1. Social and political discourses
Concept five
Social and political discourses

2. What is a discourse?
A discourse refers to written or spoken communication or debate, or, simply the way in which we discuss something.
These ‘discussions’ can take place on a range of social platforms such as conversations, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, TV programs etc.
Political discourse includes discussions among government agencies such as VicParks and Primary Industries Victoria. Public land discussions are linked to political discourses regarding management.

4. What we need to know how the issue/s have been reported
the differing opinions on these issues
their own opinions about the issues and suggested actions
Most importantly:
the impact of these discourses on contemporary societal relationships with outdoor environments.
how are our contemporary relationships shaped by our views on these issues?

5. Discourse 1
Climate change

6. What is it?
The climate change discourse is based around the increasing temperature in the earths atmosphere.
Microscopic gas bubbles found in ice sheets have been dated back 800,000 years and have indicated an increase in CO2 (carbon dioxide) levels, most likely due to the burning of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution.

7. The discourses (views)
Human activity causes climate change
Climate change is a natural process
Climate change is both naturally occurring and humans have contributed
Mitigation - How can we minimise effects?

8. 1. Human activity causes climate change
The discourse is that humans are responsible for the spike in carbon dioxide emissions since the industrial revolution. Increased carbon = increased atmospheric temperatures.
Environmental groups, 98% of climate scientists and political parties are among those favoring this view.

9. If someone hears about this in the news, and believes this…
They might perceive the environment this way…
They might now interact by riding a bike to work…
The impact of perceptions and interactions might be…

10. 2. Climate change is a natural process
Skeptics believe that the warming of the earths atmosphere is a natural process. Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring and utilised gas (plants). Nothing can be done about this.
Skeptics also believe that the science behind climate change is flawed. (things such as the positioning of carbon and temp readers.

12. 3. Climate change is both naturally occurring and humans have contributed
This discourse is based around the belief that climate change is naturally occurring, yet humans have contributed to the seemingly accelerated warmth.
If humans can minimise carbon emissions, warming could potentially slow.

13. 4. Mitigation - How can we minimise climate change?
Mitigation is when humans attempt to slow, reduce or reverse the conditions that humans are creating that are contributing towards climate change.
Many things have been done…

14. Government/Political Action
The Kyoto Protocol (1996): Developed countries signed an international agreement to reduce collective carbon emissions.
Climate Change Act 2010 (Victoria): The Victorian government created a state policy outlining targets for a reduction in greenhouse gases by 20% before 2020.
Carbon Tax: Tax is charged to industries based on their level of greenhouse gas emissions.

15. mitigating actions Solar power Wind power Biofuel Clean coal
Carbon capture & storage

16. Discourse 2
Water management

17. What is it?
Australia has been dubbed ‘the driest inhabited continent in the world’, therefore, water must be managed in order to sustain human interactions. This has led to many discussions, debates and conversations about the way in which this should occur.
Much of the discourse surrounding water management is the issue of water shortages. This has been big in the media.

18. The DEPI (Department of Primary Industries) has developed the Victorian Water Management Strategy which provides a policy and framework aimed at improving the fuction of Victorian waterways.
This has lead to many specific discourses such as the Sugarloaf pipeline and the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant.

19. Wonthaggi Desalination plant

20. Desalination is the process of removing the salt and mineral content from sea water, in order to make the water drinkable.
What is desalination?

21. Wonthaggi Desalination plant
The plant cost around $4 Billion to build, costing Victorians approximately $600 Million a year in operating costs.
To this date, the desal plant is yet to produce drinking water for Melbourne, since opening in 2012.
Dams in Victoria have remained around 80%, nullifying the need for deal water.

22. A committed group within the community believe that the desalination plant is energy intensive, contributing further to climate change and potentially drought.
Watershed is also believe that concern surrounds the proximity to the Bunurong Marine NP.
Discourse = Desalination not only ruins local physical environment, it consumes excessive energy resources, harms local tourism and recreation industries.

23. Political view

24. Through grey water tanks etc
Social view
Through grey water tanks etc

25. discourse 3
Biosecurity

26. What is it?
Biosecurity refers to preventative measures used to protect Australia’s plants, animals, environments and natural resources from diseases and invasive species.
Biosecurity is also fundamental to the health, wellbeing and prosperity of humans along with biodiversity in outdoor environments.

27. Abalone Biosecurity
Our focus for biosecurity is on the Abalone discourse, this discourse is present along the Bunurong Coast.
Fisheries Biosecurity: Biosecurity within marine environments, aimed at protecting fishing and aquaculture industries.

28. The abalone fishing industry is estimated to be worth $75 Million.
Abalone is under threat from the Ganglioneuritis virus, which affects abalone and threatens other species, especially along Western Victoria.
Biosecurity measures are being taken to help prevent the spread of Ganglioneuritis along the coast.

29. Abalone is a common name for any of a group of small to large edible sea snails.
They are considered a delicacy and are worth a lot of money if sold.
What is abalone?

30. Biosecurity measures
Measures are designed to encourage those using marine environments for recreational or commercial interests to consider the threat of the disease and to act responsibly.
Actions include: Cleaning boats of all organic matter, washing dive equipment and disposing of all waste n bins, rather than at sea.
A bag limit of 5 per person also exists.

31. Sides of the discourse
Resource: The Government (DEWLP) and commercial fishing operators believe that their measures will enable commercial and recreational activities to continue, along with preventing the spread. This view is due to their belief that the ocean is a valuable and necessary resource for its economical benefits.
Conservation: Recreational fishermen and divers believe that the government did not do enough to stop the initial outbreak, which has wiped out 90% of Western Victoria’s abalone. Calls are being made to prevent people from swimming and fishing in infected waters as conversation for marine environments should be the top priority.

32. Resource
Conservation