Dave Ferguson - 6-Mar-2007
- State of the Environment, climate change
- The Environment Agency and the National
Trust joined forces today to do their bit
to combat climate change.
Robert Runcie, Thames Regional Director
of the Environment Agency, and Patrick Begg,
Thames and Solent Regional Director of the
National Trust, planted a tree to offset
carbon emissions.
The tree, which was planted at the National
Trust’s Morden Hall Park in Surrey, was
the first of twelve which were planted to
help offset the carbon footprint of the
Environment Agency’s first “State of the
Environment” Conference in the South East,
which was held last November. More than
150 delegates from a range of backgrounds
attended the conference in Gatwick, which
was based on the Environment Agency’s State
of the Environment report. The annual report
examines the state of the air, land and
water in the South East.
Mr Runcie said: “We welcome the opportunity
to work with the National Trust on such
an important aspect of our State of the
Environment report.
“The Environment Agency’s role is to continue
to improve the natural environment whilst
working with others on the challenges of
climate change and population growth. The
key to this is making sure that the environment
is at the heart of all development.
“But we can all take a look at things we
do every day and take small steps to improve
our own carbon footprint, which is why we
are planting these trees today.”
The tree planted by Mr Runcie and Mr Begg
is a Japanese Rowan (Sorbus discolour),
which has flowers in spring and has bright
red fruit in autumn. It has been planted
in the middle of a bed outside Morden Cottage
over looking a rose garden. Morden Cottage
was the last home of the donor of Morden
Hall Park, Gilliat Hatfield. He was mindful
that the land was being built on and wanted
to preserve the park for the local community.
He also laid out the rose garden, which
was essentially his back garden.
Mr Begg said: "Reducing our environmental
footprint is at the heart of the National
Trust's new strategy, and so we are delighted
to have been able to provide such a symbolic
spot to work in partnership with the Environment
Agency on this vital issue."
Everyone who attended the conference was
asked to give details of how far they had
travelled and which form of transport they
used so that the total carbon footprint
of the conference could be calculated.
The natural environment is one of the South
East’s greatest assets, and the Environment
Agency’s constant monitoring, through the
State of the Environment annual report,
has shown environmental improvements in
many areas. In the last year, we have seen
water quality improve across the region.
We have also seen our most important wildlife
sites improving and otter populations have
increased.
Over the coming years we will have to work
hard to continue to protect and improve
the environment. The threat of climate change
makes this a critical time for the environment,
the economy and society. The plan for more
than half a million new homes across the
region over the next 20 years will put pressure
on the environment, particularly in the
areas of water supply, energy use, waste
production and water treatment. The Environment
Agency is urging decision makers to make
sure that the environment is at the heart
of new development.
