THE ENVIRONMENT
It is the total of our
surroundings, all the
things around us with
which we interact
Due to the pressures of
population and technology,
the environment is being
degraded.
This has been recognized, and
governments have begun
placing restraints on activities
seen to be causing
degradation.
Since the 1960s, the
environmental movement has
created awareness of
environmental issues.
However, the extent of the
environmental impact of
human activity is hotly
debated, and protection
measures severely criticised.
THE ENVIRONMENT
 Continents, oceans, clouds,
soil, rocks
 Our built environment, and
human-created living
centres
 Social relationships and
institutions
THE ENVIRONMENT
Our survival depends on
a healthy, functioning
planet.
We are part of the
natural world.
Our interactions with it
matter a great deal.
DILEMMA (noun)
Unsatisfactory choices
 Argument leading to
undesirable choice (for one
party at least)
 Quandary
 Catch 22
 Problem
12
• Top scientists urge
governments to
solve environmental
'dilemmas'
• Demand for water and
energy, natural
disasters and measuring
carbon dioxide must be
prioritised, leading
institutions say.
CONSERVATION
Environmental conservation is
important because if we waste
our natural resources we will
eventually run out of them.
Without forests and plants there
would be no oxygen for us to
breathe.
ANTI ENVIRONMENTALISM
Conservative groups in
society have opposed
environmentalists, arguing
that environmental action is
pointless, expensive and
against the economy.
ANTI ENVIRONMENTALISM
One step taken was to allege
a conspiracy theory with
scientists making “false”
claims that the environment
is threatened because of
human behaviour!
SUSTAINABILITY
We are increasing our burden on
the planet each year
o Population growth, affluence,
consumption
Nature capital: the accumulated
wealth of Earth
o We are withdrawing our planet’s
natural capital 30% faster than it is
being produced.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
The nine listed here
deserve attention.
We will deal briefly
with each.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
1. People
2. Energy Resources
3. Flora and Fauna
4. Land
5. Water
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
6. Food
7. Extreme weather
8. Volcanic events
9. Air
1. PEOPLE
WORLD
AUSTRALIA
Paradoxically, the
most effective way to
stabilise population
growth is to raise
living standards.
As men (and
certainly women)
gain increased
access to health
services,
become better
educated and more
financially secure
they tend to have
fewer children.
There has been little
population debate in
Australia.
It has been assumed
that growth is a
necessary part of
development .
As we approach the 23
million mark, we need to
address the issue of
sustainability – how
many can be reasonably
supported in this
environment.
2 DECLINING
ENERGY
RESOURCES
SUBSTANCES AND ENERGY SOURCES
NEEDED FOR SURVIVAL
3. FLORA
AND
FAUNA
4. LAND
LAND DEGRADATION
5 WATER
SHORTAGE OF PURE WATER
6 FOOD
FOOD SHORTAGE
OTHER ISSUES
7. Storms, floods, droughts
8. Tsunamis, volcanic events
9. Air contamination
PLANNING
Planning is necessary for
effective management
and implementation of
environmental protection,
but it often remains more
of an ideal than a reality.
PLANNING
Although environmental
concerns and agendas
are increasing, current
approaches are sectional
and frequently
unsustainable.
For example, we
need to have roads,
trains, buses and
ferries talking to each
other.
85
FINALLY
A LITTLE BIT
OF
ENVIRONMENT
AL PREHISTORY
ABORIGINAL LAND
MANAGEMENT
This book records that
people used fire (and no fire)
not just to create grasslands,
but to distribute plants
carefully and attract specific
animals.
Historical research reveals
that Indigenous people
made long-term, precise
and detailed management
of the land possible.
In the last 70,000 years fire
became more frequent as
Aboriginals used it as a tool
to drive game, to produce a
green flush of new growth to
attract animals, and to open
up impenetrable forest.
Densely grown areas
became open water
retaining forest, forests
became grassland. Firetolerant species became
predominant: in particular,
eucalyptus and acacia.