Issues in Australian Environmental Management.

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                    Geography Assignment

  • Issues in Australian Environment

Introduction -

Australia is among the world’s largest producers of waste. With the exception of the USA, Australia produces more waste per person each year than any other country. We are a highly consumerist society driven by what we want just as much as by what we need. The millions of tonnes of waste disposed of into our environment every year are symbolic of our presently unsustainable patterns of production and consumption.

Many of Australia’s major urban centres seem to be in a continual state of growth, expanding to accommodate their residents and the high standard of living they enjoy. Sophisticated waste disposal systems are therefore required to deal with the enormous quantities of ensuing rubbish and pollution. Finding sustainable methods of waste disposal while simultaneously upholding the comforts of Australians produce about 3 kilograms of waste per person. This waste can be in the form of solid (or dry) waste, liquid waste, or gaseous waste. As urban growth continues to take old in many of Australia’s capital cities, our levels of all these types of waste, combined with the problems created when it comes to disposing of them are constantly increasing.

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Key waste disposal issues

As levels of waste in a community increase the amenity (or liveability) of that community declines. Waste therefore needs to be disposed of in ways which minimise its negative impacts. Much of the waste humans produce is not biodegradable (or decomposable). Even with increased public awareness of waste issues and a greater level of general recycling, Australia’s level of per capita waste grew by approximately 30 per cent between 1998 and 2002. Australia’s major waste disposal issues are outlined below.

Solid Waste and limited landfills

Disposing of solid waste such as household garbage and ...

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