FRANKSTON residents are being asked to contribute ideas to help mitigate the local effects of climate change.
Frankston Council is drafting a climate change strategy for the next decade. The strategy will outline opportunities to reduce emissions and combat the growing danger of climate change.
Last year a report released by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change spelled out the grave dangers of climate change. Global temperature is projected to reach or exceed 1.5 degrees of warming in the next 20 years.
Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy has encouraged residents to come forward and have a say on what can be done at a local level to protect the environment. “Whether you’re keen to reduce energy costs or climate-proof your business, or passionate about creating a better world – your say is important to us,” he said.
Council says that a climate change survey it conducted in 2020 found that the loss of biodiversity and habitat, rising sea levels, longer bush fire seasons, and more extreme weather events are the biggest concerns held by residents.
A climate emergency was declared by Frankston Council in 2019. Council says it reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 34 per cent in the 2020/2021 financial year compared to 2019/2020.
In response to the damning UN report last year, Frankston, Kingston, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast, Bayside, Cardinia, Casey, Greater Dandenong, and Port Phillip councils publicly called on the government to act quickly on the issue (“Wait at our peril for climate change action” The Times 30/8/21).
Residents can make submissions on council’s climate change strategy and action plan until 13 August. The final strategy is expected to be complete in March next year.
Feedback can be provided at engage.frankston.vic.gov.au/climate-change