Four takeaways for adapting to Climate Change from the recent IPCC report

A few weeks ago, the IPCC released a report titled, “Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability“. Even though the report focuses on impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptive practices on a global scale, I have tried to derive some adaptation principles that could be applied to the Macedon Ranges. You will find the full IPCC report at https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/

The tone of the report is sombre but hopeful. The good news is that it is not too late. While we are already experiencing changes to regional and global climate patterns with the increased frequency and duration of extreme weather events (floods, droughts, fires etc) and biodiversity loss, there is a small window of opportunity to adapt if there is the political will to do it now. The bad news is that if we leave it too long, or if we fail to curtail our greenhouse gas emissions so that the increase in average global temperature from pre-industrial times rises above 1.5C, then our capacity to put into effect adaptation measures is severely restricted, inevitably resulting in biodiversity loss, ecosystems no longer having the capacity to bounce back, a decline in agricultural production, and an increase in human mortality and morbidity.

1. We need to protect the vulnerable.
   While the report specifies people in developing countries, in low-lying coastal regions etc as being vulnerable to the effects of climate change, it also includes low income-families, single parent families, the homeless or those without a fixed abode in developed societies. The consensus is that climate change is going to impact the vulnerable more severely.
   In the Macedon Ranges we need to lobby state and local government to:

   • legislate and enforce strict building codes for government housing;

   • providing funds for retrofitting existing stock of low-income households so that homes can be more comfortable and healthy;

   • provide incentives to upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances to reduce energy poverty;

   • ensuring that any property development include sufficient rental properties and affordable housing to prevent homelessness;

   • provide financial incentives for regenerative farming and other diverse forms of agriculture to help provide local food security;

   • provide support for health systems to protect those at highest risk with regards to food, water, and exposure to climate hazards.

2. We need to dedicate more of the region to green spaces.
   Conservation, protection and restoration of natural forests (parks) reduces the vulnerability of biodiversity to climate change.
   In addition,

   • Sustainable forest management can diversify tree species compositions to build resilience and reduce risks from pests, diseases and bushfires. Sustainable forestry management and natural forests also enhance the resilience of carbon stocks and sinks, thereby aiding mitigation.

   • The continued introduction of wildlife corridors will enable the movement of species to new ecologically appropriate locations and allow targetted managment of vulnerable species. Farm-zoned properties have an important role to play here.

   • Preservation and restoration of natural river systems, wetlands and forest ecosystems reduce flood risk by storing water and slowing water flow.

3. We need to transform our towns and cities.
   According to the IPCC report many adaptation options exist for transforming our towns and cities including:

   • urban greening using trees and other vegetation to provide local cooling;

   • transitioning our energy system to provide reliable, clean, renewable energy generation and storage that is resilient to severe weather events;

   • incentivising sustainable development which is centred around the use of public and passive transport rather than being car-dependent.

4. Enabling long-term adaptive solutions.
   The IPCC report states the following enabling conditions for the process of determing effective adaptive responses to climate change:

   • Drawing upon scientific, local, and Indigenous knowledge for locally appropriate adaptation measures;

   • Inclusive public engagement based on justice, which not only ensures a fair allocation of burdens and benefits among individuals, nations and generations but also involves basic respect and robust engagement with diverse cultures and perspectives. This inclusive participation also continues in ultimate decision-making process thereby avoiding exacerbating inequity.

   • Political commitment and follow-through across all levels of government for climate resilient development. While many adaptation measures undertaken to date are short-term, piece-meal, unconnected, and reactive, there is need for long-term planning and large upfront investments of human, financial and technological resources where some benefits may not be realised in the next decade or beyond.

     David Gormley-O’Brien
     president@mrsg.org.au