Climate change and Moreland
Climate change impacts on the local environment of Moreland and on Moreland residents.
Council and residents can work together on a local level to reduce climate change.
Impact of climate change on Moreland
Some impacts for our local environment are:
- loss of gardens, trees and shrubs due to moisture stress
- more airborne dust, pollen and pollution and more weeds and pests
- reduced biodiversity with a loss of plant and animal species
- bigger storms may cause local flooding and block drains, and
- stress on parks, sporting fields and waterways like Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek.
Impact of climate change on Moreland residents
Some impacts for local residents and businesses are:
- heat stress, with the elderly and children especially at risk
- high prices for energy, insurance and food
- introduction of waterborne, more tropical diseases
- more demand for water but less water available, and
- more environmental refugees.
How Moreland residents and businesses contribute to climate change
Moreland is a council in Victoria, and Victoria has the worst ecological footprint in Australia. Victorians mostly buy electricity that is made from brown coal. Brown coal takes longer to burn. Victorians also use cars more frequently and use more energy in our houses than other Australians.
In 2001, each Moreland resident made 10 tonnes of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Half of the carbon dioxide came from buying electricity made from brown coal from the LaTrobe Valley, Victoria.
The vast majority of international scientists agree that too much greenhouse gas has caused climate change. Read more information on greenhouse gas.
Council, the community and climate change
Council's Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2007 – 2012 (PDF 1Mb) describes how the community and Council can reduce their impact on climate change.
Council wants:
- the Moreland community to make zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and
- Council to make zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. “Zero net greenhouse gas” means that any greenhouse gas we make is offset. The net result is no gas created.
Moreland Energy Foundation
Council set up the Moreland Energy Foundation to help the community reduce greenhouse emissions. Some of its services are:
- 5 star energy rating assessment of your new home, renovation or units
- how to improve the energy efficiency of a rental home, and
- choosing the most efficient electric hot water and air conditioning.
