32
the urbanization of the built environment move in tandem, as economic growth and greenhouse gas
emissions have for at least the last 100 years. Because most economic activity is concentrated in urban
areas, the built environment has a key role in contributing to the global greenhouse effect. Affluence
and lifestyle choices determine greenhouse gas emissions, and historically developed countries have
had greater greenhouse gas emissions than developing countries. The world is urbanising quickly, and
under the business-as-usual scenario it is likely that more than 70% of the world’s population will live
in cities by 2050; a scenario where greenhouse gas emissions will increase dramatically (Angel,
Sheppard, & Civco, 2005).
Globally buildings contribute more than 30% of the total anthropogenic Global Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) emissions, and are consuming at least 40% of all energy (De la Rue Du Can & Price, 2008;
Satterthwaite, 2008; UNEP, 2009). In Australia the buildings sector accounts for 130 million tonnes
(Mt) of GHG each year, contributing to about 23% of Australia’s total emissions (AGO, 2006).
Further, it must be noted that most of the power generated to supply energy to this massive growth of
the built environment in Australia comes from non-renewable fossil fuels. Coal and gas account for
about 80% of Australia’s electricity generation. What is more disturbing, and having major impacts
on the environment and communities, is that most of electricity is produced from brown and black
coal at large power stations (DEE, 2020). More and more surrounding communities of these open cut
power stations have been demanding their closure due to environmental impacts and impacts to the
health of the population (Fig. 3.3). Undoubtedly, this contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is adding to the discourse about climate change, and to impacts on climate.
Fig. 3.3 The Alcoa Anglesea Open Cut Coal Power Station was closed in August 2015 due to pressures from the community. (Photo of the Climate Guardians in Anglesea, courtesy of ClimActs, March 2015)
3 The Challenge of a Changing Environment
the urbanization of the built environment move in tandem, as economic growth and greenhouse gas
emissions have for at least the last 100 years. Because most economic activity is concentrated in urban
areas, the built environment has a key role in contributing to the global greenhouse effect. Affluence
and lifestyle choices determine greenhouse gas emissions, and historically developed countries have
had greater greenhouse gas emissions than developing countries. The world is urbanising quickly, and
under the business-as-usual scenario it is likely that more than 70% of the world’s population will live
in cities by 2050; a scenario where greenhouse gas emissions will increase dramatically (Angel,
Sheppard, & Civco, 2005).
Globally buildings contribute more than 30% of the total anthropogenic Global Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) emissions, and are consuming at least 40% of all energy (De la Rue Du Can & Price, 2008;
Satterthwaite, 2008; UNEP, 2009). In Australia the buildings sector accounts for 130 million tonnes
(Mt) of GHG each year, contributing to about 23% of Australia’s total emissions (AGO, 2006).
Further, it must be noted that most of the power generated to supply energy to this massive growth of
the built environment in Australia comes from non-renewable fossil fuels. Coal and gas account for
about 80% of Australia’s electricity generation. What is more disturbing, and having major impacts
on the environment and communities, is that most of electricity is produced from brown and black
coal at large power stations (DEE, 2020). More and more surrounding communities of these open cut
power stations have been demanding their closure due to environmental impacts and impacts to the
health of the population (Fig. 3.3). Undoubtedly, this contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is adding to the discourse about climate change, and to impacts on climate.
Fig. 3.3 The Alcoa Anglesea Open Cut Coal Power Station was closed in August 2015 due to pressures from the community. (Photo of the Climate Guardians in Anglesea, courtesy of ClimActs, March 2015)
3 The Challenge of a Changing Environment