Little steps can make a big difference

Making little changes to the way we live today contributes to our long term goal to make Wellington a sustainable region as well as countering global problems such as climate change and environmental degradation, Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Fran Wilde says.

Cr Wilde was commenting on the government’s household sustainability ‘next steps’ challenge launched today at Wellington’s Otari School. The challenge aims to get householders to build practical sustainability actions into their lives.

“Sustainability is one of the most important challenges facing our society. Issues such as increasing energy costs, climate change, water supply, and environmental threats are at the forefront of social and political concerns both in New Zealand and overseas.

“Our success in sustainability will ultimately be measured by more and more people being inspired to make positive changes to their behaviours.

“By taking small steps - whether by conserving water, walking to work or installing energy efficient lighting - we can build a better quality of life for ourselves and for the Wellington region while also influencing the course of global issues.

“There is much that we can do at a local level to be more sustainable. Greater Wellington supports many community groups, schools, businesses and households to take action to improve their local area.

“It is appropriate that the next steps challenge is being launched at a school such as Otari, which has participated in Greater Wellington’s school programmes Take Action for Air and Take Action for Water.

“Through those programmes children at Otari and over 100 other schools have learned how to investigate environmental issues in their local area and take action to solve problems ranging from water quality in streams to reducing the waste they produce in their schools. Their efforts show us that sustainability is achievable, fun and great for our region.”