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Issue: General responses provided to improve the environment - Other responses

This is an issue under the Human settlements theme of the Data Reporting System.

Why we need to know about this issue

The willingness and ability to rise to the challenges posed by natural resource management will be influenced by the participation of industry, government and the public. An awareness of environmental issues and the relationship they have with lifestyle and economic well-being is a central requirement for effective engagement and informed management. Take-up of more resource efficient methods of utilising environmental services is an important human response to environmental pressures

Indicators

• HS-38 Energy efficiency in households 
  Energy use efficiency in households will help reduce the energy consumption in the residential sector.
• HS-44 Urban stormwater and wastewater reuse 
  Water is an important natural resource that supports both the environment and human settlements. It is of particular importance in Australia given the high level of variability in rainfall and current water resource management regimes. Water withdrawal is a major pressure on freshwater resources and water reuse is a critical response to that pressure.
• HS-46 Usage of water efficient appliances 
  Although the amount of water used by households is a small proportion of total water consumption, the use of water efficient appliances measures in households contributes towards more efficient use of our water resources.
• HS-47 Number of tanks installed in residential areas 
  The number of rainwater tanks used by households as a source of water supply is an indicator of the amount of water harvested that would otherwise be lost as stormwater and is therefore an indicator of the societal response to water wastage. Water supply from rainwater tanks can act as back-up supply to complement mains water supply during periods of drought, peak supply shortages, or water quality problems.
• HS-57 Amounts of solid waste recycled 
  Changes in proportion of waste recycled is indicative of the effectiveness of the societal response to the problem of waste.