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Bilateral Pairings Activity
Thirsty or Flooded
Our theme of Thirsty or Flooded: Changing Hydrological Systems applies to Australia greatly. Often, Australia is seen by other countries as dry, and desert like. This is very true, however, is only true for certain seasons, and places. Australia is a very diverse country, in biodiversity and environments and throughout the year, as the conditions become extremely different, different wildlife and plants grow and flourish and the environment you may have once known may look completely different.
Along with these environmental changes, the weather changes dramatically throughout the year. While other countries may experience low rain in summer and high level of rains in winter, the opposite is known for the people of Australia. Generally, summer is known as the wet season, and large amounts of rainfall are expected, along with storms and cyclones, while in winter, it is generally very dry with few spells of rain. During a typical wet season, a large amount of floods are to be expected and typically cost cities millions of dollars to repair the damage caused (Average Figures are often $300 - $400 Million http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-57_u-479_t-1306_c-5030/qld/sose-geography/disasters/natural-hazards/floods-and-a-flood-in-australia ). Currently the area of North Queensland is having a drought, while lower areas such as Victoria, have had record rainfall, and major flooding occurring. Stark opposites in the same country are typical for Australia, but as time goes on, these opposites have been becoming more severe, with longer or more severe droughts, and longer, faster and more powerful and severe floods, rainfall and storms.
India, the bilateral pairing for Australia, is very similar in terms of having extremes, of having extremes happen constantly, either having heavy flooding and rainfall, or having severe droughts, however, what makes it different from Australia is these conditions have an effect on a larger portion of India. Along with this Australia’s floods are considered as dangerous; however low amounts of people die, with ‘low’ amounts of damage. However, in comparison, in India, floods are rapid and dangerous, and can easily kill large amounts of people. In Australia, it is a rare occurrence if people die, and is often reported on the news if somebody does die, with amounts as small as fifteen people considered as terrible, and labelled as an extremely dangerous flood, while in India; fifteen people will be as a very good flood, as only a few people died.
The Blue Youth Theme: Thirsty or Flooded, applies substantially to Australia, due to the vastness of the country, there are very different environment and conditions. Australia currently hasquite stark opposites of weather and conditions, areas such as the northern part of Australia and central part of Australia, are currently experiencing harsh droughts, while southern regions such as Victoria and South Australia have just experienced high level of flooding in the last two months. These examples highlight the different weather that Australians experience, and highlights the significance of the Blue Youth Theme, thirsty or flooded, in Australia. Along with that, most of the areas that are having droughts now use to have large amounts of flooding throughout their wet season (Summer in Australia- December, January, February) having stark contrasts of the different weather they experience and live with.
The current Blue Youth theme seems to be evolving in Australia in the direction of ignorance. Many Australian’s understand droughts, and the negative effects they have, however these same people, often know about major flooding and rainfall. A large majority of Australian’s do not believe that humans have any impact on the environment as “the environment emits much more carbon than we humans do”, and stand by this attitude towards climate change. Not only that, but due to the weather patterns that occur in Australia, with patterns that mean most areas will experience high levels of rainfall during certain time periods of the year, most Australian’s believe that water usage is not an issue. However, it has been shown that the carbon cycle, with natural levels, continuously exchange carbon, producing very low changes in the carbon in the atmosphere, however, when human’s emit carbon it disrupts the natural carbon cycle and produces quite rapid changes as nature cannot cycle all of the extra carbon. Australia needs to start to focus on changing the attitude of its population and raise awareness of what climate change is, and the results of what will happen if nothing is done.
Currently Australia is trying to reduce carbon emissions by using strategies such as reducing the hydrofluorocarbons, increasing awareness, creating controlled situations, such as controlled burns, and increased innovation towards creating renewable technology. The Australian government are trying to decrease the hydrofluorocarbons released from air conditioners, fridges and freezers by creating and improving the technology used in these machines. The Australian government is also trying to raise awareness of climate change and water, for a long time, the government of Australia have been promoting switching off the tap while brushing your teeth, and have had many different campaigns promoting saving water. These strategies are reducing the carbon emissions from Australia and reduce water wastage. Australia also reduces the effect from increased danger from natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and cyclones by making flood and cyclone proof houses and using controlled burns, which reduces the amount of grass and reduces the danger and severity of bushfires. Along with that, Australia is promoting the creation and use of renewable energy, and new technology, which are more eco-friendly.
