Sydney is very diverse compared to other large cities around the world. Recent pressures are resulting in a decline of our diverse flora and fauna. Sydney has followed London’s and Scandinavian models to help with linking green space and biodiversity. We now have realised how important biodiversity is and have been limiting Sydney’s urban growth patterns.
3. sydney’s fresh produce is supplied by market gardens in the sydney basin 90 % 15% agricultural produce 20% vegetables 48% poultry 100% mushrooms 100% leafy greens (and asian vegetables) (using only 2.5% of NSW’s land) (Cohen 2007)
5. (Cohen 2007) /hectare return – sydney market gardens $543 /hectare return – NSW $136 $1 bil /year direct contribution to NSW $4 bil /year indirect contribution to NSW
6. sydney has a mild climate, fertile soil and reliable water to grow food year round - west of the mountains are less reliable water sources and more extreme climates - and more cost and energy use associated with food transportation and refrigeration - and a decline in freshness and quality due to increased traveling time - leading to more expensive, less environmentally sustainable food sources for sydney. http://www.imagery.maps.nsw.gov.au/ accessed 12/07/2007 • sydney
8. In 2004 australia threw away $5.3 billion of food (Australian Conservation Foundation 2007) http://www.dfes.gov.uk/get-on/downloads2004/Wheelie%20bin%20Portrait.jpg accessed 12/07/2007
9. food miles - a measure of how far food travels from paddock to plate average american meal has traveled between 2,500km - 4,000km (Halweil 2002) produce bought out of season travels even further the further food travels, the larger the carbon footprint.
10. 167.3 million tonnes of food is transported around australia a year - 2.5 billion kilometres of travel - 85 per cent of food distributed by road - accounting for 13% of australia's greenhouse gas emissions. (Weekes 2006)
18. 50,000 industrial, agricultural and veterinary chemicals used in australia 99% introduced prior to commencement of testing in 1990 (National Chemicals Taskforce 2002) insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, repellants and baits
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20. 2005 High levels of dioxins were found in samples of prawn and fish from Sydney Harbour. This was due to the industrial history of the area. As a result the NSW State Government banned all commercial fishing in Sydney Harbour until at least 2011. Accessed on12July2007 http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=268888612&size=o
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22. “ Organic farming increases biodiversity at every level of the food chain – all the way from bacteria to mammals” According to a study reported in 2004 by New Scientist: