Climate Change and Australia
Australia is famed for its wide stretches of tropical beaches, its UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef, Aboriginal culture, cute koalas and rural life on farms or ranches (often called stations). Australians prize sincerity, humor and informality over pretension. Furthermore, they often downplay their achievements.
If invited to someone’s home, it is considered polite to bring a bottle of wine; at bars it is customary to buy round of drinks for others.
Table of Contents
Climate
Australians across Australia are taking steps to understand climate change, its impacts, and ways of responding. This work includes academic and government research as well as community groups, industry and conservation organizations.
Australia boasts an incredibly varied climate that varies significantly across regions, boasting some of the largest inter-annual rainfall variations globally. While its northern areas experience tropical weather conditions, its southern region features temperate weather with grasslands and woodlands.
Australia experiences periodic droughts as greenhouse gas levels increase, with their frequency increasing in tandem. These droughts are associated with El Nino-Southern Oscillation and have had devastating impacts on biodiversity, land productivity and human lives alike. Furthermore, warming atmosphere can reduce low pressure systems bringing rainfall or cloud cover in southern parts of Australia but increase heavy rain events as warmer air holds more water vapour – something recently observed over southern regions of Australia.
Population
Australia boasts one of the strongest economies and highest living standards worldwide, as well as having one of the youngest populations – its median age being 41 compared to 60 for most developed nations.
Australia’s population was estimated at 27.1 million as of March 2024, representing an increase of 2.3% compared to March 2023, due to continued net overseas migration (NOM) decreasing since its peak seen in September 2023 and natural increase due to births surpassing deaths.
Indigenous Australians have lived in Australia for millennia, yet account for only a small proportion of its current population. Most immigrants hailing from various countries around the globe – with most coming from Asia. Australia borders Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in its northern border area; its Coral Sea Islands Territory borders Antarctica in its south; New Zealand sits to its east.
Economy
Australia boasts a vibrant Western-style capitalist economy. While its service sector dominates, a significant portion of GDP comes from commodity exports like mining and agriculture. Furthermore, Australia ranks high globally when measured against indicators like education, healthcare access, economic freedom and quality of life.
Domestic demand has been an essential driver of growth in recent years, with service industries (notably construction and information media and telecommunications ) performing particularly well. Production of commodities including coal, iron ore and oil has decreased due to disruptions caused by natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes.
The slowdown has spurred calls for reform to boost productivity. Michele Bullock of the Reserve Bank of Australia says productivity issues lie primarily with government rather than central bank policy; yet that didn’t stop Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull taking an indirect swipe at Michele Bullock at his economic roundtable. NAB’s Andrew Irvine believes stronger business investment is required to restore household savings that have fallen to 18-year lows as mortgage payments and tax handouts drain incomes away.
Culture
Australia’s culture is an eclectic melting pot, reflecting influences from around the globe and creating its own distinctive way of life. Australia values sincerity and humor alongside practicality and an approachable lifestyle; Australians enjoy making lighthearted jokes with each other as much as teasing each other about our sense of humour!
Australians tend to value modesty and humility over flaunting wealth or status openly. They distrust those who exaggerate or take themselves too seriously; and recognize the value of striking a work-life balance.
Small gifts may be given between close friends, neighbours and tradespeople during social gatherings such as birthdays or Christmas. Hugging or kissing someone may not be customary unless you know them very well in a social situation; handshakes are more commonly used and Australians typically use first names when greeting each other. They don’t appreciate pretentiousness and pomposity easily which may pose difficulties for foreigners coming from cultures in which titles and achievements are highly prized.
