A world model and its preliminary application to examining patterns of Australian and New Zealand trade in food, energy and minerals

摘要

The first step in a program of work to extend an existing model of the global economy to encompass Australia and New Zealand regions is illustrated. In this model, which gives special emphasis to the constraints caused by the depletion of natural resources, the world is divided into regions, and production into a number of sectors. A qualitative outline is provided of the model structure in its existing and its planned extended form. The results of three sets of experiments pertaining to the extended form of model are shown. First, we address, in a preliminary way, potential patterns of trade in food between various regions of the world and Australia and New Zealand. Second, the focus is on trade in energy. Third, a brief look at trade in minerals completes the illustration of the first step to extend the existing world model. Completion of this exploratory extension project may lead to establishing an inter-agency project to develop and use a World-Australia model within the Australian Government.