Minister for the Environment Nick Smith was given a wide range of environmental issues to chew on from the about 70 people who attended a National Party Bluegreen Forum at Totara School Hall on Saturday.
The forum, organised by Bluegreen caucus member and Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, also gave people a "soapbox" to air their views on important environmental issues as well as hosting short, punchy addresses by invited speakers.
Dr Smith set the theme for the forum by outlining and defending the reasons behind the Government's emissions trading scheme, which was implemented by legislation passed under urgency by Parliament last week.
It was the biggest issue facing New Zealand in managing and developing its economy, he said.
"The idea all environmental problems will be solved by the Government and the Beehive is not where we are at," he said.
Dr Smith said the Government set in place legislation and national environmental plans, but it was up to communities to be involved.
The issue of climate change and the emissions trading scheme was "diabolically hard" and the science very complicated.
While some of the science may be disputed, there was enough information to show action was needed.
The debate was the best way to encourage people to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr Smith said that was the aim of the emissions trading scheme.
