Impact of Population Growth on Energy Resources in Australia

This report delves into the significant trends of population growth and its impact on energy resources in Australia. It highlights the increasing population in major cities like Perth, driven by factors such as manufacturing activities in marine industries, oil, gas, and resource manufacturing. The report connects high-energy activities with population growth, emphasizing the dwindling effect of agricultural activities and the rise in manufacturing. It also explores the role of net overseas migration in population growth, the environmental pollution, and reduced water surfaces associated with increased immigration. The report further discusses the government's investment in sustainable resource management to meet population needs and the ongoing debate on the connection between population factors and energy supply, citing research on renewable energy. It also points out Australia's high per capita energy consumption compared to the rest of the world and the influence of governance principles on shaping future trends in relation to climate policy and resource variations caused by population migration. The report references various sources, including government reports, academic research, and discussions on climate change.

Population Growth and Energy Resources
Australia
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1. Important Trends
Population increase has an impact on sustainability. The research statistics in figure 1
indicates that the population in the cities is on a high increase. Perth shows the highest
increase because of various factors. The region is popular for its manufacturing activities
including marine industry, oil, gas and resource manufacturing (Government of Western
Australia, 2017). The research brings out the connection between high-energy activities and
high population factors.
Figure 1: Increased annual population highlights across Australia’s major cities
(Department of the Prime Minister, 2016)
Progressive years reveal the dwindling effect of agricultural, forestry and fishing activities,
which contributes to an increase in manufacturing activities. In support of a comparative
study by Sustainable Population Australia (SPA, 2017), SMC World (2017) discusses this
increase highlighting net overseas migration ( NOM) as a contributing factor to this
popuation growth in cities. According to the report, indviduals are repsonsible for the
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increase in environmental pollution, and reduced water surfaces. It also discusses the high
rate of immmigration in Australia which is higher than other parts of the world.
Figure 2: Trends in Economic activities in Australia (Department of the Prime Minister,
2016)
Sustainability and population
Research indicates a connection between clean energy and economic factors such as
industrialization (Santamouris, 2013). Since 2012, the Australian government continues to
invest heavily in sustainable management of natural resources in order to meet the population
needs (Australian Government, 2017). The table below shows progressive increase in
regional budget estimates by the government.
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Figure 3: Government budget for regional and non-regional spending in sustainability
(Australian Government, 2017)
Figure 4: Australian statistics showing ignorance on climate change factors (JoNova, 2015)
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The raging debate on the connection between population factors and energy supply continues
(JoNova, 2015: Brynes, Brown, Foster, & Wagner, 2013). The 2015 discusion by JoNova
cites IPSOS 2015 climate change research which identifies renewable energy as a priority
action element in climate change. Figure 4 above shows this discussion in that 43% of
Australians are unsure of whether climate change is as a result of human activity or nature
effects. The findings in academic research support this and recognize the human action for
and against renewable energy use.
The high population increase in Australia leads to high energy consumption as shown in the
figure below. Per capita consumption rate places Australia among the highest in consumtion
in the world (Australia, 2016). Figure 5 highlights this comparison of Australia and other
parts of the world.
Further research featuring the connection between population increase and environmental
effects stating that governance principles are important in shaping future trends (Abel, et al.,
2011). In this research, population influences climate policy due to climate climate change
patterns that have a effect on resources. The migration of population is a major cause of
these variations.
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Figure 5: comparison of Australia and global energy consumption trends (Australia, 2016)
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References
Abel, N., Gorddard, R., Harman, B., Leich, A., Langridge, J., Ryan, A., & Heyenga, S.
(2011). Sea level rise, coastal development and planned retreat: analytical framework,
governance and an Australian case study. Environmental Science & Policy, 14(3),
279-288.
Australia, R. B. (2016, June). The future of energy demand and implication in Australia.
Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Retrieved October 5, 2017, from
http://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2016/sp-so-2016-06-21.html
Australian Government. (2017). Sustainability, environment, water, population and
communities. Retrieved October 5, 2017, from Budget 2012-2013:
http://www.budget.gov.au/2012-13/content/ministerial_statements/rural_and_regional
/image/rural_and_regional-21.gif
Brynes, L., Brown, C., Foster, J., & Wagner, L. D. (2013). Australian renewable energy
policy: Barriers ad challenges. Renewable energy, 60, 711-721.
Department of the Prime Minister. (2016). Smart Cities Plan. Retrieved from Commonwealth
of Australia: https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/htmlfile
Government of Western Australia. (2017). Major Industries. Retrieved from Department of
jobs, tourism, service, science and innovation: http://www.watoindia.in/wa/html/wa-
majorindustries.htm
JoNova. (2015, May). Most Australians are skeptical: Mankind is not main driver of the
climate change. Retrieved from Jonova: http://joannenova.com.au/2015/05/most-
australians-are-skeptical-mankind-is-not-main-driver-of-the-climate/
Santamouris, M. (2013). Energy and climate in the urban built environment. Routledge.
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SMC World. (2017, June 30). Australias alarming high population growth rate. Retrieved
from Sustainability Matters:
http://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/sustainability/news/australia-s-
alarmingly-high-population-growth-130017494
SPA. (2017). Australian Population. Retrieved from SPA: https://population.org.au/
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