Posts filed under ‘climate change info’
Synthetic Turf and the Tragedy of the Commons in Moreland
Climate Action Moreland has done a literature review to highlight the general environmental, social and health issues with synthetic turf, and specific issues around a proposal to convert unfenced grass sporting fields at Hosken Reserve in Coburg North to a fenced synthetic soccer pitch. This is the text of our submission to the Moreland Council engagement consultants employed for public consultation to inform the Hosken Reserve Refresh project for Moreland Council.
We have also reported on our blog separately on synthetic turf carbon footprint and total life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, and on the impact synthetic turf will likely have on the urban heat island effect on local residents.
Conversion of natural grass to Synthetic turf at Hosken Reserve should be considered as a catalyst issue for opposing increasing synthetic turf generally in our municipality. We are also very concerned with increasing State Government funding of school oval conversions increasing heat stress risk for children and heating the local microclimate affecting both children and local residents, against expert advice. (See Madden, et al, 2018 (Cool Schools), Pfautsch et al, Sept 2020 (School Microclimates))
We acknowledge the work done by local Merlynston residents on this issue to Help Keep Hosken a place for Community in defence of their grassed open space which they have been quite willing to share the use of with Sporting Clubs as Commons space.
(more…)Melbourne’s shrinking winter, expanding summer
Change in the season length with rising temperatures for Melbourne. Source: Australia Institute
The Australia Institute have researched the change in the season length for capital city and regional towns due to the rise in temperatures from Climate Change. Our winter seasons are shrinking, summer seasons are lengthening.
Natural grass or Synthetic turf? What are the total life cycle emission profiles
Total life cycle analysis of synthetic turf GHG emissions
A local residents campaign in Moreland over conversion of a sporting oval in Hosken Reserve from natural grass to synthetic turf has stimulated debate on the impacts of supporting a fossil-fuel/plastics industry product for organised Sport and Recreation. Although there are many impacts of an oval conversion, the issue that concerns us greatly in Climate Action Moreland are the greenhouse gas emissions. We do have a climate emergency, which has been declared by Council in 2018.
A 2006 Canadian total life cycle emissions study found that a 9000m2 grass pitch would have a 10 year baseline carbon negative impact of minus 16.9 tonnes CO2e while the synthetic turf would generate 55.6 tonnes CO2e (Note: this study assumed -53t Co2e saving at end of life with full recycling – this would not occurr in Australia with most materials going to landfill). A 2017 Swedish total life cycle emissions study on a modelled 7881m2 synthetic field concluded GHG emissions would be 527 ton CO2e for a ten year period.
Update: A deeper reading of the 2017 consultants report to FIFA revealed that total life cycle emissions for a standard FIFA sized pitch may be up to 1500 tonnes CO2e. This comes from examining a graph of total life cycle green house gas emissions for synthetic turf with various infill and various end of life disposal in the report.
(more…)
Time for a Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
Climate Action Moreland has endorsed the international call for a Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty.
This is an initiative to phase-out fossil fuels and fast-track solutions.
(more…)
Taking the temperature of Moreland Playgrounds and surfaces
Hot seat, hot synthetic surface. CB Smith Reserve
Summer is fast approaching and already we have had days with temperatures reaching into the low 30s Celsius degree level. Surfaces in Moreland heat up much more than the ambient temperatures.
This build up of heat in surfaces such as footpaths, roads, buildings, playground equipment and synthetic turf, contributes to the urban heat island effect, which tends to be much more pronounced in highly built up urban areas such as in Moreland.
Particularly notable is that synthetic surfaces have higher spot temperatures than either asphalt or concrete surfaces when all are in full sun.
(more…)
Climate Emergency toolkit for Councils launched
Local Government climate emergency toolkit
Former City of Moreland Councillor Dale Martin has authored a Local Government climate emergency toolkit, drawing upon his experience as a Councillor, and also consultation with other Councillors and community members (including with Climate Action Moreland).
The toolkit offers practical recommendations for how local governments (also known as city councils and local councils) can take immediate action to address the climate emergency.
It is written for local government councillors, Council officers and community members who want to take climate action.
(more…)
Epidemic Thunderstorm asthma warning: expected to become more frequent and severe due to climate change.
VicHealth warning map for thunderstorm asthma forr 11 November 2020
This is an extreme weather warning for tomorrow (Wednesday 11 November 2020) for epidemic thunderstorm asthma. Anyone who suffers asthma or heyfever should have their medications and asthma plan ready. Risk is rated as moderate for tomorrow.
The Victorian Health Department advises:
“People with current, past or undiagnosed asthma or hay fever are considered to be at risk. Having both asthma and hay fever or poorly controlled asthma increases the risk further. Those at increased risk should:
* avoid exposure to any storms that may emerge, especially the wind gusts that precede them
* have a reliever appropriately available (as discussed with your doctor or pharmacist)
* remind themselves of their asthma action plan and have practical knowledge of the four steps of asthma first aid.”
Is Moreland prepared for a mega-drought?
Drought stress on wetlands
New research from the University of Queensland suggests that Mega-droughts – droughts that last two decades or longer – are tipped to increase thanks to climate change.
Professor Hamish McGowan, the leading author of the new study, said the findings suggested climate change would lead to increased water scarcity, reduced winter snow cover, more frequent bushfires and wind erosion. The research looked at geological records from the Eemian Period – 129,000 to 116,000 years ago – when temperature were similar to or slightly higher than today.
Mega droughts will change how we use water, and also have implications for food security both locally and nationally.
(more…)
Cities Power Partnership Climate Awards 2020
Climate Awards 2020
No, Moreland Council didn’t win, indeed wasn’t even listed as a finalist, in the Climate Council Cities Power Partnership Climate Awards 2020.
These awards were presented by the ABC Fight for Planet A presenter Craig Reucassel in a webinar on Thursday night, 29 October 2020. They showcased the depth and breadth of Councils across Australia taking climate action in many different ways, through many different projects, even during this time of pandemic. Taking action for the Climate emergency.
(more…)
Submission: Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria
Matted Flax Lily in Moreland
After the 2019/2020 Summer bushfires we should all be concerned about the loss of biodiversity, the decline in ecosystems. The health of our environment supports the health of human society. Climate change is one of several human related factors driving ecosystem decline. Here is our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria.
Climate Action Moreland Submission on Ecosystem Decline in Victoria (PDF)
