VCE OES 3.1.4

Environmental movements in Australia

Your goal

• To comprehensively evaluate the role of specific environmental movements in changing relationships with outdoor environments.

Wilderness society.Australian Conservation Foundation.

A brief history• From a (pre colonial) indigenous perspective the existence

of environmental groups would have seemed absurd, as they could not conceive the idea of anyone negatively impact the environment. However the first settlers had little or no regard for the environment. For them they were more concerned with harvesting resources and trying to convert it to a more European and less intimidating and hostile place.

• The first Australian environmental movements were bushwalking groups such as the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, formed in 1880. In the 1900’s Environmental groups slowly grew and were fundamental in setting aside National Parks and crown land however they could be considered more conservation that environmentalism.

Pre 1960’s This era was concerned with conservation of wilderness areas and the setting aside of National parks.1960’s onwards The beginning of the ‘hippy counter culture’ era included people moving ‘back to the land’ and increasing activism such as blockades to stop logging of old growth forests. 1980’sIncrease of anti nuclear activism. 1990’s onwardsGrowing international focus including global warming.

1909 Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia founded, Australia's first national conservation organisation1931-1933 Campaign by bushwalking clubs and conservationists to establish the Blue Gum Forest near Blackheath in the Blue Mountains as a nature reserve; one of the first campaigns to protect a wilderness area in Australia.1957 National Parks Association created.1966 Australian Conservation Foundation set up..1971 Aquarius Festival held in Nimbim: some festival participants decide to stay in region, establishing it as a focal point of Australian counter-culture.1973 Lake Pedder in Tasmania flooded by hydro-electricity dam.1976 The Tasmanian Wilderness Society (later to become The Wilderness Society) set up at a meeting at Bob Brown's home in Tasmania.1979 Protests at Terania Creek in northern NSW as part of the Save the Rainforests campaign with protestors blocking logging; the first large, on-site, "direct action" environmental protest in Australia.1982-3 Blockades and direct action campaign to prevent damming of the Franklin River.1983 Hawke ALP Federal Government grants South West Tasmania World Heritage status to prevent damming of the Franklin River by Tasmania's Hydro-Electric Commission following a grassroots campaign.1984 Tasmanian Wilderness Society becomes a national organization as The Wilderness Society.1985 French Government agents sink the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbour.1997 Kyoto Protocol; Australia under PM John Howard refuses to ratify.1998 Protests stops Jabiluka uranium mine in Kakadu.2005 Kyoto Protocol comes into effect - Australia and USA only first world countries not signed on2007 Australian Greens raise representation to five federal members, achieve full political party status.

TheWilderness society.

• purpose is protecting, promoting and restoring wilderness areas.

• is not for profit, has no political affiliations is community based and has a policy of non violence.

• Best know for their successful campaign to stop the damming of the Franklin River in Tasmania.

‘Save the Franklin’

Complete work task…Write a 2 page essay that outlines the ‘Save the Franklin Campaign’.Include in your response:• What lessons were learnt from the ‘Lake Pedder campaign’?• Why was the dam to built and who wanted it built?• What would have been the impacts if the dam was built?• Why did the Tasmanian government hold a referendum and what about the outcome of this

gave confidence to the Wilderness Society.• What techniques and strategies that the society used to save the Franklin

(ie. To influence the government, gain public support, and the battle the dam builders)• political organisation directly benefited from supporting the campaign to stop the dam

being built.• By a vote of 4 to three, what in the end saved the Franklin.• What organisation policies and practises made sure that the Wilderness Society’s campaign

would not the focus of ‘bad press’.• HOW DO YOU THINK THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY CHANGED PEOPLES RELATIONSHIP WITH

NATURAL ENVIRONENTS??

How have environmental movements changed our relationships with outdoor environments?

• Some have played a significant role in developing an understanding of the environment and the need to protect the environment.

• These groups have influenced government policy and individual opinions into placing a higher value on our local and national environments.

• More people joining local conservation groups like ‘Landcare’ and programs like ‘Land for wildlife’.

• Changing their habits with activities that impact the environment such as burning off, disposing of rubbish, tree removal etc.

Australian Conservation Foundation.Is committed to inspiring people to achieve a healthy environment for all Australians