Paula Thompson BOP Regional Councillor www.envbop.govt.nz

Recently I listened to the newly appointed head of Greenpeace here in New Zealand protest deep sea oil exploration and promote the launch of the Rainbow Warrior 111.

Interesting to hear a man of his standing and commitment talk about the global brand that New Zealand has as a clean green land and how our economic future could be enhanced by greater investment in renewable technology and exportable intellectual property in engineering capability around our natural resources of geothermal power et al.

It was sobering to hear him talk of the indisputable link between environmental destruction and the ravages of rampant poverty – huge lakes and waterways shrinking and desserts expanding – all at frighteningly rapid rates causing water and land scarcity and therefore conflict, poverty and death for thousands.

I'm not sure about you, but I just shudder when I hear about the millions starving right now in Ethiopia. And I just don't know what to do. It just seems so hard.

You simply cannot listen to a man like this and not be inspired – imprisoned for his beliefs – now feted by the huge global business brands because it's better for business to have Greenpeace on side rather than to be a part of their menu.

It almost seems incomprehensible that there should be any argument over the need to provide environmental justice, which means enabling those stricken with poverty the opportunity for some sense of hope beyond the present without further irreversible destruction of the planets resources. Billons of people don't have access to a light bulb, but the challenge is how, in a seriously wounded world, can such access be provided without further horrific cost to the natural resources? How do we produce that much more energy in a sustainable way? If the Earth's current population were to have the lifestyles of the elite developed nations then according to some, we would need five more planets. The global financial crisis has provided us with an opportunity to see what unbridled greed can do – the voices of Greenpeace and all those who are committed to environmental justice are hoping that enough of us will get their messages, which are pretty much the same. We need to stop and stare awhile and understand that the issues of sustainability are very real.

Yes – we have our own real and big issues in New Zealand: poverty, abuse, unemployment et al, but so far, by the skin of our teeth, I sometimes think we still have a beautiful environment – yes, with huge challenges, but the biggest challenge of all is for the vast majority of us to feel that we are blessed and feel moved to do what we can to respect, protect and preserve what we have.

I think we have a duty, not just to those that will follow us in this country, but to those around the globe, who will never ever have a chance for even one day to see the beauty and natural bounty that we have.

Environment BOP may have changed its name to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, but the essence of its being is to protect, preserve and enhance our natural resources.

If we can find the recipe for doing all that whilst also enabling economic and social progress to be made, then we will truly be an enviable global brand.