Environmental issues in Australia 4243226 225159841 2008-07-12T05:31:16Z 58.179.189.146 I have added a conclusional persuasive ending to this article. {{Cleanup|date=April 2008}} There are a number of '''environmental issues in Australia'''. Key conservation issues include the protection of Australian habitat from invasive species, soil salinity and the effects of [[mining in Australia|mining]] and land clearing on the environment. The protection of wetlands and other unique habitats is becoming increasingly important to Australia. Other major environmental issues in Australia include the preservation of biodiversity especially in rainforests, and the protection of the [[Great Barrier Reef]] from [[Environmental threats to the Great Barrier Reef|environmental threats]]. The culling of [[brumby|wild horse]]s and [[kangaroo]]s are two of the more controversial environmental issues in Australia. Recognising the problem and dealing with [[climate change in Australia]] while formulating an appropriate [[energy policy of Australia|energy policy]] have been key environmental issues for the current [[Australian Government]].{{Fact|date=April 2008}} The protection of waterways in [[Murray-Darling Basin]] and more generally the sustainability of [[irrigation in Australia]] are also major issues. ==Climate change== {{main|Climate change in Australia}} {{seealso|Effects of global warming on Australia}} ==Conservation== {{Main|Conservation in Australia}} ===Invasive species=== [[Image:Rabbit proof fence in 2005.jpg|thumb|A [[rabbit-proof fence]] enforces a barrier to protect agriculture areas in [[Western Australia]].]] {{Main|Invasive species in Australia}} Australia's geographical isolation has resulted in the evolution of many delicate ecological relationships that are sensitive to foreign invaders and in many instances provided no natural predators for many of the species subsequently introduced. Introduced plants that have caused widepread problems are [[lantana]] and the [[prickly pear]] bush. The introduction and spread of animals such as the [[cane toad]] or [[rabbit]] can disrupt the existing balances between populations and develop into environmental problems. The introduction of [[cattle]] into Australia and to a lesser extant the [[dingo]], are other examples of species that have changed the landscape. In some cases the introduction of new species can lead to [[plague]]s and the extinction of endeminic species. ===Fauna=== {{main|Threatened fauna of Australia}} {{see also|Extinct Australian animals}} ===Land clearing=== {{Main|Land clearing in Australia}} In the [[prehistory of Australia]] the [[indigenous Australians]] used fire to clear land for the hunting of game and encouraging new growth. With colonisation the majority of cleared land in Australia has been developed for cattle, cotton and wheat production. The extinction of 20 different mammal, 9 bird and 97 plant species have been partially attributed to land clearing. Land clearing is a major source of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and contributed to approximately 12 percent of Australia’s total emissions in 1998. Consequences of land clearing is [[dryland salinity]] and [[soil erosion]]. Since European settlement a total of 13% of native vegetation cover has been lost. ==Soil salinity== {{Main|Salinity in Australia}} [[Soil salinity]] affects 5 million ha of Australia and is predominantly due to land clearance. ==Uranium== Australia has the largest reserves of [[uranium]] in the world and there has been a number of [[List of Australian Inquiries into Uranium Mining|enquiries on uranium mining]]. The [[anti-nuclear movement in Australia]] is actively opposing mining as well as preventing the construction of nuclear power plants. {{Seealso|Uranium mining controversy in Kakadu National Park}} The impact that humans are creating is gradually rising. Global Warming, Over Population, Deforestion are just three of the issues humans have made. If we don't reverse what we have already created the animals of the world, including us humans will be in jeopordy. DDR ==Whaling== {{Main|Whaling in Australia}} [[Whaling]] in Australia took place from [[History of Australia (1788-1850)|colonisation]] in [[1788]]. In [[1979]] Australia terminated whaling and committed to whale protection. The main varieties hunted were [[Humpback Whale|Humpback]], [[Blue Whale|Blue]], [[Right Whale|Right]] and [[Sperm Whale]]s.<ref name=Suter>{{cite journal | last = Suter | first = Keith D. | year = 1982 | month = October | title = Australia's new whaling policy : Formulation and implementation | journal = Marine Policy | volume = 6 | issue = 4 | pages = 287–302 | doi = 10.1016/0308-597X(82)90004-5}}</ref> ==See also== *[[Environment of Australia]] *[[List of environmental issues]] *[http://www.envirotalk.com.au/ '''Envirotalk - Australia's Largest Environmental Discussion Forum'''] ==References== {{Reflist}} {{refimprove|date=April 2008}} [[Category:Environmental issues in Australia| ]]