram.com/voiceofaroha/ https://www.youtube.com/@voiceofaroha https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceofaroha https://www.linkedin.com/company/voiceofaroha/