Means in which Australia is tackling the issues of oil peak and consumption of resources

Australia is an island which is located at the middle of its own continent plate. It is said to be one of the dry continents in the world. This is because much of the continent is a desert. After the 2002-3003 drought in Australia, the state governments have been working tirelessly to come up with alternatives to natural water sources and to come up with a way in which water will be supplied in all the capital city of the continent. Ahammed and Nixon (2006) argue that seawater desalination plants have been constructed in most cities in Australia and many others are being constructed. This response is due to the water scarcity and has led to come up with alternatives. There are legal processes to be followed to deal with the environmental issues. These processes are defined in Environmental Impact Assesment abbreviated as EIA. Albergaria and Fidelis (2006) EIA is recognized as an international process but a particular place can alter the process to fit their standards. In South Australia, the EIA is legislated under Development act 1993 Section 46. There was a study conducted in South Australian Adelaide Desalination Plant in which they applied the EIA process to help protect the local coastal environment in Australia. Elliott and Thomas (2009) Australia applies the EIA process to solve the issues of the diminishing resources such as water and fuels.

It has been discovered that development especially development fo the economy affect the environment. Arts and Morrison (2012) argue that some economic activities though they help satisfy the needs of the human beings, they may be harmful to the environment. Therefore, using the EIA process one can determine the economic activities and their impacts on the environment and how to minimize the impacts. The Environmental Impact Assessment process is used to identify any possible effects associated with the activities and projects done on the environment, health and welfare of human beings. It also helps come up with the means and measures on how to mitigate the above-mentioned impacts. To start the EIA process it is important to know the baseline condition of the or the existing environmental condition of the environment. The EIA process has two phases. According to Baker (2012 p. 70) phase one is said to be the initial inquiries such as understanding the proposed activities, screening them and conducting a preliminary assessment. Phase two is said to be the full study which includes the scope of the study, evaluating baseline situation, identifying and choosing alternatives, identifying and characterizing impacts, developing mitigation and monitoring and finally communicating and coming up with a documentation. The people associated with the process are the sponsor and the regulatory agencies such as the government.

Steps to follow in order to obtain the project’s approval (New South Wales State)

There are several steps set by the Australian government to follow so as to gain a go-ahead of an activity that will require EIA process. Taking a case study of New South Wales state, there are several questions to be answered for one to get an approval of undertaking a project which requires the EIA process. Dipper (1998 p. 741) the first step is to find out if the action will be assessed by either the state assessment system accredited under an agreement or even the state government of New South Wales process declared and accredited by the ministry. If the answer is true for the above-mentioned step, then the project is assessed by either the state or the accredited government of Australia process. After the assessment, the state or the Australian government agency prepares an assessment report. Finally, the minister will make a decision for approving, approving and give conditions or even fail to approve the action as proposed. For assessment by PER and preliminary document, a decision has to be made within a time limit of 40 working days after being received as the opponent’s final document. If it is an inquiry assessment, a final decision has to be made in 40 working days from the day of receiving the inquiry report. If the assessment was a tertiary process, a final decision has to be made in 30 working days after receiving of the report. Finally, if the assessment was based on referral information, a final decision has to be made in 20 working days after receiving the final report.

If the action cannot be assessed using either a state/tertiary assessment process or an Australian government assessment process, then there are several options. If the assessment is on referral information, there are processes to be completed in 30 working days of assessment criteria decision. These processes are the department is to prepare a draft of recommendation report, the draft report must be in public for 10 working days for the public to comment and the report is therefore finalized then forwarded to minister for approval. If the assessment is to be done through inquiring from the public, it is the mandate of the minister to appoint commissioners and set terms for them. The appointed commision will conduct an inquiry and provide an inquiry report which is used to make the final decision. For assessment in the preliminary documentation, the in-charge minister will give directions to the proponent to publish information for the public comments. The minister may request more information and direct the proponent to publish the additional information for comments of the public. The public comments on the proponent’s information which is therefore revised as according to the comments made by the public. The revised information is then forwarded to minister stating that no comments were received. It is required that within 10 days, the proponent provides the work revision stating made comments and if no any comments republish the information. The department then will prepare a recommended report and forward it to the office for final decision.

Pitfalls in EIA

If the assessment is by PER the office will provide a standard or tailored rules to proponent for drafting EIS or PER. The EIS/PER draft is then prepared and the minister approves the publication of the draft. The public comments on the draft and it is finalized considering their feedback. The advocate then takes the final draft to the office and a report is published. The department then prepares a report then forwards to the office for making of a final decision.

EIA is widely accepted in the modern environment as a process of decision making. Its results and the entire process may be associated with some problems. These problems may include public confusion, cost due to the environment and how effective the entire process is and how it helps in the decision-making process. Morris and Arts (2004) EIA is regarded as a scheme of information and not a law like the pollution law. Because it is a process of decision making, there are many processes which occur and may end up confusing the public especially when the process gives negative results. It does not allow the public to make decisions at the beginning of the process the collection of information becomes another problem when it comes to decision making.

The other pitfall is that there is a limitation in future prediction. A particular capacity is compelled in the desire without limits. Marshall et al. (2005 p. 96) On the other hand after the bearing of contamination law and specialists, in most of the structured EIS, the impact of the gauge and projection of entire process which presents numerical data, graphical depiction and drawing of maps and in light of a legitimate concern for that there is require in quality factor in information which is available for the all-inclusive community and boss. Alder et al. (2000 p. 112 ) in the phony presentation of the various EIAs, analysts, preservationists, and boss reliably fells question in that.

It has been proven that not all people benefit equally from the preservation, protection, and provision of a good environment. Therefore to solve these issues there are two possible ways. Rajvanshi (2008) the first way is to let any person with interest to the environmental outcomes to pay for the attainment of those outcomes. This can be done by either some groups coming together to buy properties with their aim being to protect the environmental outcomes. Glasson (1994 p. 319) The other way is that the government to own the properties of the environment directly. This can be done if the government pays the proponents of the projects to take care of the environment.

Strategy to control the reduction in energy demand from consumers during peak time

The main objectives of the study are:

1. To study the significant environmental effects of the proposed changes.
2. To evaluate and choose the best project alternatives from  various given options
3. To study the environment based costs of the proposed actions to the economy

The aim of this study is to ensure that the impacts of the proposed actions on the park values are identified in a proper way and that considerations are made before making the final decision.

Christmas Island Game Park is a reserve protected by the environment and conservation of biodiversity Act (EPBC Act) 1999. Proposed actions that are not controlled by the EPBC Act are assessed by Parks Australia. This activity is being proposed because there are threatened species in the national park. The National Park covers about 85 square kilometers of the total Island’s area. Humphreys (2006 p. 118) the park has several purposes which include to preserve the national condition of the area and to make sure the place is used appropriately, enjoyed and appreciated by the public.

The activity involves minor and major capital works such as infrastructure and maintenance, regular and common ongoing performances to enforce prescriptions in this plan such as road maintenance and permit issuing for the outlined activities in accordance to this plan.

The proposed action will need to be approved by the State and Shire of Christmas Island Legislation and will also need to be approved by the Indian Ocean Territories Administration. Assessment requirements are addressed through licenses, permit or lease.

Christmas Island Park is said to be the only park which is has declared and observed nature conservation on the Island. Turner et al. (2012) it has preserved some natural features which may include a large part has tropical rainforest habitat in the Island, it has some special species of wildlife which include 254 endemic taxa and 165 taxa  which are not found anywhere else in  Australia, it has a large population of land crabs and it has large coral reefs and which with over 600 species of fish.

The management of the Park has come up with policies which will help to monitor the threats to species, the natural vegetation, and the marine animals. These policies will include ;

1. Providing a limited number of visitors to the park.
2. Make the site to have limited access.
3. In order to make the visitors understand and appreciate the site, provide them with educational tour guides.
4. Maintain the ecological character of the site.
5. Maintenance of the facilities as well as the infrastructure to ensure ease of access to the site.
6. Involve the stakeholders in the maintenance and the mitigation of the involved risks.

Over many past years, many processes have been applied in order to lower the cost of energy. These processes have indicated how managing demand is important. O’faircheallaigh (2007 p. 332) consumers have had a tendency to reduce the use of energy, especially during peak times. This reduction in demand has had an effect on the prices. Storey and Noble (2004) management of demand, in general, can provide solutions to certain environmental problems. Some of the benefits associated with demand management are the overall consumption is reduced, air pollution is reduced especially in urban areas, transmission loss is generally reduced and it facilitates the generation of renewable energy and also electrical machines such as vehicles.

Youthed (2009 p. 62) in other countries, much of the power and energy is produced by cleanest generators. When the demand goes high then they switch on the old and less efficient generators. In connection with this, when the demand is reducing at peak times it can lead to the reduction of emissions by switching off the dirt plants. Morrison (2012 p. 82) the situation is very different in Australia where they get all their much power from generators fired by brown and black coal. Efficient and powerful generators are turned on when the demand for power is high. In this specific circumstance, lessening peak demand may really expand discharges by expanding the measure of interest met from dirty coal generators.

Economic tools can be used to deal with the problems facing the environment. In order to use resources in a sustainable manner, it will require to include the harmful health and costs associated with the environment in the set prices of items at market and services. Tomlinson and Atkinson (1987) the government can help in improving and sustaining the environment activities which benefit the environment and imposing taxes to pollutants of the environment. In this case, the government can impose the tax on activities which may lead to energy wastage such as spillage of oil. The costs of the air pollution due to the energy production should be increased.

Morrison et al. (2001 p. 92) Marketplace can be used to reduce wastage of resources and pollution. This can be done by use of incentive-based regulation such as the carbon tax and the emission trading scheme.

Reference

Ahammed, A.R. and Nixon, B.M., 2006. Environmental impact monitoring in the EIA process of South Australia. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 26(5), pp.426-447.

Albergaria, R. and Fidelis, T., 2006. Transboundary eia: Iberian experiences. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 26(7), pp.614-632.

Alder, J., Hilliard, R. and Pobar, G., 2000. Integrated marine planning for Cocos (Keeling), an isolated Australian atoll (Indian Ocean). Coastal Management, 28(1), pp.109-117.

Arts, J. and Morrison-Saunders, A., 2012. Introduction to EIA Follow-up. In Assessing Impact (pp. 22-42). Routledge.

Arts, J., Caldwell, P. and Morrison-Saunders, A., 2001. Environmental impact assessment follow-up: good practice and future directions—findings from a workshop at the IAIA 2000 conference. Impact assessment and project appraisal, 19(3), pp.175-185.

Baker, J., 2012. A practical framework for EIA follow-up. In Assessing Impact (pp. 63-83). Routledge.

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Humphreys, W.F., 2006. Aquifers: the ultimate groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Australian Journal of Botany, 54(2), pp.115-132.

Marshall, R., Arts, J. and Morrison-Saunders, A., 2005. International principles for best practice EIA follow-up. Impact assessment and project appraisal, 23(3), pp.175-181.

Morrison-Saunders, A. and Arts, J., 2004. Introduction to EIA follow-up. Assessing impact: handbook of EIA and SEA follow-up, pp.1-21.

Morrison-Saunders, A., 2012. Assessing impact: handbook of EIA and SEA follow-up. Earthscan.

Morrison-Saunders, A., Arts, J., Baker, J. and Caldwell, P., 2001. Roles and stakes in environmental impact assessment follow-up. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 19(4), pp.289-296.

Storey, K. and Noble, B.F., 2004. Increasing the utility of follow-up in Canadian EA: A review of requirements, concepts and experience. Research and Development Program, ed. CEA Agency. Hull, Quebec.

Tomlinson, P. and Atkinson, S.F., 1987. Environmental audits: a literature review. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 8(3), pp.239-261.

Turner, L.M., Webster, S.G. and Morris, S., 2012. Roles of crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone in ionic and metabolic homeostasis in the Christmas Island Blue crab Discoplax celeste. Journal of Experimental Biology, pp.jeb-078527.

Youthed, J.G., 2009. Assessing and managing the potential for compliance default of applications submitted in terms of South Africa’s environmental impact assessment regulations(Doctoral dissertation).