Summary

Mining is an important part of Australia’s economy. It is their major export revenue. Their dilemma is that they are depleting resource that their economy depends upon and that are not renewable. Renewable resources can be exploited as long as there is a renewal process that is closely adhered to. Unfortunately, Australia is using up its renewable resources at a rate faster than they can be recovered. Australia is a first world country but is much smaller and has a population that is less dense than most other advanced nations.

Australia’s environment is very fragile. Only Iceland’s is more so. Australia is suffering from overgrazing, salinization, severe erosion, water shortages and droughts that more typically impact third world countries. There is more hope for Australia than other countries with their problems. Their people are educated and live high lifestyles...