Environmentalism in Australia?

We're off to Fraser Island tomorrow, but this general post should hold you all off until we get back on October 28. Look forward to Lamington and other updates after finals. Also, did everyone hear about Gore getting the Nobel Peace Prize? Pretty good political move...

I remember reading in The Economist before coming to Australia about John Howard (current prime minister) and Kevin Rudd (Labour challenger) and how an environmental element would be a part of the recently called election (Howard declared the election would take place on November 22). The article discussed Rudd's advantage, because he was more in touch with the environmental movement and Howard was trying to make up ground. Since I arrived, there have been a couple major happenings in Australia to suggest that neither party really cares about the environment at all. First, the APEC summit was hosted in Australia and Howard's biggest push for international environmental reform was to suggest non-binding, aspirational carbon dioxide emission standards for nations. Second, Australia has been struggling over the question of allowing a pulp mill in an old growth forest in the heart of Tasmania - political leaders, seeming unanimously decided to allow the pulp mill. The pulp mill will likely significantly disrupt tourism industries and the wine industry. On the flip side, Australia has had a stupid policy of exporting its old growth forests for several dollars per ton and Japan turns this old growth forest into valuable paper and sells it for thousands of dollars per ton. This is a quandary that Australia, obviously, hasn't been able to settle. So that's the political background, more talk than anything else. To me, Australian environmentalism mimics their Aboriginal History - used to promote Australia when convenient, advertised internationally, but realistically the government doesn't see it as a priority.

Public Transportation







Public transportation in Brisbane is good - much better than my experiences in Schenectady, at least, but I'd imagine New York and other major US cities is better (Washington, DC is better).

My trip consists of a ferry ride across a river to a train to a bus. The problem is the ferry only runs from 6AM to 6PM, so if I want to stay out later than 6 PM it is a 40 minute walk down a deserted country rode. I actually enjoy the walk a lot. There is a huge difference walking away from the bus stop into the larger estates as far as light is concerned - the stars really come out. It's especially nice when there is a storm - because you can see for mile and miles.

Despite the transport problems, it only takes about 1.5 hours to get into the city during rush hour. In a car it is about 45 minute to an hour. When I drove the rental car back to the rental agency it took me an hour and a half - so I'll take the train, where I can read and do work. It is very expensive, though. It costs me $20 per week to get in and out of school, but I have to lie about my student standing (international students don't get the discount).

Parks and Wildlife

The parks here are incredible. They aren't nearly as developed as in the US, which means that access is likely limited in many areas with those who can afford four wheel drive vehicles, but it also means it is relatively untouched. Most National Parks have one rode in and out and are relatively open for exploration - few limits as to where you can go or what you can do. Most signs are warning that you could die do something, but don't prohibit you from giving it a shot. About 95 percent of their sub trobical rainforest has been destroyed (I think 99.9 percent of the United States' primordial forests are destroyed). It's a bit of a problem as they are still developing rainforests, literally kilometres from world heritage sites. They have an incredible diversity in small pockets.

We were just at Lamington National Park, which is a sub tropical rainforest on an extinct volcano from 23 million years ago (this will hopefully be written about soon). On the other side of the range houses are being developed! The development was mooned and given the middle finger several times during our stay. This National Park was also the setting for the animated film Fern Gully, since Mount Warning is in the park (or near it).

One of our TAs during our week at Lamington is an etymologist (studies bugs) and has discovered several new species of glow worms, just in the last few years. New species are constantly being discovered and many have very practical applications (glow worms produce light with near perfect efficiency - CFL I think are about 10 - 20 percent efficient). Anyways, scientists often use new species as a means of protecting large areas of land - science's secret weapon against development. This TA, Claire, also spent three weeks with David Attenborough doing a segment on glow worms for Planet Earth.

Every park I have been to has been amazing and if I had a free month I might just spend it backpacking in Australian rainforests.

Social Acceptance


As much as Australians claim to be environmentally minded, I haven't seen it. I still see people watering grass and throwing out recyclables, despite the fact that they have about a year of fresh water left. Australians do participate in some ways - most people take four minute showers (90 percent participation) and schools and the government give out egg timers and information. The kids often question parent's habits. They are also pretty consumer oriented (behind the US, but if they could keep up I think they would). Recycling is less prevalent year and despite their seemingly unlimited solar, wind, and tidal potential they opt for coal, which they have huge reserves of. It does look like they will be testing out the first coal sequestration plant, though. They also seem to come out in force over the hot button issues, such as the Tasmanian Pulp Mill and APEC. Overall, environmentalism isn't at the forefront of people's minds, despite the fragility of their environment (no water, very poor soil nutrient concentration). Like the US, they are steaming toward the edge of the waterfalls.