In addition, river systems and groundwater supplies continue to be depleted at unsustainable rates in many parts of rural Australia, with major environmental consequences like algal blooms, rising salinity, and declining aquatic ecosystems. In our cities, loss of remnant vegetation continues apace, air pollution is perceived as a major threat, while stormwater and sewage and other waste disposal continue to have substantial adverse impacts on biodiversity and water quality. Invasive plants and animals also pose a serious and increasing threat to native ecosystems in rural, urban, and marine environments. Governments at all levels are working to meet these and other difficult environmental challenges. Through the Natural Heritage Trust in particular, the Commonwealth is providing an unprecedented degree of financial support to support a wide range of projects which respond effectively to the threats which have been identified as of greatest national concern.
Environmental issues are frequently complex and contested.
Research, invention, innovation and adaptation are all required. None are possible, let alone likely, without a clear understanding of the ecological and policy issues and linkages involved. Without a firm, educated basis of knowledge and understanding, progress on environmental issues becomes haphazard, uncertain and unlikely. We recognise the need to do more, we know many current environmental problems have solutions, but we often lack the information and understanding we need to effectively assess current environmental management practices, and plan for the future. The knowledge, values, skills and tools we need to meet environmental challenges are all sourced from formal and informal education.