Environmental Issues in Australia By Leah Burns

Readings and Resources Markus, N On Our Watch: The Race to Save Australia’s Environment. Carlton: Melbourne University Press. Markus, N On Our Watch: The Race to Save Australia’s Environment. Carlton: Melbourne University Press. The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts: The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts: Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australia's Environment: Issues and Trends, Jan 2010 Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australia's Environment: Issues and Trends, Jan 2010

Overview The Australian Environment The Australian Environment Threats to the Environment Threats to the Environment Consequences of those Threats Consequences of those Threats Exercise Exercise Ways of protecting the Environment Ways of protecting the Environment Multiple Choice Questions Multiple Choice Questions Plan for tomorrow Plan for tomorrow

The Australian Environment Very large continent: 7.6 million km 2 Very large continent: 7.6 million km 2 Diverse environment Diverse environment Endemic flora and fauna Endemic flora and fauna 85% flowering plants, 84% mammals, 45% birds, and 89% fish 85% flowering plants, 84% mammals, 45% birds, and 89% fish Australia has the greatest number of reptiles of any country: Australia has the greatest number of reptiles of any country: 755 species 755 species Driest habitable continent on earth Driest habitable continent on earth

Australian Fauna

MonotremesEchidna - egg laying mammals

Threats to the Environment

Climate Change What is climate change? What is climate change? “long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and rainfall” ( change.aspx) Since the beginning of the 20 th Century, Australia has an increase of 0.8 degrees C in average temperatures Since the beginning of the 20 th Century, Australia has an increase of 0.8 degrees C in average temperatures The Kyoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol Australia's carbon dioxide emissions per capita are among the highest in the world Australia's carbon dioxide emissions per capita are among the highest in the world

Land Clearing Farming Farming Agriculture Agriculture The major use of land in Australia – 60% or 454 million hectares The major use of land in Australia – 60% or 454 million hectares Livestock (cattle and sheep) Livestock (cattle and sheep) Mining Mining 0.02% of the land 0.02% of the land Logging Logging Urbanisation Urbanisation Over 80% of Australians live in urban centres within 50km of the coast and these areas make up only about 1% of the total land mass of Australia. Over 80% of Australians live in urban centres within 50km of the coast and these areas make up only about 1% of the total land mass of Australia.

Drought Water use Water use ¾ water used by agricultural and pastoral sectors (Markus 2009:21) ¾ water used by agricultural and pastoral sectors (Markus 2009:21) The world’s driest continent The world’s driest continent Two thirds of the country is arid or semi-arid and only partly habitable due to the lack of permanent water Two thirds of the country is arid or semi-arid and only partly habitable due to the lack of permanent water Climate and annual rainfall are highly variable Climate and annual rainfall are highly variable Only 6% of Australia’s land is classed as arable Only 6% of Australia’s land is classed as arable

Population Currently 22 million Currently 22 million Expect 30 million by 2050 Expect 30 million by 2050 Urbanisation (high density in coastal cities) Urbanisation (high density in coastal cities)

Consequences Pollution Pollution Soil Salinity Soil Salinity 17 million hectares in Australia will be at risk of serious dryland salinity problems by 2050 (National Land and Resources Audit) 17 million hectares in Australia will be at risk of serious dryland salinity problems by 2050 (National Land and Resources Audit) Loss of Biodiversity and Loss of Habitat Loss of Biodiversity and Loss of Habitat Species Extinction Species Extinction Since European arrival 220 years ago, 104 plant and animal species have become extinct. 88 are currently critically endangered, and 1502 listed as endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent (Markus 2009:27). Since European arrival 220 years ago, 104 plant and animal species have become extinct. 88 are currently critically endangered, and 1502 listed as endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent (Markus 2009:27).

Exercise Form groups based on the topic you have chosen Form groups based on the topic you have chosen Discuss this topic, in the context of the Australian Environment, in your group Discuss this topic, in the context of the Australian Environment, in your group You will be asked to present your ideas back to the class based on, You will be asked to present your ideas back to the class based on, Why your topic is the most important, and Why your topic is the most important, and How it should be protected How it should be protected

Ways of Protecting the Environment Legislation Legislation Conservation Conservation E.g., protected areas E.g., protected areas Local and Global Initiatives Local and Global Initiatives E.g., indigenous knowledge E.g., indigenous knowledge

1. How many world heritage listed sites exist currently in Australia? a. none b. five c. ten d. eighteen 2. Australia has 755 species of what? a. flowering plants b. mammals c. reptiles d. birds 3. Which of the following is NOT true? a. Australia is the largest country in the world b. Australia is a very old continent c. Australia is the driest habitable continent on earth d. fire has been a major force in shaping Australia’s landscape 4. Which of the following species are monotremes? a. kangaroo and emu b. koala and possum c. echidna and platypus d. dingo and sugar glider 5. What is climate change? a. global warming b. long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and rainfall c. the gradual increase of the Earth’s average surface temperature, due to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. d. a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere

Stradbroke Island What to bring: What to bring: Lunch is provided, but you may wish to bring snacks. Lunch is provided, but you may wish to bring snacks. We will be outdoors all day. You MUST wear a hat and sunscreen. We will be outdoors all day. You MUST wear a hat and sunscreen. Bathers – if you want to swim. Bathers – if you want to swim. What to do: Be on Grey St in Southbank, outside QCA, at 9am so you don’t miss the bus! Be on Grey St in Southbank, outside QCA, at 9am so you don’t miss the bus!

References Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Markus, N On Our Watch: The Race to Save Australia’s Environment. Carlton: Melbourne University Press. The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts: Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australia's Environment: Issues and Trends, Jan /