Section of the Environment

Examples of how we are fixing them

ATMOSPHERE Australia is reducing its consumption of ozone depleting substances – “Setting accelerated phase-out requirements in some cases” SOE 2006 Reducing pollution by encouraging people to use public transport More people using the push bike to get places Daily monitoring of air quality and published in papers Discussion of setting a commercial carbon tax Implementation of carbon trading Green energy options to reduce emissions

COASTS AND OCEANS

Number of vessels apprehended for illegal fishing in Australian waters has increased from 60 – 210 between 1999 and 2005. Increase in Marine National Parks Greater measures to restrict transfer of exotic species internationally and domestically More species being added to the threatened species list Coastal management and planning strategies have developed and improved National sea change task force initiated Developed Australian National Oceans Policy Increased bioregions in WA

LAND The NAP is funding and guiding the planning and management of land based environmental problems Australian communities are becoming more aware of logging, clearing of land for agriculture and fire practices

INLAND WATERS Communities attitudes to water consumption and uses are beginning to change National Water Initiative is set to revolutionise the way water is used, re-used and managed in Australia Impacts on the environment of “water trading” needs to be monitored

BIODIVERSITY Acts of parliament passes – eg Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act, Flora and Fauna Act Adopting appropriate fire regimes for biodiversity management Funding for eradication of pest species Financial incentives to states to set areas for conservation VIC, ACT, NSW and WA have targets set for biodiversity conservation

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Education in schools about cultural heritage.

HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

Recycling efforts Awareness and education on sustainability