Australia’s environment is inextricably linked to the economy and the wellbeing of Australians. The environment provides the raw materials and energy for the production of goods and services that produce economic growth which supports people's lifestyles. However, economic activities and consumption patterns also have environmental consequences. How the environment is managed has implications for the social, economic and environmental outcomes of present and future generations.
It is not possible to cover all of the complex interactions between the economy, society and the environment in this chapter. What follows is a selection of information on the environmental views and behaviours of Australian households and information on Australia's total assets and environmental assets. The following chapter
Water, land and air provides information on water use and its availability in Australia; the management of land resources; the effects of land use on biodiversity; waste generation and recycling; greenhouse gas emissions and their link to global warming and climate change; and air quality.
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