Media release: 31
January 2008
A comprehensive state of the environment
report released today provides the basis
for future action on the environment, says
Environment Secretary Hugh Logan.
Environment New Zealand
2007 presents a thorough snapshot of the
health of our environment and will help
inform and prioritise decisions that will
lead to a sustainable New Zealand, Mr Logan
said.
The 450-page report
is the country’s second state of the environment
report, but quantifies a range of key indicators
in a way that the first report issued a
decade ago did not.
“The environment means
much more to us than just iconic landscapes.
As this report shows, a sustainable environment
is also vital to our social and economic
well-being and our standard of living,”
Mr Logan said.
The report confirms
that while we have an enviable environment
compared to many countries, some trends
are going in the wrong direction.
“The report shows that
key pressures on our environment are growing
as our population increases, our economy
grows and evolves, and our lifestyles change,”
says Hugh Logan.
“Our everyday activities
and choices – both past and present - have
put pressures on our soil, water and air
and other natural resources.”
“This report isn’t just
for policy makers and environmentalists.
It will be used to make decisions - by both
central and local government, businesses,
iwi, communities and families - which will
lead to a sustainable New Zealand.
The Environment Ministry
will use the findings to engage with key
sectors and interest groups about where
we go from here.
“Most of all, the report
highlights the need to continue to protect
and reinforce New Zealand’s environmental
standing and our clean green reputation,”
say Hugh Logan. This report will form an
important basis for improving those areas
which the report shows need attention.”
