DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (386/08) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 11 December 2008
The twelfth
edition of The environment in your pocket is published today by
Defra. This is an annual publication containing material on
various environmental themes including climate change, air
quality, waste and recycling, land, coastal and marine waters,
radioactivity, wildlife and inland water. The main theme of this
year's publication is climate change and a larger section has
been devoted to topics relating to climate change.
It covers almost 60 key data series and focuses on providing
trends over time, including performance against quantified targets
and commitments set at the national and international level. It
includes several environmental indicators of sustainable development.
Examples of facts and figures reported in the booklet include:
* 2007 was one of the warmest years on record with a mean
Central England temperature 1.05degrees C above the1961-1990 average.
* In 2007 an average of 1,029 mm of rain fell across the UK,
making it 12 per cent wetter than the 1961-1990 average.
* In 2007, 72 per cent of river lengths in England were of good
biological quality and 76 per cent were of good chemical quality.
The Environment in your Pocket 2008 is not just for the pocket
but is also available in a larger version and published online -
linked to more detailed information on the topics it covers - at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/eiyp/index.htm
Notes to editors
1. The 2008 edition is the twelfth annual edition of the booklet
and it presents around 60 of the key data sets from the e-Digest
of Environmental Statistics. It focuses on providing trends over
time, including on performance against quantified targets and
commitments set at the national and international level.
2. As a National Statistics publication, it seeks to be as
objective as possible, presenting a balanced picture. National
Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in
the National Statistics Code of Practice. They are produced free
from any political interference.
3. The e-Digest of Environmental Statistics continues to be
Defra's reference site for environmental data. The e-Digest
can be accessed on the Defra internet site at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/index.htm
4. Details of the Government's indicators of sustainable
development can be accessed on the Sustainable Development website
at: http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/progress/index.htm
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on
our website
http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development