Figgis, Penelope

This publication was generated following a 2012 symposium in Cairns, Australia. The publication is the primary output from Australia marking the 40th anniversary 'Year of the World Heritage Convention' celebrated by UNESCO in 2012. The book contains 30 chapters including stimulating points of view from all sectors on the future of World Heritage and a wide range of case studies of best management from all sectors. A key component of this publication is the Cairns Communiqué.

Australia's rich and distinct biodiversity is under multiple threats including loss of habitat to human settlement, agriculture and grazing, introduction and spread of alien invasives, pollution, altered fire regimes and landclearing. The landclearing rate of c. 500,000 hectares p.a. is comparable to the worst African, South American and Asian de-forestation rates, much occurring on private lands.