Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
need to pump water over distance is met. This took a long time to implement
- public resistance was slowly worn down by years of rising fuel bills and, even
then, lack of engineering expertise meant that progress was slow. However,
expertise and investment from China now means that 80 per cent of Australia's
electricity requirement is met by nuclear power, with a mix of hydro, gas, solar,
wind and coal supplying the remainder.
Water is managed as an economic good, but with awareness of its environ-
mental values. In the tradeoffs between water for small rural enterprises and
cities, the rural enterprises lose. Environmental flows are a high priority and,
where feasible, are increased. An affordable and sustainable water supply for all is
a policy aspiration. Nevertheless, at least twice in the last decade water rationing
has been imposed in the southern capital cities to address water shortages.
In
summary
, this is a highly urbanized, equitable society, at least from the
inside. Nevertheless, not enough is being done to ensure food and water security,
and this is a society that lives with the fear of shortages - of water and even of
food. Increased risk of fire and flood is driving an ever-increasing proportion of
the population to the cities. The government is able to contemplate building a
water grid, given the large amounts of cheap power now available, which will
build water security provided that northern Australia continues to be wetter than
in the past. Investment in agriculture in northern regions is seen to be essential
in the future to build food security.
Scenario 3: New Atlantis
The
state
is what Oakeshott (1975) calls 'purposive' in that it strongly pursues
common objectives and outcomes, in this case to respond to climate change
through domestic action and international leadership, in order to universalize
the Good Life. This is not an across the spectrum 'war economy', as Spratt and
Sutton (2008) argue, as the rapid responses that are needed for mitigation of
greenhouse gases have been achieved with policy reforms only in the transport
and energy sectors.
Large-scale investment in nuclear power and a suite of renewable energy
technologies reduce emissions from the power sector. In this scenario, some 40
per cent of energy is generated from nuclear power, 50 per cent from renewable
and 10 per cent from fossil fuels, mainly gas. This investment has been accom-
panied by large investment in transmission grids, allowing distant location of
nuclear power stations to allay public concerns. Electricity from large solar
concentrators in central Australia can be brought to the large coastal cities.
These investments provide the large quantities of power required to maintain
good health and an acceptable lifestyle in urban areas, especially for cooling.
Similarly, large investments in high-speed public transport within and between
cities and towns further contribute to significant reductions in emissions.
It is not a state that intervenes as a matter of course but, rather, to the extent
necessary, as a matter of efficacy. Yet the nature of the state itself means such
changes are accepted and legitimate because they are desired by citizens.
