Natural Heritage - Number 6
The Journal of the Natural Heritage Trust
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia
Department of the Environment and Heritage, Summer 2000
ISSN 1440-7256
PDF file
About this document
1999 was a stellar year for Australian sport with victories on the world stage in tennis, rugby, hockey, cricket and surfing, along with a swag of swimming world records.
Not surprisingly, these wins were rewarded with blanket media coverage, ticker-tape parades, and public receptions. In all the excitement, another of Australia's world-beating performances slipped by unnoticed. Australia finished last year with the best record in the world for the destruction of ozone-depleting halons, confirming our status as a world leader in ozone-related activities.
It has been a remarkable success story and it is just one of many environment issues where Australia receives more recognition abroad than it does at home. It is regrettable that as a nation we are not more forthcoming in acknowledging the things we do well in managing our environment. There are a host of environmental issues where Australia is either a world leader or respected in the international community as an active participant but is still viewed suspiciously or in a negative light at home.
This year, the international environmental spotlight will be on Australia like never before, providing us with a unique opportunity to showcase our passion, our expertise and our achievements. Along with the International Landcare Conference in March, Australia has been chosen to host this year's international activities to mark World Environment Day on June 5. We will also host the 52nd annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission and, at the end of the year, host the meeting of the World Heritage Bureau. Apart from all this we will be staging the first ever Green Olympics.
It has the potential to be a remarkable year - a year where the environment will be centre-stage as our nation expresses its aspirations for the new millennium. The question is: will we use this year to celebrate or denigrate our record of achievement?
When one turns the pages of this journal, that reveal the true spirit of the Australian environmental movement, not one of green activists or politicians, but of the grassroots, of everyday Australians who care about our land and our wildlife, one can be assured that the environmental future of our nation is in good hands.
Now, let the coming of the new millennium herald an era of pride in the achievements of every landcare worker and volunteer and farmer who is doing their bit for our environment. Let us acknowledge their work and be proud to proclaim it to the world.
Robert Hill
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Warren Truss
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
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