4.1 CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change was reported as being an issue by 43 RDA committees. Thirty-eight committees identified the potential impacts of climate change, such as more frequent severe weather events, increased bushfire risk, flooding of coastal areas, deterioration of the natural environment, water shortages and heat-related health problems. In many regions, there was concern that an increase in temperature and decrease in rainfall would have a negative effect on agriculture and primary production. In Victoria’s Hume region, there was concern that climate change could result in decreased snowfalls, which would affect the snow-based recreation and tourism industries (RDA Hume, 2010, p. 18).

Twelve RDA committees reported a need to reduce their contribution to climate change by decreasing their carbon emissions or ecological footprint. Strategies identified to achieve this included increasing renewable energy use, promoting sustainable urban design, investing in public transport and increasing the community’s understanding of potential impacts.

Eleven RDA committees identified a lack of direction in planning for climate change or the need for an integrated climate change strategy as significant issues. Four committees reported that a lack of awareness and acceptance about the threat of climate change was impeding the planning and preparation needed to manage its potential impacts.