The Environmental Issues in Australia Essay Example
The Environmental Issues in Australia Essay Example

The Environmental Issues in Australia Essay Example

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  • Pages: 6 (1449 words)
  • Published: July 30, 2021
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Introduction

Australia faces many environmental issues based on the study based on yearly climate statement generated by the government and its stats shows that 2019 records as the warmest year. All the cities have recorded the above-average temperatures than usual. This unusual rise in the temperatures has led to the protracted and severe drought in the country. The years from 2013-2019 are recorded in the 10 warmest years of Australia and the year before that was in 1998. Environmental issues depend on various factors such as pollution, global warming, extinction of species and greenhouse effect. The main reason for all these environmental issues is human beings. The humans for their benefits cause these problems in the environment. Some of the issues are explained below as these are caused daily which has a direct impact on the Australian envi

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ronment.

Climate & Energy

Climate changes around the world, Australia is among the top countries in the emission of CO2 gases. These gases lead to global warming and the release of greenhouse gases which are stored in the atmosphere. There has been the most debating point for a decade or two. Coal plays a vital role in exports and imports in the country. This is because the contains the combustion of carbon dioxide is used to generate electricity.

The electricity is generated using a technique called coal-fired thermal generation as it has a huge amount of coal through which it can avoid the generation of electricity using uranium or other radioactive elements. Although this process has reduced the usage of radioactive it's been the reason for the emission of greenhouse gases. Due to these constant changes in the climate gave challenges t

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the people of Australia and its tourism. The rise in the sea level made the life of thousands of people living in the soft shorelines of the sea as there are risks of soil erosion and floods due to the rise in the level and the government have sent them the indications of this issues to the people living along the shores. World meteorological organizations have claimed that the can have extreme weather conditions in the future so the government should take measures to keep these conditions under control so that it can avoid severe conditions before its too late to take measures and it may also show the effect on the economy of the country.

Air Pollution

In today's world, every country is surrounded by different types of pollutions. Australia mainly suffers from Air Pollution. Every year nearly 5000 people from Australia die because of Air pollution and many heart-related problems, lung-related problem and cancers are occurring because of Air pollution. Even short-term exposure to Smoke can cause health problems in the future. Children, elder people and people who are suffering from heart and lung diseases are most affected due to air pollution. One of the major factors for Air Pollution in Australia is Coal-fired power stations which releases huge amounts of Nitrogen Oxide and Sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. The by-product of Coal-fired power is disposed into wastewater ponds, as a result, it is polluting local lands and waterways. Latrobe Valley and Hunter valley are some other places in Australia where Air pollution exceeds its limit. To control this, strong laws and regulations need to be established.

Bush Fires are another factor for Air pollution. Australia's

largest city Sydney has experienced smoke for a week. Now, Sydney's air quality has crossed the dangerous levels on many occasions. As a result, 10% of hospital admissions have increased.

Increase in Air pollutants such as Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane and increase in Greenhouse gases are consequences of Air pollution. Human Activities such as Industrial process, motor vehicles are also one of the causes of Air Pollution. Use other possibilities to Car such as Walk, By-cycle, Public transport and Checking the emission levels for our vehicles, reducing wood heating can result in the reduction of Air Pollution.

Water Pollution

Water is an essential resource on Earth for survival. Water pollution damages all our Water supply. Coastal area's in Australia are mainly affected by water pollution. Water pollution has adverse effects on all the water bodies such as rivers, oceans, ponds, lakes, groundwater, streams etc. The King River in Tessie is the most polluted water body in Australia. Nearly 70 years it is used as a depositing place for Mining waste, as a result, it became acidic. Every Square kilometre of Australians seawater is polluted by nearly 4000 species, as a result, it is affecting tiny fish to large turtles. Marine Dumping is a major cause of Water pollution in Australia. Sewage, wastewater, oil spills, underground leakages are other factors for water pollution. Sea Dumping act, Marine environment report, permitting and penalties of seawater, anti-fouling are some of the measures taken by the Australian Government for the reduction of water pollution.

Land Pollution

Degradation or destruction of the useful surface on earth results in Land Pollution. Deforestation, soil erosion is some of the degradation activities which are done by a

human. As the population is increasing, the demand for food also increases consequently. To increase the production of the food farmers are using dangerous fertilizers and pesticides instead of natural fertilizer like dung. Though production of food increased, the land is getting damaged, results in land pollution. Mining activities are another cause of land pollution. The garbage from each house is sent to Recycling unit, the products which can't be recycled are left on land leading to pollution of land. Deforestation is another major factor in land pollution. Because of Urbanization, industries are replacing forest lands, as a result, forest land is reducing. As Trees are reducing day by day Oxygen content is reducing and resulting in hazardous diseases. Nuclear waste and sewage treatment are other factors of land pollution. The effects of land pollution are dangerous. When land is contaminated it results in climate changes. Because of over usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the fertility of the land for agriculture is reducing day by day. When we are consuming these dangerous foods, humans are affected by many hazardous diseases like Skin cancer, Heart-related problems. If we follow the concept of Reduce, Recycle, reuse then there is a chance to reduce pollution. We must reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Avoid the usage of plastic bags, instead use the cotton bags. Learn to use Biodegradable products.

Plastic Pollution

As Plastic is cheap, we are using all the products made of plastic like water bottles, boxes and many more. According to the stats on an average, per person in Australia uses 130 kg of plastic out of that only 12% is recycled, the remaining amount

is not recycled, and it is dumped into the land surface. As plastic can't be deposited into land easily, we are burning the plastic, as a result, dangerous pollutants are released and they are affecting our environment. Even tiny organisms are affected by plastics. For example, plankton the tiny organism, it can't poison because of plastic consumption and when any large organisms consume plankton it gets affected, which results in spoilage of whole food chain. Groundwater, land, water, the air is getting affected because of plastic. It is very expensive to clean plastic. Instead of plastic products use eco-friendly products. Learn to live a sustainable life so that there will be no pollutions.

Conservation

In 1999, the government of Australia passed an act for the conservation of the resources and animals which is implemented all around the country. The resources such as water, land and air need to be conserved before it's too late.

Water conservation, it is important as this play a vital role in the daily routine of humans as well as nature. The aquatic animals such as whales (various species), white sharks are some of the most prominent species which are near extinction from the ecosystem. The oil spill and waste dumping make the seas and river water to pollute and is the main reason for the death of the many species present in the water. The water also loses its minerals which it generates naturally due to this act of humans. These acts disturb the ecosystem and as this create produce imbalance in the sea and river due to growth of dumping. There are multiple acts passed by the government for the conservation of

the waters. There are restrictions on water usage in many of the capital cities as they are in drought for the water. As these are implemented, people will be fined for the excess use of water than required for their daily needs.

Land Degradation has been the country's main problem.

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