Abby Burrows

Issues in the 21st Century

Australia Project
12/2/2014
Step Two: Whose Earth is it Anyway?
Question 1: How are the resources of Australia used?

Mineral resources
Australia is the one of the worlds largest producers of minerals. Bauxite, gold, and iron
ore are the most important and they are found in Western Australia and Queensland.
These minerals are shipped overseas.
Energy resources
There are extensive deposits of coal found in Sydney and the Bowen Basins. Two thirds
of the coal is exported to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Western Europe.
Natural gas is used to heat homes and power certain vehicles. It is found in Western
and Central Australia and some of it is exported to Japan.
One third of the worlds supply of uranium is found in Australia and it is used for nuclear
power
Land resources
Australias land is great for growing crops for food for both humans and livestock, such
as cattle.
Forests are used as a source of wood for building and making paper.
Question 2: What possible issues might Australia have as far as sustainability and
economic development are concerned?

Economy
Many believe that Australia has a resource based economy. That means that if the
resources are depleted, the economy would suffer.
One of the main risks is that the Federal Government is too aggressive in tightening the
Australian budget spending rather than relying on stronger economic growth to boost
government revenues to reduce the size of the budget deficit.
Environmental sustainability
Even though coal may be a beneficial resource for Australia, it is also a downside to the
sustainability. Australias global emission is just under 2% but they are also exporting
coal to countries such as Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, and China and that isnt
encouraging the discovery of renewable resources on a global scale.
The people of Australia arent doing enough to protect the famous Great Barrier Reef.
Rising sea levels and fertilizer runoff are negatively affecting the reef. Once it is gone,
its gone for good.

Question 3: What are some key factors for sustainability in Australia?

Government
The Australian Government has created something called the Australian Research
Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) to conduct research in how to obtain
behavioral changes that benefit sustainability in Australia.
Education
ARIES worked closely with seven of Australia's leading business schools to achieve
change towards sustainability.
The project resulted in increased staff capacity, new sustainability courses, new
curriculum material, including case studies, industry partnerships and an increased
profile of sustainability within the business schools.