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Tuesday, 28 October 2008 23:46

Australian Population Association, Demographic Facts

The population projections in it are unfortunately not based on the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics projections - but it is hoped that the APA Council will consider doing an update to reflect the newer projections in due course.

There has been an impressive effort to keep the language as user-friendly as possible for the lay audience, with a lot of plain English. the The style is colloquial and where technical terms are used they are explained clearly. The sections on ageing, and the explanation of why populations with below-replacement fertility still grow are especially good.

The booklet does not take a position on ecological sustainability (it is neutral on sustainable population size), but instead says that the population can't grow forever & looks at the demographic consequences of putting the brakes on by different methods.

It has further reading lists for each section, & quite a few graphs & charts. It is fully downloadable with 'Acrobat'.
It is slightly out of date on a few things, such as -

  • it says Australia's population is 18.5M whereas it is actually over 19M
  • the net migration gain figures quoted are a fair bit lower than our current 100,000 p.a.
  • as mentioned, the population projections are a bit out of date, probably because committees were involved and the work has been done over many months.

Nonetheless, it is very useful indeed as an easy to follow explanation of the main trends (past, present & future) & what's driving them. It will be terrific for the many, many students of non-demography subjects who are these days doing assignments on population eg those studying Geography, Environmental Management, Biology, & Australian Studies (at secondary school and at uni/TAFE). If you know members, other environmentalists, journos, teachers or students who you think would find it useful, you may wish to mention it to them.

Native Vegetation Clearance, Habitat Loss and Biodiversity Decline, Biodiversity Series, Paper No.6, Biodiversity Unity, Environment Sports and Territories, 1995. ISBN 064222698 9 (Free copy Tel. (008) 808 772.)
Uses satellite photographs in landmark assessment of state of Australia.

Graetz, R.D., Wilson, M.A., & Campbell, S.K., Landcover disturbance over the Australian Continent, a contemporary assessment, Biodiversity Series, Paper No.7, Biodiversity Unit, 1995. ISBN 0642 229058, Free copy Tel. (008) 808772
Uses satellite photographs in groundbreaking assessment of state of Australia.

Note: The Australian Family Planning Association provides great free information packages on demography, contraception etc.

 

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Population Quotes

The key to understanding overpopulation is not population density but the numbers of people in an area relative to its resources and the capacity of the environment to sustain human activities; that is, to the area’s carrying capacity. When is an area overpopulated? When its population can’t be maintained without rapidly depleting nonrenewable resources.... By this standard, the entire planet and virtually every nation is already vastly overpopulated. Paul R. Ehrlich

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Discover biodiversity - every day

 

Biodiversity is the backbone of all life on earth, and its conservation lies at the very core of IUCN’s work. ‘Species of the Day’ has been launched as part of IUCN’s involvement in the International Year of Biodiversity.

With mounting scientific evidence of a serious extinction crisis, it’s time to take action. “The latest analysis of the IUCN Red List shows the 2010 target to reduce biodiversity loss will not be met,” says Jane Smart, Director of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group. “It’s time for governments to get serious about saving species and make sure it’s high on their agendas for next year, as we’re rapidly running out of time.”

Each day of 2010 will see a different species featured on the IUCN website, with information on the threats it faces. The 365 species selected represent the entire range of taxonomic groups and cover all regions. We have started by featuring some better known species, including the Polar Bear and will move on to cover plants, fungi, invertebrates and more. Both charismatic and obscure species will be featured, providing an insight into the astonishing level of biodiversity that exists. 

 

 

If you would like to access the archived list of species go to www.iucnredlist.org/species-of-the-day/archives

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