Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Conclusions
As mentioned above, not all problems concerning the climate change issue
and sustainability have their solution in scientific research/knowledge.
Indeed, it can be argued that in many cases historical investment, culture,
religion and other social factors are 80 per cent or more of the problem in
implementing actions that are more sustainable. Scientists do themselves
and their communities a disservice to overstate the centrality of science in
such debates.
But scientific knowledge, the wisdom that it can enhance and the tech-
nologies that it can deliver are important components of the solutions.
There is good reason to believe that a new form of integrated systems science
can deliver benefits across the sustainability spectrum. The obstacle to
science delivering in this way is that many are beginning to look at science as
the panacea for wealth generation alone.
Climate change is occurring and will continue through this century. It
will be a challenge to manage superimposed climate change in conjunction
with existing climate variability, whether it be in agriculture, natural-
resource management, water resources, health, commerce or industry.
But one thing is certain: the issue of climate change has changed forever
the future of the energy cycle in Australia and the rest of the world. How we
are going to meet the growing needs for energy amenity, population growth
and, at the same time, tend to existing legacies of unsustainable actions is a
huge challenge to all.
Climate change is in a sense a generic test of how we can cope with what
is clearly an unsustainable situation. (No one argues that we can accept rapid
warming continuing indefinitely.) Climate change is regionally driven with
global consequences and is a result of economic imperatives and socially
valued goods. It requires a redefinition as to the balance of these outcomes. It
includes the dimension that what we do now, almost indefinitely impacts on
the options of future generations. What we learn here in our homes, board-
rooms and parliaments, about how to manage this situation, will hold value
for similar dilemmas to be confronted in our transition to a more sustaina-
ble future.
References
Department of Trade and Industry, UK. (2003). Our energy future: Creating a low carbon
economy. Energy White Paper: Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for
