Managing environments at risk: A challenge for universities and communities

News coverage of environmental issues around the world has escalated, along with the popularity of films such as "An Inconvenient Truth". In parallel, governments have given increased attention to the environment. The Australian government, for example, has turned its attention to global warming, and sustainable water management. As the politicisation of environmental matters has taken a hold on the debate, it has raised awareness, but also intensified concerns about the severity of environmental risks and the form and rigour of the solutions required. Universities' responses need to creatively extend our understanding of the fundamental causes of environmental stress, and build the skills of their students to manage environments increasingly at risk. But universities also must engage more deeply with their communities to develop and implement a broader range of environmental strategies, and to extend this engagement to the Asian Pacific region.