Press Release 14/03/12

Achieving Sustainability in the Bay of Plenty

Increasing fuel prices, worldwide food shortages, global financial crises, climate change… these current issues have one thing in common: the exploitation of natural resources to fuel economic growth. Following on from the success of last year’s Speakers Forum Economics of a Finite World, Tauranga Environment Centre are holding an evening discussion on how communities in the Bay of Plenty can apply this locally.

This Tuesday, join an interactive and lively discussion on how to implement sustainability measures to boost the local economy and look at some of the successful initiatives already in place. The discussion will be followed by an open forum to address questions from the public.

Guest speakers Rod Oram, international business journalist, Antoine Coffin, Chair of the Ngati Ranginui Treaty Settlement Committee, and Morgan Williams, ex Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment will focus on 3 key areas of discussion: Innovation, Action & Prosperity.

Local guest speaker Antoine Coffin will reflect on the positive outcomes from recent environmental and economic challenges for the region such as the Rena and PSA. Mr Coffin believes that local communities working together to protect the environment is key to a successful sustainable pathway in the future. ‘Since the Rena there has been a greater awareness of both the vulnerability of our coastline, and the local economy dependent on it. We all have a role to play to ensure we maintain this balance’.

As the headline event for Sustainable Backyards month, this year’s Speakers Forum will be facilitated by Paula Thompson, Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor, at the Graham Young Youth Theatre, Tauranga Boys College, Cameron Rd, next Tuesday 20th March at 7pm. Tickets are available for $15 through Ticket Direct, or cash on the night. All proceeds go to the Tauranga Environment Centre Charitable Trust.

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