4.1.3 the contemporary state of outdoor environments in Australia, with reference to common themes used in the State of the environment reports.

From the study design Key Knowledge: the contemporary state of outdoor environments in Australia, with reference to common themes used in State of the Environment report. Key Skills: evaluate the contemporary state of Australian outdoor environments. Students should be able to identify and describe some of these (or similar) themes as well as link them to environments that they have visited. It is also appropriate that students examine other environments and be able to identify positive and negative aspects of environmental health across Australia.

State of the environment reports A state of the environment report (SOE) is important as it assists humans in monitoring the condition of the environment, which we rely upon for survival. SOE reports help identify threatening processes and modify our relationships to promote sustainable practices.

Government organisations: such as the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Non Government organisations and community groups: such as Landcare, the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Wilderness Society. Universitis and research centres can also contribute. Who conducts them?

Why are they useful? It is considered to be one of the most valuable means of informing policy makers, the public and other interested parties on the status of natural resources and the sustainability of their use. It includes:- • The condition of the environment and information on issues and the trends in the quality of the environment. Allowing the public to access information on environmental quality, promoting awareness. • The causes of environmental changes and how to respond to these changes • What is being done to improve environmental conditions and whether these actions are effective and what more could be done

Drivers of change

What are they? The drivers of change are the factors that contribute to the current and future state of the environment. The three drivers identified in SoE 2011 are climate variability and change, population growth and economic growth. These are broad terms that each contain subsequent ‘pressures’.

Climate variability and change Australia’s average surface temperatures have rapidly increased. The decade between 2000-2009 was the warmest on record. Drying is occurring in Southern areas, rainfall distribution is changing and temperatures are increasing. All themes in SoE are influenced by this.

Population growth The growth of the population places large stress on environments. Higher levels of resource consumption and waste creation occur with increases. Land is lost to settlement to cater for growth.

Economic growth Higher labour productivity gains could increase growth in the Australian economy by 3% per year. As the economy expands, it is likely that resource consumption and waste production will also increase. Increases in industrial practices can have devastating impacts on the environment. E.g. waterway pollution, salinity, greenhouse gas emissions.

Key concept the 8 Soe Themes

This theme discusses ozone, ambient air quality (air that surrounds us) and indoor air quality, the influence of greenhouse gases (particularly those generated by human activities). Atmosphere

Current State (soe 2011) The earth is warming, large step changes in climate may occur We are already seeing changes in Australians variable climate Major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are urgently required, globally Ambient air quality in major urban centers is generally good

Threats (drivers of change) Climate change, population growth and economic development all impact on the state of atmospheric conditions. Society is reliant on the consumption of fossil fuels, threatening to quality of the atmosphere. Motor vehicles, industrial practices and human lifestyles are key threats.

Effectiveness of management Despite the success of the Montreal Protocol in controlling OSD’s (ozone depleting substances), depletion in stratospheric conditions continues. Australia met is OSD targets. GHGs (notably carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) that are not controlled under the Montreal Protocol are expected to significantly affect future stratospheric ozone levels essential.

Outlook (future) As a result of the success of the Montreal Protocol in controlling ODSs, the stratospheric ozone layer is expect to recover to 1980 benchmark levels by around mid-century. Hotter, drier conditions in many parts of the country, together with more extreme weather events (another likely result of climate change) can be expected to increase bushfires and dust storms, leading to short-lived, very high levels of particulate pollution. Motor vehicle technology will be seen as a pivotal player in reducing harming emissions.

SoE reports consider the changes in biodiversity over the past 15 years and those since European settlement. biodiversity

Current State (soe 2011) Biodiversity has declined since European settlement. Data suggests that population size, geographic range and genetic diversity are decreasing in a wide range of species.

Threats (drivers of change) Most pressures on biodiversity that arise from human activities appear to be still strong. Pressures that have decreased such as land clearing continue to have legacy effects that will continue for decades. However other pressures such as invasive species are increasing.

effectiveness of Management Despite promising investment by all jurisdictions, pressures on biodiversity are not being substantially reduced nor is the decline in biodiversity being reversed. All jurisdictions have high goals. However SOE reports do not suggest any great improvement in biodiversity or reduction in pressures.

outlook (future) The major future drivers of change must be carefully managed. Australia CAN improve dramatically, stakeholder engagement and supporting corridors of vegetation are two ways of achieving this (currently being trialled). Data on long-term trends is limited, making it hard to interpret the state or trends of major animal and plant groups.

Coasts are considered the interface between terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments. This theme considers the special features or the interface between ocean and land, the challenges to coasts posed by climate change and management responses to pressures on our coastlines. Coasts

This theme looks at the evolving state of water resources in the world’s driest inhabitable continent, in context of major drought and a period of ambitious water policy reform. inland water

This theme considers the state of our soil and vegetation resources, the pressures they face, and issues and priorities for management. Land

This theme deals with the extent and condition of Australia’s rich Indigenous, natural and cultural heritage, the threats each faces from natural and human processes, and the challenges of management. Heritage

This theme details the condition of the marine environment, the existing impacts of fisheries, oil and gas extraction and coastal development, and the potential impacts of climate change and issues surrounding marine management. Marine Environment

This theme discusses the state of Australia’s cities, towns and considers the impacts of population and economic growth, and climate change on our urban/built environments, and issues of strategic management across jurisdictions in a time of change. built environment

Antarctic environment This theme looks at the global importance and evolving state of the Antarctic environment, the ongoing changes to marine and terrestrial ecosystems resulting from human activity, and the significance of climate change in the region. Antarctic environment