Middle NZ: Tell children the truth about our environment

It's up to all of us to do our part to improve the health of our rivers and waterways. Photo / NZME

OPINION

What's to become of our babies?

Every time I think about what the world will look like in 20 years time my thoughts go to my grandchildren, especially the youngest who was born in March this year.

I know it's highly unlikely that I will be around to see her reach her 20s. I'd like to think the planet will be in good shape for her.

That's why the two reports out this week are quite frankly alarming.

The first was released on World Rivers Day and doesn't bode well for our rivers.

The national report says the majority of monitored rivers in Hawke's Bay are not in good shape with urban waterways the worst followed by rural.

But we already know this don't we?

Hawke's Bay Regional Council has plans to spend millions of dollars to improve the health of our rivers.

However, it's not just up to it. It's up to all of us to do our part even if that is simply not buying anything this Christmas that you know will end up in the landfill within months.

The other report was from the Save the Children Born into Climate Change.

It says that unless there is drastic change these children face living in a world that will see them experiencing 24 times more weather events than those born in 1960.

There were a couple of youngsters on the news on Monday night telling the nation that they want to be informed about what is going on in the world.

They want to be a part of the change.

I think that's an excellent idea. They do need to know how their future might look.

Part of the problem is our ever growing worldwide population.

Linda Hal is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.

You only have to look at our own backyard for that. There's a housing shortage not just in Hawke's Bay but all over the country.

Covid has seen a flood of Kiwis return from overseas — and who can blame them. Add that to the fact that our region is a darn good place to live and you get the picture.

Unfortunately it's resulted in a lot of first home buyers being priced out of the market.
It has also resulted in plans to build hundreds of new homes. Our landscape is about to change forever.

And while there's nothing wrong with progress, the most important thing is to make certain the changing landscape and surrounding areas can cope with an influx of cars, people, water use, rubbish disposal, power use and the general wear and tear any populated area is subject to.

If that's not done then I really do fear for future generations.

So yes, if your children ask or care about the environment tell them things are not in great shape and we have lots of work to do.

Take them to the streams and rivers and show them the rubbish in them or left along banks.

Take them to the beach — not for a lovely day out — but to see what's washed up on the shore.

They are telling us they want to know — let's tell them — they might just come up with a solution.

It will be interesting to see what comes out of the UN Climate Change Conference to be held in Glasgow later this week. No doubt Green Party co-leader James Shaw will let us know.

- Linda Hal is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today