Australia is a hotbed for natural resources, particularly fossil
fuels used to generate energy. The country exports nearly two-
thirds of its energy production, ranking first in the world in
coal exports and fourth for liquefied natural gas exports.
Renewables exist in Australia, but not on a meaningful scale.
The country increased its solar capacity more than 135% in 2011
to 1,345 megawatts, just shy of 2% of the global total. The
country's wind capacity at the end of 2011 was much higher, at
2,476 MW, but that only accounts for 1% of the global total.
When it's all said and done, fossils fuels account for 95% of
Australia's energy consumption and 92% of electricity
generation. Australia has a goal to produce 20% of its
electricity from renewable resources by 2020. Ambitious yes, but
Australia's incentive to reach the goal is higher than in other
places. The country generates more pollution per person than any
other developed nation -- including the United States. As of
2010, Australia was estimated to hold j