You might, or might not, be surprised to know that World Environment Day arrived in the sunny Bay on Friday 5th June.

This international day of recognition has been up and running around the world for almost 40 years. It is one of the main ways the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

Many organisations and individuals in the Bay chose to take part in whatever way they could, but I am not sure they shouted loud enough about it. Some companies challenged their staff to travel to and from work more sustainably and lots of people got out and about planting trees. I heard a few people talking about their extra efforts at recycling, sustainable travel and reducing their resource use on this day.

New Zealand prides itself, and sells itself internationally, on its 'clean green image' and we should be showing leadership to the rest of the world. So why did we recently receive the 'Fossil of the Day' award at the United Nations Climate Change Negotiations in Bonn? For dismantling much of our domestic climate change programme such as abandoning a phase out of inefficient light bulbs.

Leon White, from Katikati accepted the award on behalf of New Zealand saying 'New Zealand once claimed to be leaders on tackling climate change, then in the middle of the pack, but its now lagging behind.” Oxfam New Zealand spokesperson Jason Garman says 'to the rest of the world, our clean green image is looking distinctly brown.”

I am certainly glad that all those organisations and individuals who got involved in World Environment Day 2009 did their bit.