Natural England - State of the natural environment in Yorkshire and the Humber: your role in its future

State of the natural environment in Yorkshire and the Humber: your role in its future

The state of the natural environment matters to everyone in Yorkshire and the Humber. It is an essential regional asset that provides the foundations for our economic and social well being. Our Yorkshire and the Humber State of the Natural Environment report demonstrates the value of the natural environment in the region, and describes the role we all have in helping the natural environment to fulfil its potential.

Our Yorkshire and the Humber State of the Natural Environment report is a sister document to Natural England’s national State of the Natural Environment report 2008, which bought together for the first time the evidence we have about the current situation in our natural environment. Our Regional Director, Peter Nottage, has this to say on the report:

“This report shows how the natural environment can make a real difference to all our lives, and addresses issues where the region’s environment needs the support of more than its traditional champions. Some of these issues will be familiar to you – climate change and landscape conservation for instance – but others such as Green Infrastructure, marine conservation, less so. All are pivotal to the region’s success in the future.”

The first part of the report addresses five key themes for the natural environment in Yorkshire and the Humber:

  • Green Infrastructure

  • Climate change adaptation

  • Health and the environment

  • Landscape conservation

  • Marine conservation

The second part sets the state of the region’s natural environment in context, using evidence drawn from Natural England’s recently produced State of the Natural Environment 2008 report.

Five key messages from the report:

  • Historical and current greenhouse gas emissions mean the next 50 years of climate change are already ‘locked-in’, so adaptation is vital.

  • Green Infrastructure development can raise the image, value and investment potential of regeneration and enterprise areas and enable more sustainable and healthy lifestyles.

  • Playing in a natural environment improves children’s social, mental and physical development.

  • Landscapes are dynamic and constantly evolving, and we need to plan and manage this change to ensure that all landscapes in the future can respond to society’s changing needs and values.

  • The marine environment can recover from current unsustainable practices; this will yield environmental, social and economic benefits

How to find out more information

  • You can download a copy of the report above – contact details for each of the key themes can be found inside the back cover.
    If you have difficulty downloading the pdf, please e-mail lyndon.marquis@naturalengland.org.uk

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