On June 5, World Environment Day, hundreds of people “froze” across New Zealand, together at 1pm in public places people stopped moving and became human statues “stopping and standing for united action on climate change.” the flashmob type action was was led by “Mr Freeze” who is only known to the public through his page on Facebook. Mr Freeze expressed his enthusiasm for the day by stating “I’m melting with joy.” Adding that;

It takes courage to freeze in a public place. Freezing on your own is freaky. Freezing with five people is sneaky. Freezing with lots of people is easy. It’s the same with action on climate change. It’s much easier for us to play our part, and it’s a lot more effective, when we come together.

At the same time as this creative action however many people in New Zealand were freezing in a more literal sense. New Zealand death rates soar in the winter months and the Herald is reporting that researchers believe cold, damp and poorly maintained homes are at least partly to blame. Otago University researchers analysed deaths over a 20-year period and found 1600 more people died during the four winter months, putting New Zealand’s winter death rate amoung the highest in the developed world. This study found that Infants and elderly people accounted for many of those deaths, and almost 10 percent more women died than men. “Excess winter mortality is a huge problem,” said researcher Michael Baker.

A government scheme to insulate homes has been introduced but demand is so high that many people will not get insulation this winter. Thirty-three companies are approved to install insulation but are already booked up. New companies will be not be approved until September, just in time for the spring.