The Politics of Climate Change and Social Policy in Australia

This research paper explores the development of climate policy in Australia, considering social policy and climate policy approaches. It investigates the preference for environmental policy and the role of social welfare in environmental policy establishment success. The study revealed that a policy mechanism that involved social welfare was preferred. The paper also discusses the factors considered when translating the paper to a lay audience, including the key concepts that were translated and the role of the write-up in the translation process.

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TITLE OF THE PAPER
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The Politics of Climate Change and Social Policy in Australia
PART A: A CONVERSATION
The research paper “The Politics of Climate Change and Social Policy in Australia” is about the
development of a climate policy. While acknowledging the challenges in the in addressing
environmental concerns, the researcher considers two approaches to development of an
environmental policy; social policy and climate policy. The social policy is an approach which
promotes environmental protection concerns that care for the societal needs. Climate policy on
the other hand is concerned with global issues in the long term. The research is done on the
backdrop of debates on market mechanisms to combat climate change. However, concerns about
the costing aspect where the market approach externalized environmental costs, consequently,
some scholars had suggested that internalizing the costs would produce more enduring results in
climate change management.
Social policy and climate change policy approaches are believed to hold the answer to climate
change management. Proponents off social policy opine that it has appealing dividends to the
beneficiaries. Countries that subscribe to the social welfare model have been found to obtain
better results in environmental initiatives by incorporating welfare into environmental policies.
Such a policy framework lays emphasis on the social needs of the people like food and the
elimination of poverty. Climate policy, on the other hand is concerned with the wider goals of
climate policy.
Implementing policy towards climate change does not appeal to the local people because it does
not deliver immediate benefits to the people. Such a policy will have to be driven by the

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government because of its obligations in the world. Proponents of climate policy desire an
arrangement where the government is the driver of the process because of the extensive
resources required to implement its obligations.
How it was Investigated
In order to establish the preference for environmental policy, the researcher categorized the
respondents into classes of voters depending on their views on environment. A percentage figure
was taken from the sample of voters ranging from 1990 to 2007. Respondents from 1990 were
evaluated without reference to any time period while those that belonged to 2007 were
questioned about environmental matters relating to election campaigns. In a second exercise,
respondents were asked whether they preferred a cut in taxes or increase spending on social
amenities. Another set of respondents were asked about their priorities from a list that included
global warming.
Findings
The study revealed that 62% of the respondents preferred actions on climate change that were
accompanied by social spending while of those that did not consider action as a priority
supported social spending. These figures reveal that a large number of proponents that support
social spending comprise those that support action on climate change. Nevertheless, a significant
figure of those that do not support action also support social spending. These statistics show that
there is a high preference for social spending. It shows that people are not as concerned about the
global consequences of climate policy as they are concerned about their welfare. Social spending

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involves such sectors as education and health that are central to the wellbeing of society. A social
policy framework was therefore preferred in climate management for Australia
PART B: REFLECTION
Factors considered when translating to the lay audience
My priority in translating the paper was to gain an understanding of the main theme of the report.
In this regard, I was conscious that they do not understand the jargon of environmental issues
expressed in the paper. Breaking down the paper into simple English was therefore essential to
the creation of understanding by the lay audience. In addition, I considered the span of
concentration and the need for clarification. Consequently, I chose a write a 500 word article so
that they can refer and interact with the material as they seek to understand the concept.
I considered clarity of communication and as such, I communicated the critical facts to the
research directly. I thus declined to lay emphasis on points and sifted out the major points of the
article. The main article contains statistics and philosophical views by the various parties to
climate change but I chose to stick to the main ideas in the article. The lay audience was
interested in understanding the purpose and results of the study and for this reason; I chose to
maintain focus in presenting the central ideas to the study. The educational level of an audience
is critical and I therefore carefully chose the vocabulary to use in order to communicate the
concepts with clarity.
I used a 500-word article to translate the journal to the lay audience because of the need to keep a
record. Written messages are clear and the audience can make reference and transfer the message

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to other interested parties. Writing is an engaging exercise and enables both the author and the
audience to reflect of the ideas in a more focused way. I considered that the lay audience may not
process information at the same speed and in this regard, in felt that it will be unfair to subject
them to either a video presentation or an audio file that will require their concentrated listening
skills. I felt that it will be better for the members of the audience to digest through the ideas
presented at their own pace so as to fully comprehend the importance of an environmental policy
in Australia.
The primary research was done in a written form and it was easier for me to countercheck the
points as I present them in a similar format. For the respondent, the written report was
convenient and could be stored in a variety of forms. Some of the media through which written
documents can be stored include computer storage and physical records in filing cabinets. In case
of destruction of the materials, the individual can easily obtain another copy through minimal
expenditure. This is distinguished from an audio or PowerPoint presentation where the audience
may not carry the material for future reference because of logistical challenges.
Time is a precious resource and was a critical consideration when translating the material to the
lay audience. This method enabled the researcher to spend least time in preparing for the
presentation. Other forms of presentation including PowerPoint and audio require specialized
equipment and several trials before the final product can be presented to the audience. A
presenter who uses written material is not limited by such inconveniences and all he requires is
writing material and the reference document.
Cost of production and presentation was also a major consideration when choosing the written
communication. A researcher does not need to prepare for big spending when preparing a written

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presentation. In the simplest terms, the researcher can use a pen and a writing pad which have the
least cost implication. However, written reports can be done on a variety of tools including
computers and iPods. In addition, the researcher can carry out this exercise alone. Unlike the
other two methods, written communication does not require assistance from other individuals. To
make a PowerPoint presentation, the presenter may require the services of someone else to help
in setting up the projector and the storage devise. Similarly, audio recording may require a studio
in order to deliver quality work. In addition, more equipment is required as an interface between
the communication gadget and the audience. The inconveniences of using other presentation
forms informed the choice of a written material for delivering information on climate matters to
a lay audience.
Key Concepts to be Translated
The paper revolved around climate change issues and in this regard, I had to define the major
concepts related to climate and policy. At the beginning of the paper, issues regarding social
policy and climate policy were addressed. I felt that these concepts were central to the
understanding of the paper and for this reason, I clearly examined their differences. In addition I
explored the concept of social welfare as concerns environmental policy establishment success. I
felt that an understanding of the concept of welfare will created an appreciation among the
respondents for the preference of social spending by the Australians as indicated in the paper.
Apart from the climate jargon, I broke down the procedure of research without getting into
details of how the statistics were collected. Although data collection procedures are complicated
and may not appeal to a lay audience, I felt that a proper understanding of the procedure will
yield greater appreciation for the findings of the study. Regarding the findings, I avoided the

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specific results for each exercise in the procedure and presented the final result in line with the
purpose of the study. The study required obtaining the opinion of Australians regarding the
various approaches to environmental policy and it yielded the overall conclusion that a policy
mechanism that involved social welfare was preferred. I presented these results to the audience
in a simple manner so as to avoid ambiguity in reporting.
The role of the Write-up in my Translation
The 500-word essay was meant to create a precise but summarized presentation of the research
to a lay audience. The write-up was brief enough to create attention and also cover the main
ideas in the paper comprehensively. The write-up was meant to help the audience keep a record
of the discussions and take interact with the material in a relaxed manner. In addition, written
material inspires confidence as they are considered official. The 500 word document can thus be
stirred in a recognized official format that cannot easily be tampered. PowerPoint and audio
presentations are electronic materials that can easily be altered for malicious reasons. In addition,
they can be destroyed by viruses and other harmful programs. The members of the audience were
encouraged to keep their physical copies as a point of reference incase electronic sources fail.
Although modern technology allows the retrieval of files even after the destruction of the storage
devices, such files may have been corrupted or altered. Consequently, retrieved electronic
sources have to be verified with the original document. The written record therefore served the
purpose of longevity and authenticity for the lay audience.
A written record can be replicated to other studies in order to develop a mastery of the subjects
of the study. The audience can have the opportunity to reflect upon the concepts shared
indifference contexts. In addition, written records can be verified in comparison with the primary

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material. Some materials are protected by copyrights and in this regard, it is easier to stay within
the copyright laws with a written document rather than electronic materials. The research paper
was about politics and is an ongoing discussion. In this regard, the facilitator may want to extend
the debate among the respondents, in this regard; a written material will be easier to enable group
discussion than any other form.
The ease of presentation makes written material superior than other forms. The five hundred
page document can be presented in any place regardless pod the presence of electricity or
supporting devises. This form of communication allows versatility and can be presented in a
wide spectrum of audiences from board rooms with modern presentation equipment to simple
audiences of farmers gathered under a shade. Furthermore, the presenter can decide to read it out
or could distribute it to a busy audience for reference at a later stage. The dynamism allowed by
the use of written material therefore makes this methodology an ideal choice in delivery of
information to a lay audience.
Conclusion
The medium used to communicate to an audience must be sensitive to their ability to
comprehend the ideas conveyed. In this regard, communicators must be cognizant of the age and
educational levels of the respondents in a communication exercise and customize the message
for comprehension. A written document was preferred for this task because it appealed to the
audience because they only had a basic understanding of climate issues. Communication must
target at passing the intended message in a form that is consistent with the situation of the
audience.