Climate Change and Local Government Elected Members Residential Seminar May 2008

What We Know….. 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 air and sea temperatures…. Increasing global temperatures will affect weather patterns and climate….

What We Think We Know…. Rainfall Evaporation Wind speed and direction Tides Droughts Storms Tidal Surges & Coastal Inundation Inland Flooding Frosts Heatwaves There will be changes to climate patterns and weather events such as: = more variability in an already variable climate

What We Think We Know…. = changes to: SOCIAL NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ECONOMIC

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 Marine acidity levels Changes to soil erosion patterns Changes to soil moisture, salinity, acid sulphate, waterlogging, toxicities Loss of tourism and visual amenity More and different pest species Declining water for irrigation and agriculture Shift or retraction of agricultural industries (ie grain & grape) Changes to seafood industry (aquaculture and fishing) Increased livestock stress Forestry industry (increased growth but decreased water = ?) Changes to industry base Changes in land values (and council rate base) Changes in community population and dynamics Increase in depression and anxiety Declining potable water supplies Increase in heat related illness Increase in illness spread by vectors Increased pressure on public health infrastructure and services Increase in air conditioner use and therefore stress on energy infrastructure 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 IMPACT ON NATURAL ENVIRONMENT SOCIAL IMPACT ECONOMIC IMPACT

Impact on Local Government 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 jetties, boat ramps, sea walls, buildings Insurance risk and public liability issues; due diligence where approvals for buildings and developments in areas under increased risk due to climate change are given; review AHD levels 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 Forward planning for expanded or new public health control practices to manage spread of new or different vectors and disease due to warmer conditions

Impact on Local Government Review of building standards in light of changes to more heatwaves, storm frequency and intensity, destructive winds and prevailing wind directions Asset management (ie roads, buildings) in light of drying subsoil and changes in wind etc Council and community water conservation and re-use measures Revision of population and district growth targets Being aware of possible changes in local industry (ie agriculture and tourism) and land use (ie cropping to grazing) and impact on property values and rate base Aware of changes in rural population and flow on effect to community structure and dynamic including schools, sport, retail, medical, specialist and other population-based services

What We Still Don’t Know…. HOW ?

Why Don’t We Know? …… Precisely how climate change impact will unfold depends upon:  Continued level of CO2 emission  Coping range * and adaptability of humans and natural environment *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 No-one is going to hand you the answer, because they don’t know The best people to establish an understanding of the local climate-society * relationship is the local community The best place to start that process is from the local council – you are in the driver’s seat * 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

Planning - Not Another Plan ….. Climate change should be incorporated into existing planning framework -  Council and community strategic plans  Development plans  Council business continuity plan  Community emergency management plan  Asset management plan  Financial management plan “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

Who Can Help ? …. Australian Government - Department of Climate Change Local Government Mutual Liability Scheme ICLEI State Department of Premier and Cabinet – Sustainability and Climate Change Division CSIRO SARDI Australian Government - Bureau of Meteorology Australian Government - Bureau of Rural Science Australian Government - Geoscience Australia Private Carbon Traders and Auditors