We're taking climate action and so can you!
Across the globe there's an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. We all have a part to play to achieve deep cuts to emissions. It requires a shared effort between residents, businesses, councils and other levels of government.
What is climate change?
It's any change in the climate, lasting for several decades or longer, including changes in temperature, rainfall or wind patterns.
Our climate is changing quite dramatically – it’s getting hotter. The global average temperature has already risen by 1.1°C since the pre-industrial period (1700s).
While the earth’s climate has changed throughout history, scientists agree that the significant changes we’ve seen over the past 100 years or so have been due to human activities. Recent warming is also happening at a rate that is much faster than previous climatic changes.
What's causing climate change?
Since the Industrial Revolution (which began in the mid to late 1700s), greenhouse gases have built up in the atmosphere, which is trapping more heat close to the earth’s surface resulting in warmer global temperatures. This is because humans began digging up and burning coal, oil and gas, as well as scaling up agriculture and tree-clearing (deforestation), and increasing waste (landfill), which are all processes that produce greenhouse gases.
Temperature rise has resulted in warmer average temperatures, heat waves, flooding, poor air quality, species loss, rising sea levels and bushfires.
What does it mean for Moonee Valley?
- Increased frequency and severity of floods, heatwaves and droughts
- Impacts on wildlife due to heat stress, drought and habitat changes
- Impacts on health due to changes in air pollution and aeroallergens (such as pollen), vector-borne diseases, extreme weather events and other factors
- Increased pressure on emergency services and health systems to deal with the health impacts of climate change
We've declared a Climate Emergency
We know there's an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions to avoid the worst impacts of this climate emergency. That’s why in October 2019 we joined 58 councils across Australia and more than 1,000 worldwide in declaring climate change should be treated as a national emergency.
The purpose of the climate emergency declaration movement is to accelerate sustained and meaningful action by all levels of government, and for people globally to engage with the challenge of avoiding catastrophic climate change and restoring a safe climate.
What’s next?
- We're on track to achieve zero net emissions from our operations in 2020
- We're in the process of switching to 100 per cent renewable energy as part of a Power Purchase Agreement with 48 other Victorian Councils
- Working to achieve 30 per cent tree canopy cover by 2040
- Working to achieve zero net emissions for our community by 2040
- Continue to support the community to prepare for the impacts of the climate emergency through education and awareness
What have we done so far?
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Take action
We all have a part to play in reducing emissions and it is still possible to limit global temperatures to prevent the most disastrous consequences of climate change.
Don’t leave it too late and be part of the solution and take climate action in 2020!
Consider solar power for your home
Switch off lights and other devices at the socket when you're not using them
Swap halogen or fluorescent lights for LED lighting
Choose energy efficient appliances
Purchase renewable power through your energy retailer
Learn more through the home Energy Action Guide
Avoid buying products with plastic packaging and recycle your soft plastic at a RedCycle collection point at Coles or Woolworths
Place your food scraps into your green lid bins or compost
Pack nude food (plastic free) lunches for work and school
Take public transport, cycle or walk when possible
Consider using a car sharing service or car pooling
Eat less meat
- Raising livestock uses about 70 per cent of agricultural land and generates 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse emissions. By eating less meat and incorporating more greens into your meals you can reduce your environmental impact significantly
- Take up Meat Free Mondays
Divest your funds
- Do you know if your savings and mortgage are funding fossil fuel projects? Invest your savings in banks and superannuation funds that protect not damage our environment. Learn more at marketforces.org.au
- Investigate your investments
Take community action
- Join or donate to a local environment group such as:
- Moonee Valley Sustainability
- Moonee Valley Sharing Shed
- Moonee Valley Repair Café
- Ascot Vale Boomerang Bags
- Moonee Valley Gardens for Wildlife
- Grassroots Group – Moonee Valley youth climate action group
- Moonee Valley Community Gardens
- Moonee Valley Friends Groups
- Participate in our Sustainability Champions program and learn how to run your own community environment project
- Attend a Council Green Living event
- Sign up to our Green Living newsletter
- Support your local schools and businesses to go green
- Write a letter to your local Member of Parliament requesting strong commitments and targets on emissions. Find you Federal MPs HERE and State MPs HERE
More information
- CSIRO for national climate science and research
- NASA for global warming trends
- BOM for the latest climate trends
- Australian Energy Foundation for home and business energy advice
- Climate Council for climate change communications and advice
- Sustainability Victoria for solar and home sustainability advice