Chapter 7 - Air • Requiring a discharge permit for all discharges which if uncontrolled, may have adverse effects on human health, amenity values or natural and physical resources; and • Rules, standards and conditions have been developed for activities that: generate dust; produce odour; require the application of agrichemicals; and, produce smoke. Education Provide information to the community on the adverse effects of burning treated timber to the community. Ensure that adequate educational material is available for users of agrichemicals on the prevention and minimisation of adverse effects on non-target plants and animals. Rules are based on environmental effects of discharges of contaminants to air. Education will be used for these matters where environmental effects are minor or the adverse effects are temporary and occur infrequently. For effects on the environment arising from global trends, regulatory approaches applied within the Plan area are unlikely to bring about resolution of the issue, but should prevent further contribution to the related adverse effects. 7.4 Issue The depletion of atmospheric ozone and increase in greenhouse gases caused by discharges to air. Reduction of the global protective ozone layer allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth’s surface. This can have adverse effects on both human health and sensitive ecosystems. In humans this can mean skin cancers and eye damage. It will also affect plant growth, animal health and marine ecosystems. Substances which reduce the ozone layer include a group of chemicals used in aerosols, refrigeration and electronics. The effects of reduced ozone will be highly significant in Marlborough due to the high annual sunshine. Activities such as increased energy use and industrialization have increased atmospheric methane and nitrous oxide concentrations. Altering the concentrations of these greenhouse gases gives rise to the phenomenon known as global warming. The possible consequences of global warming include: • Changes in climatic patterns, including greater frequency of extreme weather events; • Rising sea levels due to thermal expansion of the oceans and melting ice caps; • Damage to ecosystems and increased soil erosion as a result of climatic changes. At present, the extent and magnitude of the effect of global warming is unknown. However, even small alterations in climate may affect social and economic wellbeing as well as the natural environment. 7 - 5