Climate Action Merribek: people in Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner and Glenroy wanting action on climate change

Moreland summer temperatures increasing with global heating

February 6, 2020 at 11:43 pm John Englart Leave a comment

“In Moreland, January’s average top temperature is up 2.4C since 1971.” says Dr Allie Gallant, a climate scientist from Monash University.

“Last year was Australia’s hottest year on record, with an annual average temperature 1.52C above normal. It was also the driest year on record, with national rainfall 40% below normal. Much of the country was affected by drought. The drought worsened dangerous fire conditions, contributing to the devastating bushfire season we’re seeing now.” said Gallant as reported in the Moreland Leader (January 27, 2020).

Moreland is already noted as having extreme social vulnerability to extreme heat events and developed an urban heat island effect action plan. Moreland Council set out in 2014 to increase tree canopy to combat Urban Heat island Effect.

We made an extensive submission to Level CRossing removal Project for the Bell to Moreland elevated rail. Sadly, it seems the LXRP have ignored most of our detailed submission to make the $460 million project more sustainable and low carbon while improving community benefits.

We also provided a submission to Heritage Victoria on the heritage and environmental value of the trees around Moreland Station. Richard Wynne’s planning approval of LXRP plans, with no negotiations with the community on improved solutions, has resulted in losing most of the vegetation that provided essential heat wave mitigation. This will be to the short and medium term detriment to the local residents whose health will be impacted to a greater degree in extreme heat events.

It will take 30-50 years minimum to recover some of the environmental benefits such as the level of shade, evapotranspiration, and habitat, of the vegetation axed in this last week, to be replaced by promised new plantings in 12-18 months.

Moreland’s hottest day in summer is also increasing and is now around 42C, an increase of 3.3 degrees Celsius since the 1970s.

“Melbourne Airport weather station recorded its hottest ever temperature, 46.8C, on 7 February 2009 – the day of the Black Saturday bushfires. These bushfires began after a record-breaking heatwave that peaked with unusually windy, dry and hot conditions – three crucial factors that contribute to catastrophic fire danger.” said Dr Allie Gallant.

“Climate change is making some of these conditions more common, contributing to a longer bushfire season in southern Australia. The 2019/20 fire season began in September – much earlier than usual – and is expected to continue until autumn.” explained Dr Gallant in a report in the Moreland Leader (February 3, 2020)

Entry filed under: climate change info, heatwave, news, urban forest. Tags: Allie Gallant, extreme heat, Level crossing removal, Moreland, temperatures.