Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Storyline
1. Terror Australia
2. Terroir Australia
3. New Atlantis
Sectors
Energy
Fossil fuel-based
energy still
dominant; no
effective national
grid.
Strong shift to
nuclear power; need
for national energy
grid recognized and
planned.
Balanced mix of
low carbon energy
sources: nuclear and
renewable, supported
by effective grid.
Water
resources and
supply
Markets determine
water allocation;
environmental flows
neglected; irrigated
area in decline,
rationing common.
Needs of urban areas
and environmental
flows prevail;
desalination
augments supply;
occasional shortages.
Emphasis on rational
and equitable
distribution of
water, with needs of
all users including
irrigation and
environmental flows
recognized and
supported; use of
water grids where
feasible.
Agriculture
and food
security
Agricultural
area in decline,
irrigated agriculture
severely threatened;
food shortages
and hoarding
commonplace, prices
rising.
Responsive-mode
policies failing to
keep track of shifts in
climatic belts leading
to food shortages.
Managed program
of agricultural
relocation as climate
changes maintaining
food security.
Transport
Effective public
transport limited
to inner cities,
province of the rich;
suburb-to-centre
public transport links
poor quality with
commuters heavily
reliant on cars;
inter-city transport
by air.
Effective public
transport throughout
urban areas; rural
centres poorly served
and reliant on cars;
inter-city transport
by air.
Effective public
transport throughout
urban areas;
long-distance
high-speed
rail network
well-developed and
growing.
Ecosystems
Little recognition of
ecosystem service;
ecosystems severely
threatened.
Recognition of
ecosystem service;
environmental
flows maintained;
strong emphasis
on revegetation for
carbon sequestration.
Green areas
expanding strongly
in urban areas;
environmental
stewardship
financially supported
as mechanism to
sustain vibrant rural
communities.
