Environment Policy Principles

Introduction.

United Future and Outdoor Recreation New Zealand recognise and support the principle that people form an integral part of the ecosystem and, therefore, that they have a right to sustainably operate in and utilise the ecosystem. As a consequence, the basic needs and activities of people are the foundation upon which our environmental policy is based.

In our view, people must not be excluded from participating fully in the environment by laws that have an undue emphasis on preservation and the prevention of change. United Future and Outdoor Recreation New Zealand support an environmental policy that embraces and protects the complex inter-relationship between people and the natural environment, and recognises the unique ability of people to deliberately influence and modify the environment by technological means. We acknowledge that the ability to modify and utilise the natural environment brings with it attendant responsibilities that must be understood and accepted, but these responsibilities must be addressed in a balanced commonsense manner. Attempting to somehow isolate people from the natural environment as though they don't have any real right to be there is not, from our viewpoint, the best way forward.

Key principles:

1. Sustainable use.

United Future and Outdoor Recreation New Zealand do not advocate an open-slather approach to environmental management. We understand that if people want to use the environment for outdoor recreation, for simply admiring or of course, as our basic life support system then the environment must be in good health. In other words it must be used in ways that do not cause permanent widespread damage - i.e. in ways that are sustainable.

2. Sharing the environment.

The huge variety of outdoor user groups, ranging from conservationists to recreational groups to tourists to the extreme-sports fraternity must be recognised, fostered and respected. The law must explicitly acknowledge that all outdoor user organisations have equal rights to practice their individual pursuits and promote their own interests. It is important to ensure that the imposition of laws and regulations do not favour one type of group over another - all are to be regarded as equal stakeholders.

3. Decisions to be based on empirical evidence - not ideology.

United Future and Outdoor Recreation New Zealand are "commonsense greens". We believe that when environmental decisions are made, they should be based on robust scientific data - both in terms of identifying a "problem", and in terms of projecting what the actual outcome of a particular policy or remedy might be. We are constantly appalled at the ideologically based, knee-jerk claims that appear to dominate current environmental debate, often with little or no evidence to support them. If the opinions of the current mainstream environmental movement ever hold sway inside parliament, we fear that the environment will become very much a no go zone for humans - and for no good reason. (With all the limits on outdoor pursuits, quality of life, freedom of choice, and economic activity that that would entail).

4. Education is the best tool for protecting the environment.

United Future and Outdoor Recreation New Zealand believe that balanced environmental education programmes in schools, as well as programmes targeting the general public, are a good method for ensuring quality environmental outcomes. If people act in an environmentally friendly manner of their own accord there will be less need for cumbersome red tape and more emphasis on personal responsibility.

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