Climate Change and the Three R’s LGA Climate Change Summit Anita Crisp June 2008

Science Recap….. There is unprecedented levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the earth’s atmosphere….. There is a direct and observed correlation between rising CO2 levels and increase in global temperatures…. Increasing global temperatures will affect weather patterns and climate….  rainfall  evaporation  wind speed & direction  storms  droughts  tidal surges & coastal inundation frosts  floods

= more variability in an already variable climate ….

Loss or migration of native plant and animal species – terrestrial and marine Change to abundance Decrease in ground and surface water flows, recharge and quality Sea levels, temperature & acidity Changes to soil characteristics - erosion patterns, moisture, salinity, acid sulphate, waterlogging Declining water for irrigation and agriculture More and different pest species Shift or retraction of agricultural industries Fishing & aquaculture Effect on tourism Increased livestock stress Forestry industry (increased growth but decreased water = ?) Opportunities for alternative industries, carbon trading Changes in land values (impact on council rate base & services) Changes in community population and dynamics Loss of visual amenity Increase in depression and anxiety Increase in heat related illness Increase in illness spread by vectors Increased pressure on public health infrastructure and services Increased pressure on energy infrastructure (ie air conditioner use) Declining potable water supplies Increase in heatwaves Increase in extreme bushfire days and events Increase in infrastructure damaged or threatened by floods, storms, coastal inundation Increased pressure on emergency services and volunteers SOCIAL NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ECONOMIC

Local impact of climate change depends upon: CContinued level of CO2 emission CCoping range * and adaptability of humans and natural environment No-one is going to hand you the answer, because they don’t know…. *Yohe and Tol 2002) in McInne Ks et al, 2003, Climate change in South Australia; Report on Assessment of climate change, impacts and possible adaptation strategies relevant to South Australia

Local Knowledge = Local Solution First step is to understand the local climate-society* relationship A whole of community response, requires united commitment by its leaders -  Regional Natural Resource Management Boards  Regional Development Boards  (regional) Local Government * McInne Ks et al, 2003, Climate change in South Australia; Report on Assessment of climate change, impacts and possible adaptation strategies relevant to South Australia SOCIAL NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ECONOMIC

Considerations for Local Government Council and community water conservation and re-use measures Revision of population and district growth targets Shifts in local industry (ie agriculture and tourism) and land use (ie cropping to grazing) and impact on property values and rate base Future management of public space, parks and gardens and community lands with less water, more dust and weeds and loss of amenity value Safeguard vulnerable coastal infrastructure and assets such as stairwells/access points, boat ramps, buildings Insurance risk and public liability plus due diligence where approvals given for buildings and developments in areas under increased risk due to climate change Review bushfire prevention and flood mitigation planning including likely extension of high risk areas, placing additional conditions for building and living in high risk areas and community education Public health and safety to manage spread of new or different pest plants, animals and disease Council asset management (ie roads, buildings) in light of drying subsoil, increased flash floods and changes in wind etc Waste management, biomass, opportunities for carbon trading and alternative industry

Planning - Not Another Plan ….. Climate change should be incorporated into existing planning framework guiding communities “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” Dwight D. Eisenhower  Council and community strategic plans  Development plans  Community emergency management plans  NRM plans  Regional economic and tourism plans Regional climate change information and data