State of the Environment 2010
1 Introduction to the South West environment evidence base
State of the Environment 2010
Environmental organisations throughout the South West are committed to producing one environmental evidence base that will inform our decision making. It should be taken into account when developing policies and plans for future prosperity.
This evidence base will help us to understand the extent and consequence of environmental pressures in the region. Through the evidence we will be able to monitor whether our actions and activities are making real improvements on the ground; effectively communicate this progress so we influence appropriate, evidence-based decisions. It will also help to inform the debate about how the region can develop a model of growth within environmental limits, develop urban environments that enhance our quality of life and landscapes that can support our species and habitats.
This evidence base supports the development and future monitoring of the South West Environment Network's (SWEN) Environment Priorities. These priorities have been collectively agreed to be the most important outcomes required for making sure our environment provides for our needs, within the overarching vision of One Planet Living. They are
One Planet Living:
Communities, businesses and the public sector recognise and act upon the need to operate within environmental limits, and significantly reduce their ecological footprint
The Natural Environment:
Real progress achieved on ecosystem and biodiversity restoration.
Valued landscapes:
Landscapes become resilient, distinctive and multi -functional.
Inspired people:
We understand and celebrate the benefits of a healthy environment to our quality of life.
The South West Environment Network and the South West Observatory Environment Module will monitor and report on evidence of environmental trends and keep a clear focus on what action is needed in the South West, to deliver the top environment priorities.
The SWEN Priorities 2010 are available on their website: www.swenvo.org.uk/swren
A more comprehensive picture of the state of the South West's environment is held on the South West Observatory Environment Module's website www.swenvo.org.uk.
Eco system services
The SWEN Environmental Priorities and this evidence base are structured around Defra's 'ecosystems services approach'. This approach is widely used as a way in which, the overall health or integrity of ecosystems can be assessed. It is defined as services provided by the natural environment that benefit people. Some of these ecosystem services are well known including food, fuel provision and the cultural services that provide benefits to people through recreation and appreciation of nature (Defra, 2007). Other benefits include:
- Clean air
- Clean & plentiful water
- Productive soils
- Supplies of raw materials - food, fuel, construction materials
- Productive land, rivers and seas
- Climate regulation
- Flood protection
- High quality landscapes
- Heritage and geodiversity
- A natural health service
Investing in the natural environment is investing in an infrastructure that is essential to our health and wellbeing. The natural environment can provide effective solutions to growing problems like flood and coastal defence, carbon emissions and the preservation of soil, water and air quality. However, the vital role the natural world plays in contributing to a thriving economy continues to be undervalued. Investments that destroy or undermine the natural environment risk our future prosperity. The environmental limits and targets we set, should allow ecosystems to be more resilient to change.
Who are we?
This report has been supported by and is endorsed by the South West Environment Network.
The South West Environment Network is an independent network of environmental agencies, organisations and groups in the South West. SWEN aims to make an important contribution to the regional agenda, and to ensure that our most important environmental pressures and priorities are considered in everything that we do.
The SWEN Priorities 2010 are available on the SWEN website: www.swenvo.org.uk/swren
The South West Observatory Environment partnership is a network of organisations committed to providing and improving a single environmental evidence base. Co-ordinated by the Environment, we are responsible for the South West's environmental information gateway, providing a wide range of data and analysis and highlighting the key pressures on our region's environment. We aim to inform regional action through better communication of evidence.
Visit our website www.swenvo.org.uk