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Environmental Rights and Responsibilities

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Environmental Rights and Responsibilities

You are helping Manaia, Keira and Sione prepare a school radio segment about a proposed activity beside a local estuary. Read the briefing, then use evidence and ecological thinking to answer the questions. Environmental rights and responsibilities are linked: decisions should protect people and ecosystems, now and in the future.

Briefing: A proposal beside the estuary

A company has applied to build a small boat-repair yard beside a tidal estuary. The site is near a stream that flows into the estuary. The proposal includes a sealed work area, a rainwater collection tank and a sediment filter. Residents are concerned that fuel, paint or sediment could enter the water. The estuary supports shellfish, fish and wading birds, and is used by people for recreation and food gathering. The council is asking for public feedback before deciding. In Aotearoa New Zealand, kaitiakitanga describes guardianship and care for the environment; tangata whenua hold important knowledge and responsibilities connected with their rohe. Consider whose knowledge should be heard and how effects could be monitored.

Investigate the decision

Use the briefing and your science knowledge. Give reasons, not just opinions.

1.Which statement best describes an environmental right relevant to the estuary proposal?

People should have access to a healthy environment, including safe water and opportunities to connect with nature.
Everyone may use any natural resource without limits.
Only property owners have an interest in environmental quality.
Wildlife matters only when it provides a direct benefit to people.

2.Name two possible pathways by which the repair yard could affect the estuary ecosystem. For each pathway, state one possible ecological effect.

3.The proposal includes a sealed work area, a rainwater tank and a sediment filter. Explain how two of these measures could reduce environmental risk, and give one limitation that should still be checked.

4.Match each environmental right to the responsibility that most directly helps support it.

Clean water
Healthy habitats and wildlife
A meaningful voice in environmental decisions
Enjoyment of natural spaces

Share information openly and include affected communities
Prevent spills and manage wastewater safely
Reduce litter, disturbance and pollution
Avoid damaging sensitive areas and restore them where needed

5.True or false? If a project creates jobs, possible effects on water quality and wildlife no longer need to be considered. Correct the statement if it is false.

TrueFalse

6.The radio team wants to know whether water quality changes after construction. Suggest one measurable indicator and a fair way to collect evidence over time.

7.In this case, what does kaitiakitanga involve? Give one practical example and explain why tangata whenua knowledge and perspectives should be included in the decision.

8.Fill in the blank: A decision is more sustainable when it considers the needs of people living in the .

9.Fill in the blank: A sustainable decision should avoid harm that cannot be .

10.Manaia says, “The filter means the project has no environmental risk.” Write a brief response for the radio segment that evaluates this claim using evidence from the briefing. Include one question the council should ask the applicant.

11.Draft a two-sentence recommendation for the council. State whether you would support, oppose or request changes to the proposal, and give two conditions or actions that would help protect environmental rights and ecological health.

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Environmental Rights and Responsibilities

Environmental Rights and Responsibilities

Briefing: A proposal beside the estuary

Investigate the decision

3 printable pages

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

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