Today’s post which is suitable for students in Stage 3 of the Australian curriculum explores how what we say and what do are often very different.
Australia’s Fast Fashion Problem 👚👖
Australia is known for its beautiful landscapes and sustainable practices, but we also have some big environmental contradictions. For example, Australians buy and throw away a lot of clothes. Each year, we discard over 300,000 tonnes of clothing, and not much of it gets recycled. A small tax on new clothes is meant to help with recycling, but it’s not enough. We need to do more to match our actions with our environmental values.
More Environmental Contradictions 🌱
Here are some other ways we contradict our green image:
- Plastic Pollution 🛍️ We banned single-use plastics in many states, but plastic waste is still a big problem. Recycling efforts are not keeping up with the amount of plastic we use.
- Energy Consumption ⚡ Australia is investing in renewable energy, but we still use a lot of coal. We also export coal, which adds to global pollution.
- Water Management 💧 Our Murray-Darling Basin Plan aims to save water for both farming and the environment, but poor management has hurt our rivers.
- Deforestation 🌳 Australia clears land at one of the highest rates in the world. This harms our wildlife and contributes to climate change.
- Wildlife Protection 🐨 Animals like koalas are losing their homes to deforestation and bushfires. Even with conservation programs, urban expansion is a threat.
See other areas where Areas Where Australia Lags Behind the Rest of the World
What Can We Do? 🌍
We all need to work together to solve these problems. This means supporting better policies, holding companies accountable, and making eco-friendly choices every day. Let’s align our actions with our values and create a sustainable future! 🌟
#EnvironmentalJustice #FastFashion #Sustainability #PlasticPollution #EnergyConsumption #WaterManagement #Deforestation #WildlifeProtection #AustraliaEnvironment #EcoFriendly #SustainableFuture #ClimateAction
References
| Issue | Reference |
| Fast Fashion | https://au.news.yahoo.com/fast-deco-fast-fashion-landfills-050011196.html |
| Plastic Pollution | https://www.earthday.org/campaign/end-plastic-pollution/ |
| Energy Consumption | https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-57925798 |
| Water Management | https://www.natureaustralia.org.au/donate-to-our-mission/donate/help-protect-the-murray-darling-basin/ |
| Deforestation | https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-10-08/deforestation-land-clearing-australia-state-by-state/12535438 |
| Wildlife Protection | https://www.queenslandconservation.org.au/dire_threat_koalas_seq_urban_sprawl |
Alignment with ACARA Curriculum
| ACARA Curriculum | Descriptor No. | How It Aligns |
|---|---|---|
| Science | ACSHE081, ACSHE098 | Understanding the impact of human activity on ecosystems. |
| Geography | ACHGK071, ACHGK072 | Exploring environmental changes and management strategies. |
| Civics and Citizenship | ACHCK052 | Learning about responsible community participation. |
| English | ACELY1698, ACELY1709 | Developing skills in persuasive writing and critical thinking. |
Alignment with SDGs
| Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | How It Aligns |
|---|---|
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Addressing fast fashion and plastic pollution. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Highlighting energy consumption and deforestation issues. |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Tackling plastic pollution affecting marine life. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Focusing on deforestation and wildlife protection. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Emphasizing collaboration for sustainable solutions. |