Advice on Australian Economic Development and Nature Resource Utilization

曲惠宇

摘 要：自然資源為澳大利亞的經濟發展做出了巨大貢獻。然而，過度依賴自然資源勢必沒有未來。本文旨在為澳大利亞如何正確、適當地依靠天然優勢發展經濟提出合理建議。

關鍵詞：澳大利亞;經濟發展;自然資源;建議

Abstract：Natural resources bring enormous benefits to Australian economic development. However， excessive dependence on natural resources will definitely lead to no future. This essay tries to give some rational advice on how to properly rely on the natural advantage， abundant natural resources， to develop Australian economy.

Key Words： Australia; economy development; natural resources， advice

I. Background

Australia is not only the largest exporting country of wool and beef but also the significant producer and exporter of mineral in the world. The great contribution of natural resources to Australian economic development can be summarized by Australias "nickname"： a country riding on the sheeps back， sitting on the mine car and holding grain in hand. However， Australian people have to realize that totally relying on natural resources will not only prevent economy from moving forward but also gradually destroy the ecological balance. Therefore， it is necessary to give advice on how to guarantee an appropriate and reasonable relationship between natural resources and economic development.

II. Personal Advice

2.1 Promoting the awareness of environmental protection to visitors

Since 1960s， Australia has enacted legislation for environmental protection， which makes Australia become one of the earliest countries to introduce this type of law. More importantly and effectively， Australia brings almost all the relative industries of environmental protection under the governance of laws through legislation. As a result， Australian public awareness of environmental protection has been raised to a large degree. But how about visitors from other countries？

In recent years， more and more visitors come to Australia. On one hand， tourism does help promote Australian economic development. On the other hand， tourism may result in the excessive exploitation of natural resources， leading economic downturn in the end. Foreign visitors from some countries do not own the awareness of environmental protection as deeply as Australian citizens. Non-degradable materials like plastic bags are thrown almost everywhere， which is definitely hazardous to the ecological environment. This kind of phenomenon will gradually impede Australian economic development. As a result， Australia should promote the awareness of environmental protection of not only citizens but also foreign visitors.

Although it is unlikely to make a special law targeting foreign visitors in consideration of their short duration of staying in Australia， making some environmental regulations is still necessary. Australian government can promote environmental protection to foreign visitors both materially and spiritually. On the material level， natural scenic places should establish penalty systems. Visitors who destroy natural resources and environment must be fined. The amount of fine should be reasonable， since too little can not achieve the goal while too much will lessen visitor numbers and hinder tourism development. On the spiritual level， an atmosphere should be created that all citizens take active part in environmental protection， which can promote the concept of environmental protection to visitors unconsciously. For example， restaurants should decline disposable tableware and markets should offer paper bags. By promoting the awareness of environmental protection to foreign visitors， tourism can accelerate economic growth in a better way.

2.2 Developing science and technology

For Australia， developing science and technology are not only for keeping pace with the world but also， and more importantly， for escaping the resource curse.

It is generally considered that in order to live a comfortable life， Australian people can simply go to mine and let the sheep graze freely on grasslands. However， if Australia does follow this pattern-totally relying on natural resources， the resource curse will definitely fall onto Australia. Therefore， Australia should pay more attention to high-tech development， which can protect natural resources better and help economic growth as well. In agriculture and animal husbandry， high technology can help establish a better farming and breeding system to build a harmonious balance between utilizing natural resources and developing national economy. For mining industry， developing the high-tech smelting process can boost economy more effectively and protect environment better. To conclude， Australia should pursue the proper balance between economic growth and natural resource conservation through developing science and technology.

III. Conclusion

With abundant natural resources， how to guarantee an appropriate and reasonable relationship between natural resources and economic development becomes a vital issue for Australia people and government. This essay gives two advice on this issue： promoting the awareness of environmental protection to foreign visitors and developing science and technology. For Australia， there is nothing wrong with utilizing its natural resources to develop economy. But totally relying on them will result in a tragic ending. Therefore， it is necessary for Australia to find a way of utilizing its natural resources to develop economy effectively and rationally without destroying ecological environment.

[References]

[1]Hajkowicz， Stefan. "The evolution of Australias natural resource management programs： Towards improved targeting and evaluation of investments." Land Use Policy 26.2（2009）：0-478.

[2]He Longde. "Australia's measures and experience in ecological and environmental protection." Journal of Changsha University of Science and Technology （Social Science） 6（2014）：48-52.

（作者單位：華東師范大學外語學院，上海 200241）