With temperatures in Canberra reaching 42 degrees today, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for the ACT until Friday.
“Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” the BOM advises.
“Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre.
“Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home.
“If available, use fans or air-conditioners to keep cool.”
For further information, visit Staying well during hot weather – ACT Government
ACT Greens: Labor must protect community
“There is no denying that the current severe heatwave in Canberra is linked to human-induced climate change,” Andrew Braddock MLA, Greens spokesperson for climate adaptation, said. “Many Canberrans will suffer through the coming days of extreme heat, and the Labor Government is not doing enough to protect our community in these extreme weather events.”
The Greens say that Labor has failed to deliver an ACT Climate Change Strategy after the 2019–25 document expired last year.
“Labor must consider the real impact of these increasingly frequent extreme weather events on the lives of Canberrans,” Mr Braddock said.
“Canberrans in outer suburbs are stepping out to pavements they could fry an egg on. With fewer trees in many of these new suburbs, you either have to stay inside or risk heat stress.
“Labor should be considering the changing climate in every decision about the future of our city, but particularly when it comes to suburb planning.
“We know Canberrans don’t feel ready to deal with our worsening climate, and they’ve been abandoned by the Labor Government.
“Labor continues to approve new coal and gas projects, while also failing to take steps to adapt our communities to the changing climate. Our community deserves better.”
The Conservation Council ACT Region believes the government must do more to help Canberrans adjust to future climate disasters, CEO Dr Simon Copland said: increasing tree canopy; banning dark roofs in new housing developments; and provide greater funding for essential services such as volunteer emergency service units.
“The ACT Government has done some great things, including declaring a 30 per cent tree canopy and conducting new plantings around the city,” Dr Copland said. “But we can do a lot more.”
Global warming is confirmed at +1.2ºC, but warming across the Australian continent has already reached +1.5ºC, the Australian Government’s National Climate Risk Assessment report states. The report warns that if temperatures increase 3 degrees, Canberrans will face severe heatwaves of up to 44 degrees for 10 days a year; up to 40 days of the year will be above 35 degrees; and fire seasons will be longer and more extreme.
“The National Climate Risk Assessment has made it clear: Canberrans can expect hotter, longer and more dangerous heat events because of climate change,” Mr Braddock said.
Almost 36,000 ACT emergency department presentations between 2000 and 2021 were linked to heat, representing 1 in 40 (2.5 per cent) of all visits, according to a recent ANU study. That number could increase to 90,000 presentations (2.7 per cent of all emergency department visits) between 2040 and 2061 if the climate warms further.
“This study confirms what Canberrans already know: the climate crisis will impact the most vulnerable, primarily young people, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and the ageing,” Mr Braddock said.
The ACT Government has been asked for comment.
