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Sydney summers predicted to top 50°C: Green Infrastructure and the role of stormwater
22 March 2021
Two new reports have been release looking at the risks of climate change in Australia and the recommended steps to reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
The Australian Academy of Sciences released the The risks to Australia of a 3°C warmer world in March. The report outlines risks to ecosystems, infrastructure, energy supply, industry and the ongoing social costs of disaster and extreme weather events. The report notes the possibility for urban planners to design for urban cooling but recognises the rapid changes required to stormwater management to provide water sources for irrigation.
Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) also release the Temperature check: Greening Australia's warming cities report in March. The report prepared by the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub, says that without more urban greening and concerted climate action, Brisbane and Melbourne will “regularly” experience summer temperatures of over 40°C by 2060. In Sydney the temperatures are predicted to reach above 50°C in summer. The report also discusses the role of green infrastructure in slowing and reducing stormwater volumes that infrastructure receives and discusses the infrastructure cost saving that can be realised
One of the ACF report key recommendations is that all levels of government and community must work together to prioritise policies and collaborative programs that promote green infrastructure, water management and cooling solutions to maintain our wellbeing. The report urges state and territory governments to promote water sensitive urban design principles that link stormwater management and urban vegetation projects for more efficient and effective impact.
