New book of environmental statistics published

Belize has become a regional trailblazer in the compilation of environmental statistical data. The Central Statistical Office has released its second “Compendium 2000”, publication as a guide for local green policy-makers. Statistician Edgar Eck says the manual can be considered an environmental watchdog.

Edgar Eck, Statistician, CSO

“This new publication has been designed in a form that has enough analytical information for the users, of which we are targeting the public in general, so that everyone will be informed of the environment in the country. And it?s also meant to be used by the policy makers.”

“Let’s take for example deforestation in the country. Deforestation is taking place at a very fast rate, so what we’re doing is that we are trying to motivate policy makers to look at our data and put the necessary policies, regulations or laws, control deforestation in the country because if we continue at this rate, in the near future we will without any forest.”

The data covers a large number of environmental concerns in Belize including land use, agriculture, deforestation and climate change along with indicators of sustainable development. Copies of “Compendium 2000”, will soon be available at all bookstores in the country for thirty-five dollars per copy.