Graduate Environmental Program

A report by the Sustainability Commissioner for our state of Victoria, Australia led by Dr Ian McPhail was released in December 08.  This is an independent report and it makes depressing reading.  Media reporting picked up on this: the Age devoted several pages to the report (and here). McPhail cautioned about high levels of resource consumption by Victorians; the recent government planning policy that has allowed Melbourne to ’sprawl’ yet further into areas with sensitive flora and fauna; Melbourne sourcing its water from more distant sources;  the continued degradation of waterways and catchments, and the use of polluting brown coal as the major energy source. He identified Eastern Gippsland as one of the last ‘frontiers’ of the state with its relatively intact ecosystems and low population.

A quote of his was picked up in the media by the journalists sitting in the front row at the launch event: “If everyone lived liked Victorians, almost four planets would be needed.” The report may be read in PDF here. A further public debate is needed in 2009.