With climate change now well and truly on the political agenda, North-East Victorian  residents will have the opportunity to hear what the candidates from each of the major parties for the seat of Benambra in the up-coming Victorian state election have to say about how we should respond to this critical issue.

 

A public forum, “Global Warming-How should we respond? What do the pollies say?” has been organised by Charles Sturt University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society and La Trobe University Albury-Wodonga, Department of Environmental Management and Ecology, School of Life Sciences for Monday, November 20 from 6.00 -7.30pm at La Trobe’s Wodonga campus.

 

“The forum will provide an opportunity for voters to hear the candidates present their parties’ views and discuss with them how regional communities such as North-East Victoria should respond to climate change,” said Institute for Land, Water and Society director Prof Allan Curtis.

 

“It’s also intended to stimulate some thinking about the responsibilities that we all have to address climate change.”

 

Speakers for the evening are Bill Baxter (National Party), Lisa Mahood (ALP), Helen Robinson (Greens) and Bill Tilley or a party representative (Liberal Party).  A scientist will discuss the predicted impact of climate change on the region.

 

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, since the middle of the 20^th Century temperatures in Australia have, on average, risen by 1 degree Celsius with an increase in the frequency of heatwaves and a decrease in the number of frosts and cold days.

 

Rainfall patterns have also changed – northwest Australia has experienced increased rainfall over the last 50 years while much of eastern Australia and the far southwest have experienced declining rainfalls.

 

Scientific studies have linked global and Australian temperature increases to the greenhouse effect caused by increased carbon dioxide and methane in our atmosphere, largely the result of industrialisation.

 

“The predictions for the North-East are that it will be hotter, drier, with less reliable rainfall in autumn and more summer thunderstorms,” said the Head of La Trobe’s Department of Environmental Management and Ecology, Assoc Prof Phil Suter.

“It will be a climate more like Wagga’s.”

 

Both Assoc Prof  Suter and Prof Curtis agree climate change will affect the region’s farming and land management practices, flora and fauna, and our lifestyles.

 

For example, as the region heats up the ski industry is expected to be dramatically affected with estimates given that for every 1 degree increase in temperature the snow-line will rise by 200 metres.

 

“This will have huge ecological and social impacts,” said Dr Suter. “However scientists can only make predictions. We don’t really know the extent of what some of the impacts of climate change will be…we can see the problems ahead but we don’t have all the answers yet.”

 

Prof Curtis said it was important to look at the opportunities, including economic ones, which could come out addressing the issue at a regional level.

 

“In the North East we have plenty of sunshine for most of the year, so solar power should be a viable energy option for us,” said Prof Curtis. “With existing dams on the Mitta Mitta, Murray and Kiewa Rivers there is considerable potential to generate increased hydro-electricity which can be effective in meeting peak demands, such as on hot summer days when air conditioners are turned on.

 

“With our native forests and farmland that are suitable for plantations, there is also scope for forestry companies and farmers being paid to store or sequest carbon as a way of off-setting carbon emissions from our cars and factories.”

 

Dr Suter said the forum is an example of the region’s two universities working together to inform the community on important issues.