Issues
Three pillars of sustainability
Enviornemntal pillar
This pilar refers to the ability of natural systems to continue functioning without being depleted or degraded over time
environmental refers to the ability of nattual systems to ocntinue functioning wihtout being dpeted or drgaede voer time.
enrivoenmtla refers tot heabtliy of naturla ssytmes to contunue funcitonf wiht being dlepted or dreagrde dcvoer time
environetmal refrs the tohe abitlyi of antula ystem to keepig funton wihtout being drgeate and dpelted ove tioem.
environemtla refrs to the abiltiy of natural sytme to keep fucntioning wiht being drgarede and elpted voertime
Social pillar
this pillars refers to the ability of a society to meet the basic needs of its meebrs, while promoting fairness, inclusion, equity and social justice both for now and future generations
social refrs to the abiltiy of asociety meet to the basioc needs of it mebrs while pormtoign fainess inlsuion, equity andsocial jsutic both for now and future genratipns
the abiltiy of a mspciety too mete the absic needs to itmebrs hwie prting fairness euailty nsuion spcial bith for both now and fute enrgation \
spcial reerfs tot he bitliy of a soceity to meet th ebasic mneeds of ti mebrs while prmitng nlsun, eauity, socia juastive for btoh it nwo and futur egenratin
social refrts to the abiltiy of a msociety tommeet the basic needs of it menbers while also pormitign fianres inlsuin, euaity and soianclajsutive for both now and futre genraitn
social pilar refrs to the biltiy of a socreity to meet the dbaic eneds of it mebrs whiel pormting fiarness, oclsuon, euit andsocial sjtive for both nwoa ndnfuture gernatins
Economic pillar
This pillar refers to the ability of an economy to provide jobs, income and resources for its citizens ina way that is financially viable
econoic refes ont he abiltiy of an econmy to povide jbs , income and reosurers for it cistine in a way that is foianncvualy viavle
econmic refers to the abiltuy of an economy to pirde jobs, income and roeusces for its ixitioens in way that if ifnacilly vibale
econmiy refgers tot eh qilty of an economy to povide jobs andincome to its itens in away that fianvially viavke
tcmy refrs tot he the abitlyif p a. eocmy to povide jobs, inoer and roeusrces to it itne in away that is finaniclay ivabelk
the combnomy pillar fefrs the abiltiy of an eocdnomy to provide jobsicoem and reosufces to its xiitns ina fway thats financvially viabel
economy piallra erfes the bitlyofpna aneconomy to prpbide jhobs incom N feosuces to tis citnes ita cway that finalcyh vigale
Sustainability
About meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Means balancing
economic, environmental and social factos
so that we can create beter world for ev everyone, now and in the future
Nuclear Power
Common Locations
Near large water sources such as oceans, lakes or rivers
Away from densely populated urban areas
In geologically stable regions with low earthquake risk
Why?
Nuclear plants need huge amounts of water for cooling
Safety regulations require secure, stable locations
Large exclusion zones reduce risks to nearby populations
Example Factors
Access to transmission lines
Stable ground conditions
Emergency evacuation planning
Coal Power
Common Locations
Near coal mines
Close to transport routes such as railways and ports
Near water sources for cooling
Why?
Transporting coal is expensive
Being close to mines reduces costs
Water is needed to cool equipment and produce steam
Example Factors
Existing industrial infrastructure
Access to workers and energy networks
Wind Energy
Common Locations
Coastal regions
Open plains
Hilltops and elevated areas
Offshore locations
Why?
These areas have strong, consistent winds
Higher wind speeds generate more electricity
Example Factors
Distance from homes due to noise concerns
Space for large turbines
Connection to transmission networks
Solar Energy
Common Locations
Dry, sunny regions
Flat open land
Areas with high solar radiation
Why?
More sunlight increases electricity production
Flat land allows easier installation of solar panels
Example Factors
Large land availability
Low cloud cover
Access to electricity grids
Hydroelectric Power
Common Locations
Rivers with strong water flow
Mountainous areas
Valleys suitable for dams and reservoirs
Why?
Flowing water is needed to turn turbines
Height differences increase energy generation
Example Factors
Reliable rainfall
Large water catchments
Environmental impacts on river ecosystems
Gas Power
Common Locations
Near gas fields or pipelines
Close to cities and industrial areas
Near ports for imported gas
Why?
Easier fuel transport and supply
Gas plants are often used to quickly meet high electricity demand
Example Factors
Existing pipeline infrastructure
Access to cooling water
Proximity to electricity demand
Environmental Factors
These relate to impacts on ecosystems, climate and natural resources.
Advantages of renewable energy
Lower greenhouse gas emissions
Reduced air pollution
Helps slow climate change
Uses naturally replenished resources such as sunlight and wind
Limitations
Wind farms can affect birds and local habitats
Solar farms require large areas of land
Hydroelectric dams can disrupt river ecosystems and fish migration
Mining for batteries requires metals such as lithium and cobalt
Economic Factors
These relate to money, jobs and the economy.
Advantages
Renewable industries create new jobs
Lower long-term electricity costs once infrastructure is built
Reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels
Limitations
Very expensive to build renewable infrastructure initially
Energy storage systems and transmission lines cost billions
Fossil fuel industries may lose jobs during the transition
Social Factors
These relate to people and communities.
Advantages
Cleaner air improves public health
More sustainable future for younger generations
Some regional areas benefit from new employment opportunities
Limitations
Communities may oppose nearby wind farms or transmission towers
Indigenous land rights and cultural heritage may be affected
Rising electricity prices during transition periods can impact households
stakeholders
Government
Wants to reduce emissions and meet climate targets
Needs to ensure energy security and affordability
Energy companies
Aim to maximise profit and ensure stable investment returns
Prefer predictable regulatory environments
Local communities
May support clean energy but oppose nearby projects due to:
visual pollution (wind turbines/solar farms)
noise concerns
changes to local character
land use conflicts
Farmers / landowners
May benefit financially from leasing land for wind or solar
But may lose productive agricultural land or face land-use restrictions
Environmental groups
Support renewable energy for reducing emissions
But may oppose projects that harm ecosystems or wildlife habitats
nuclear energy
How it works
Uranium atoms are split in a process called nuclear fission
This releases a huge amount of heat
Heat boils water into steam
Steam spins a turbine
Generator produces electricity
Nuclear fission → heat → steam → electricity
Advantages
Very low greenhouse gas emissions
Reliable (24/7 baseload power)
Very high energy output from small fuel amounts
Small land footprint compared to renewables
Limitations
Extremely expensive to build
Very long construction time (10–15+ years)
Produces radioactive waste (long-term storage required)
Risk of accidents (low probability, high impact)
Public opposition and safety concerns
How batteries work
Electricity stored chemically
Charged when excess energy is available
Discharged when needed
Electricity → chemical → electricity
How pumped hydro works (PHES)
Extra electricity pumps water uphill
Water stored in upper reservoir
Released to spin turbines when needed
Electricity → stored water → electricity
Advantages
Solves intermittency of renewables
Batteries respond instantly (grid stability)
PHES provides large-scale storage
Essential for renewable transition
Limitations
Batteries are expensive
Require mining of rare materials (lithium, cobalt)
Environmental impacts from extraction
PHES needs specific geography
Energy losses in storage
hydroelectric power
How it works
Water stored in dam (potential energy)
Released water flows through turbines
Generator produces electricity
Stored water → kinetic energy → electricity
Advantages
Reliable and controllable
Very low emissions
Can act as energy storage
Long lifespan
Limitations
Floods ecosystems/land
High upfront cost
Drought dependent
Limited suitable locations
gas enbergy
How it works
Natural gas is burned
Hot gases spin a turbine OR
Waste heat produces extra steam (combined cycle)
Chemical → turbine → electricity
Advantages
Lower emissions than coal
Flexible (can quickly adjust output)
Good backup for renewables
Limitations
Still produces greenhouse gases
Methane leaks during extraction
Non-renewable
Price fluctuations
coal energy
How it works
Coal is burned (combustion)
Heat boils water into steam
Steam spins a turbine
Generator produces electricity
Chemical → heat → steam → electricity
Advantages
Reliable baseload power
Established infrastructure
Relatively cheap (existing plants)
Limitations
Very high greenhouse gas emissions
Air pollution (health impacts)
Non-renewable
Mining damage to land/ecosystems
wind energyt
Also produces near-zero emissions during operation
Can generate large amounts of electricity in suitable locations
Land between turbines can often still be used for farming or grazing
Reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels
How it works
Wind turns turbine blades
Shaft spins generator
Electricity is produced
Wind → motion → electricity
Advantages
Very low emissions
Renewable
Land can still be used (farming)
Limitations
Intermittent (wind dependent)
Noise and visual impacts
Wildlife impacts (birds/bats)
Needs large spacing
solar energy
photovoltaic panels absorb sunlight
Light energy frees electrons in silicon
An electric current is produced
An inverter converts DC --> AC electricity
sunlight - electrons - electricty
Advantages
Very low emissions
Renewable and abundant
Low running costs
Rooftop + large-scale use
Limitations
Intermittent (night/clouds)
Needs storage or backup
Large land use for farms
strategies to reduce landfill and support a circular economy include:
recycling systems
composting organic waste
reusing and repairing products
designing products to last longer
sharing economies eg bike share, tool libraries
circular economy
principles
designs out waste (eliminate waste and pollution out current system of take, make waste econmty extract raw materials creates products and the discards this waste, often landfilled or incenrated represents lost resources. This sytem is unsustainble due to finite planetary resources.)
keeps materials in use (circulate products and materials at their highest value, involves keeping them in use as products, components or raw materials, preventing waste and retaining their intrinsic worth)
regenerates natural systems (by moving from a take make waste linear economy to a circular economy, we support a natural processes and leave more room for nature to thrive)
waste management challenges
population growth
high consumption rates
reliance on disposable products
limited landfill space
organic waste in landfill relases methane a powerful greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.
linear economy
take
make
use
dispose
Key Characteristics:
High resource extraction
Short product lifespans
Waste sent to landfill
Link to Sustainability:
Inefficient resource use
Environmental degradation/
Victoria generates millions of tonnes of waste each year, with large volumes still going to landfill.
Population growth and consumption are increasing
China’s “National Sword” policy exposed how dependent Australia was on exporting waste - 2017
Waste contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect - methane.
real-world scenarios
bus rapid transit - lagos
using dedicated bus lanes to move large numbers of passengers more efficiently
advantages:
reduced congestion
faster travel times
cheaper than building train systems
improved transport access for lower-income residents
limitations:
It can still become overcrowded
Requires strong government investment and maintenance
(Improving public transport can reduce reliance on private vehicles)
the big dig - boston
moved a major freeway undergroud to reduce congestion and reconnect parts of the city divided by highways
advantages:
reduced surface traffic congestion
improved walkability and public spaces
reduced visual pollution from elevated freeways
limitations:
extremely expensive
long construction delays
significant disruption during construction
(highlights how large infrastructure projects involve economic, social and environmental trade offs)
electronic road pricing - singapore
signapore charges drivers money to use busy roads during peak periods using electronic toll systems.
advantages:
reduces unnecessary car trips
encourages public transport use
effectively manages congestion
limitations:
can disadvantage lower income drivers
requries advanced technology systems
(government can influence transport behaviour using economic strategies)
licence plate lottey - beijing
beijing limits the number of new cars through a lottery system for licence plates
advantages:
slows growth in car ownership
reduces future congestion growth
helps reduce air pollution
limitations:
considered unfair by some residents
does not reduce congestion from existing vehicles
(government may directly limit car ownership)
Radial=into the CBD. Melbourne's highways and trains were designed this way because most trips were into the city.
Orbital=Around the CBD. The blue lines are people who are not travelling to the city but to the outskirts
Melbourne’s train network is primarily radial, meaning it focuses on transporting people into and out of the CBD.
However, many modern trips are orbital, travelling between suburbs rather than into the city centre.
This mismatch creates congestion because people travelling between suburbs often rely on cars and major freeways such as the Monash Freeway (M1).
transport equity refers to wheter all people have fair acces to safe, afforable and reliable tranport regardless of income, age or physical ability.
outer suburban residents are often more car dependent bc public transport infrastrcutre is weaker outside inner melb
this creates social inequality because people without cars may experience reduced acces to jobs,education,healthcare and social opportunities.
this car dependency means the people in without a car are left out if they cannot drive
Public transport is available, but can quadruple the commute, require frequent changes between transport types and become expensive.
Walking and cycling are cheap, but can be dangerous and inaccessible especially for the elderly or people living with disabilities.
phantom traffic jams can occur even without an accident because small disruptions (such as braking) create a ripple effect through dense traffic systems.
Induced demand means that when new lanes or roads are added, more people choose to drive, eventually filling the extra space and causing congestion to return.
urban sprawl
post war melbourne population quadrupled , melb spread outwards in an example of urban sprawl. This was facilitated by the development of our early train systems, which at the times were fit for purpose - most jobs were in the CBD. Overtime, however, the urban sprawl moved jobs, development of industrial ciites meant that not everyone needed to travel to the city but the roads and train infrastrcture was still designed to take people into and out of the CBD.
consequences of melborunes current system
high levels of congestion
car dependency due to participation in work and social life
reduces transport equity bc ppl w/o acces to a car may struggle to acces to employment, education and healthcare
limited bike infrastructure, mainly contained to wealthier inner city suburbs
difficults to navigate as a pedestrian, especially around highways
heavy traffic and noise pollution reducing quality of life
limited services outside of peak times
public transport designed to take ppl into the city
reduced free time and increased strees from extended commutes
increased greenhouse gas emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles contribute to climate change and the enhanced greenhouse effect
urban heat island effect from size of roads
air pollution from traffic can negatively impact human health, especially respiratory health
large roads and stroads create unsafe environments with many conflicts points between cars, cyclists and pedestrains.
Stroads: a street thats designed as a road
Roads: a highspped conntecton between two places straight with gentle curves
Streets: A complex emviroemnt where life in the city happens