Steering Australia to sustainability: 2050 and beyond

Governor-General Quentin Bryce AC CVO today launched a new book from the Australian Academy of Science, designed to guide Australia’s approaches to long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Oceans and atmospheric expert Dr Mike Raupach FAA has led a 35-strong team of senior and emerging natural and social scientists to respond to the threats posed to Australia by rising sea levels, uncertain food and water security, and an ageing population.

‘Negotiating our future: Living scenarios for Australia to 2050’ proposes tools and approaches to ensure Australia’s social, economic and environmental sustainability to 2050 and beyond.

“To steer a path through obstacles and opportunities, we need to understand the realities that confront us - realities which point to profound changes in the world and in Australia,” Dr Raupach said at the book launch at the academy’s Shine Dome in Canberra.

“To think about the future we need the best insights that science can offer, to steer a pathway through the challenges and to reach a workable agreement for the whole of our society.

“This book is about how living scenarios can develop and evolve to support coherent society-wide responses to the great challenges facing Australia - resilience, sustainability and equity.”

The book sets out tools and approaches for the whole of society to work together to determine what a future Australia will look like and how to get there. It includes tools for approaching sustainability from a range of perspectives, including:

• Resilience in the face of shocks
• Climate change and energy pressures
• Population issues
• Economic uncertainties
• Social justice and equity

“This is a project of vision and courage: it extends our boundaries and allows Australia to take control of how it approaches the future despite the many uncertainties with which we live,” said Professor Suzanne Cory, president of the academy.

The book and its companion volume are available at http://www.science.org.au/policy/australia-2050/index.html.