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Australian State of the Environment Report 2011 Table Task: Evaluate the contemporary state of Australian outdoor environments theme Positive aspects Atmosphere Australia has met its targets in controlling ODSs. Concentrations are decreasing but many are long lived Levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and lead in urban air have decreased over the past two decades Ambient air quality in Australia's major urban centers is generally good. Air standards are rarely exceeded for prolonged periods, and very high levels of pollution are usually associated with short-lived extreme events such as bushfires and dust storms Management of pollution affecting our air quality is generally good – fuel quality standards, filters for coal burners, dust suppressors for waste treatment Negative changes why they have occurred What can be done to help the situation Evaluate the contemporary state of the environment Large scale changes to Australia’s variable climate temperatures are increasing rainfall distribution patterns are changing. The planet is warming mean global temperatures have risen compared with preindustrial levels in 1750 Major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are necessary Although Aus air quality is generally good further improvements need to be aimed for and achieved such as lowering our contributions to greenhouse gases the decade ending in 2010 was the hottest 10-year period on record for Australia unprecedented severity and duration of drought record-breaking rains ozone and particle levels have not declined key pollutants such as particles, ozone and sulfur dioxide may affect sensitive individuals, such as asthmatics and people with respiratory or cardiovascular disease, even when air quality standards are met. Diffuse emissions now constitute the major source of pollutants in urban areas. Motor vehicles are the single most important source - carbon monoxide, particles, various toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides diesel vehicles-source of particles Levels of carbon dioxide, the most important greenhouse gas (GHG), have increased by around 39% above pre industrial levels, principally due to burning fossil fuels. This has led to a clearly defined trend of increasing average global temperatures, and that human emissions of greenhouse gases are the primary cause Per person, Australia’s emissions are the largest of any OECD country Diffuse pollution caused by vehicles and also by Commercial premises centres dominated by large industrial facilities domestic premises with use of wood heaters Planned burning Policies, plans and programs at all levels of government implemented Securing a Clean Energy Future, the Australian Government’s climate change plan July 2011, a price on carbon Aim: a reduction of 5%- 15% on 2000 levels by 2020. legislated 20% Renewable Energy Target energy efficiency Carbon Farming Initiative Sequester carbon. improved vehicle technology national emission standards for new vehicles, emissions control technology fuel quality standards low-density suburban development reliable public transport $15 billion to climate change initiatives. Early action to reduce emissions and to deploy targeted adaptation strategies will be less costly than delayed action. even if national and international mitigation efforts were to increase dramatically over the next decade or two and emissions were stabilised, temperatures will remain at elevated levels for centuries to come, making adaptation to change essential. There is no reason for complacency or for delaying urgent action