The Issues

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Consumption

• Australians have one of the highest consumption rates, and their greenhouse gas emissions per capita are amongst the highest in the world¹⁰.
• As immigrants come to Australia from less industrialised countries their consumption increases as they adapt to the Australian life-style¹¹.
• Most environmental indicators (biodiversity, water quality, soil, etc.) are declining in Australia, meaning that the current population is not living sustainably at the current standard of living¹³.

^References

^{10. The Australia Institute: News release "Australians worst greenhouse polluters: New figures". 7 Aug 2002.}

^{11. Hamilton, C. and Turton, H. Population growth and greenhouse gas emissions: Sources, trends and projections in Australia. Discussion paper no. 62. The Australia Institute.}

^{13. State of Environment Committee. State of Environment Australia 2001. CSIRO Publishing. Overview.}