Posts filed under ‘heatwave’
Addressing urban heat and burn risk in Playgrounds
“Unshaded synthetic turf is not a safe material to use in playgrounds in hot climates”, claim urban heat researchers based in Sydney in a new peer reviewed study.
Public playgrounds are important for our children to play and exercise. Increasing temperatures with climate change poses a health risk and, in particular, a burn risk to children due to surfaces heating up during hot weather, according to new research.
Researchers Sebastian Pfautsch, Agnieszka Wujeska-Klause, Judi Walters based in University of Western Sydney released the peer reviewed study: Outdoor playgrounds and climate change: Importance of surface materials and shade to extend play time and prevent burn injuries, published in the September 2022 issue of Building and Environment.
The research focussed on impact of urban heat on playground surfaces, and potential for burn injuries. Synthetic turf and other rubber/plastic surfaces were considered as part of this research. It has implications for urban heat of synthetic turf and other rubber and plastics surfaces and prevention of burn injuries, especially to children. This research should also help to inform Moreland Council investigation into Making Sports Playing surfaces sustainable.
(more…)September 2, 2022 at 11:29 pm morelandclimategroup Leave a comment
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…)How will Synthetic turf impact urban heat island and microclimate around Hosken Reserve?
Synthetic turf surface temp heat profile compared to natural grass (Hong Kong) – Alm 2016
Adding a synthetic pitch to Hosken Reserve will increase the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE), reduce the Cool Park effect, and be felt mostly strongly by local residents. Artificial turf elevated temperatures will affect playability and heat stress to players, and not only in Summer but also for warm days in both Spring and Autumn when the temperature is elevated. Our Melbourne summers are getting longer.
For the most part it is local residents that would need to live with this permanent impact on increased microclimate temperatures over summer months and during warmer days in Spring and Autumn. Urban Heat island effect is more prominent during the night than during the day. This will likely increase evening energy use from air conditioners of local residents which will have a feedback of putting more heat back into the local environment.
Our temperature research at Hosken Reserve natural grass oval and Clifton Park synthetic pitch shows on a warm day (around 30C as per BOM records) the surface temperatures on the synthetic pitch are regularly 80-90 percent greater than natural grass, and may on occasion reach double the temperature of grass.
Moreland’s heat vulnerability is already at a high level, synthetic turf will contribute more heat when we need to be trying to cool our suburbs through green infrastructure. Moreland Council needs to find cooling solutions not exacerbate the problem with converting a much loved community shared grass oval to a fenced synthetic pitch.
Climate Action Moreland has had an interest for several years in urban heat island effect and how it is magnified by the rising temperatures of climate change and urban densification and development. This post draws upon past literature reviews and a recent science literature survey associated with artificial surfaces and the urban heat island effect that formed part of our submission on the Hosken Refresh consultation.
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Heat-related deaths under-estimated as temperatures and extreme heat events increase
Moreland’s social heat vulnerability
Researchers at the Australian National University say that heat related deaths have been greatly underestimated. In the 11 years between January 2006 and October 2017 an estimated 36,765 deaths in Australia can be attributed to heat-related causes.
As we know climate change is increasing average temperatures and the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in Australia.
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Moreland summer temperatures increasing with global heating
Moreland’s Average Maximum January temperature trend
“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).
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Climate change bushfire Solidarity Sit Down November 29 – #climatestrike
Keep Friday November 29th free to attend or support the Student Climate Strike ‘This is #climatechange Solidarity Sit Down action in Melbourne:
When: Friday, November 29, 2019 at 2:30 PM – 4 PM
Expected weather: 10–19°C Rain Showers
Where: Parliament of Victoria, Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Facebook event
Winter to vanish in Moreland by 2050 due to global warming
Pascoe Vale projected average temperatures for 2050
Australian Conservation Foundation have released a report on the electorates most at risk of climate change impacts in the lead up to the #climateelection. National Party electorates predominate and are most at risk of climate damages.
But here in Moreland the impacts of rising temperature and reduced rainfall will also be felt.
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Climate signal worsens for January extreme heat while heatwave ends Summer
The climate signal in Australia’s January heat has increased from around 15-fold in 2013 to 50-fold in 2019, according to preliminary analysis of summer temperature extremes.
Sophie Lewis is a climate researcher who was involved in an important climate attribution study that determined the angry summer of 2013 was influenced by climate change. Her preliminary research for January temperatures in 2019 shows a much larger climate signal.
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Heatwave building over Christmas for Central and South-Eastern Australia
Heatwave forecast for 27-29 December 2018
The Bureau of Meteorology shows a heatwave building through the week over Christmas. The forecast is for severe and extreme heatwave impacts particularly Thursday 27 December to Saturday 29 December.
Melbourne might miss some of the impact of this with perhaps a day or two over 35 degrees + temperatures being south of the divide with some respite with cool nights from the warm days.
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Promoting heat respite at Council offices and Chasing up Moreland’s Heatwave response from October 2014
Melbourne Hot days over 35C long term trend
Extreme heat days in Victoria are a rising trend. We need to cut emissions to affect this trend in the long term. But for the short and medium term we need to put in place adequate strategies to build community resilience and climate adaptation to heatwaves and rising temperatures.
Climate Action Moreland Convenor John Englart met with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor following up Moreland’s heatwave response and a past Council decision from October 2014, to ensure Council policies and decisions are being adhered to.
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Climate Action Moreland: people in Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner and Glenroy wanting action on climate change 