Photo: FileA sweeping audit has revealed an environment under attack from virtually every direction – with climate change also now adding to the pressure. "The economy has been built on our environment, our population continues to grow and climate change is amplifying many current pressures." In the background, the rate at which climate change was affecting our environment was unprecedented. In some parts of the country, climate change was manifesting with drier soils, fewer frost days and shifted rain patterns. "The introduction of climate change legislation, establishing an independent climate change commission to guide emissions reductions, and the just transition to a low emissions economy are vital, as the evidence in this report shows," he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 17, 2019 23:37 UTC