Conclusion
Over the last decade there have been significant improvements in river and bathing water quality as well as in the condition of some of our key wildlife sites. In terms of impact on the global atmosphere, more local and regional data is starting to become available and so historical and future trends will become easier to see. We are also starting to see the results of increased drives to reduce, re-use and recycle waste in the region, with a continued reduction in the amount of waste being sent to landfill and the highest recycling rate in England.
However, although much of the region’s environment shows steady improvement, there are still many pressures that remain cause for concern. Our lifestyles and livelihoods depend on reducing these pressures. This requires a balance to be struck between the need for continuing economic development and greater exploitation of natural resources and that of improving and maintaining this region's precious environment.