Climate change is the term used to describe the long-term shift of weather patterns. The speed at which modern climate change is happening and the causes behind it make it one of the biggest challenges facing our world.
Weather versus climate
Weather and climate mean different things. Weather is what we experience day to day such as sunny days, cold days, thunderstorms, or rain. Climate looks at weather patterns over a long period of time.
Greenhouse gases
Greenhouse gases play an important role in maintaining comfortable temperature ranges on Earth by trapping heat from the sun. Greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are natural and have changed our climate over billions of years.
Since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, fossil fuels have been burnt to power our way of life. The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere and has unnaturally impacted our climate.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change regularly releases important research into climate change and its impacts.
How will climate change affect Wagga Wagga?
Climate change will affect areas around Australia and the world differently. Some places may experience greater weather and temperature extremes than others. Knowing how climate change will impact our region will help us plan for our future.
What we expect to see in our region:
- Increases to both minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year
- More frequent heatwaves that last longer
- Experience fewer cold nights
- A shift from when we experience rainfall, with less rain in spring and more rain in autumn
Learn more about how climate change will affect our region through AdaptNSW’s Murray Murrumbidgee Climate change snapshot.
What is Council doing to reduce emissions and plan for our future?
Net Zero Emissions by 2040
Council has adopted a corporate net zero emissions target by 2040. The term 'net zero' refers to the balancing of greenhouse gas emissions with actions that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The first step should always be to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally a target has been set for the Wagga Wagga community to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Several projects have been implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Council business and across community assets that Council maintains. Projects have also commenced on how our community can adapt to a changing climate. These include:
- Implementation of a combined food organics and garden organics waste service
- Installation of rooftop solar on Council’s Civic Centre and the Livestock Marketing Centre
- Upgrade to energy efficient LED lights in Council buildings
- Upgrade of street lighting to energy efficient LED lights
- Purchase of an electric vehicle as part of Council’s vehicle fleet
- Development of the ‘Adaptation Action Plans for Priority Infrastructure and Vulnerable Communities’ through Local Government NSW’s ‘Building Resilience to Climate Change’ program
- Partnering with Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare to trial the planting of climate adapted species
- Developing an urban canopy cover and heat map strategy
- Delivering the 'One tree for me' campaign to increase vegetation cover
To download this document, click the download link in the top left corner.
Solar
Rooftop solar systems are gaining widespread popularity as a sustainable energy solution offering various advantages. They are inexhaustible and allows homeowners and businesses to generate their own electricity and thus, reducing dependency on grid. Meanwhile, they can support the electricity grid by feeding excess energy back into it and allowing users to receive credits for the surplus energy supplied to the grid.
This results in lowered electricity bills and reduced emissions from electricity usage. Apart from this, these solar systems have low maintenance cost and good life span of about 25-30 years which brings huge financial savings to the owners.
Wagga Wagga City Council has recently secured a free access for the community to the premium version of SunSPOT, a solar calculator developed by University of NSW and the Australian PV Institute. Individuals can have answers to their questions like;
How much can you save with solar?
Is your roof too shady for solar?
What is the best size solar system for you, or do you need to get a battery?
The not-for-profit SunSPOT solar calculator helps the householders and small businesses understand the possibilities and benefits of solar on their rooftop. SunSPOT’s development has been supported by the NSW and ACT governments, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP)
SunSPOT is free and confidential to use, and you won’t be getting any sales calls afterwards. All you need to get your estimate is your recent electricity bill.
To get your tailored estimate, please visit: www.sunspot.org.au
SunSPOT Community Help Desk
Wagga Wagga City Council has recently opted into the SunSPOT solar calculator, a free and private initiative that gives you insight into solar system sizes, how many panels will fit on your roof, batteries and potential savings.
Council will be holding a Service Help Desk every Tuesday from 2:30pm - 4:30pm (with different timeslots available) at the Wagga Wagga City Library - Learning Space 3. The help desk aims to assist those who are not tech-savvy, lack access to a computer, or missed the webinar and would like a guided walkthrough.
You can register now by calling 1300 292 442 or alternatively click on the REGISTER tab to complete registration.
Please make sure to bring your most recent electricity bill with you during the visit.
Available grants and rebates:
What can you do?:
- Understand your environmental footprint using an online calculator
- Swap short car trips with walking or riding a bike
- Reduce energy use at home by:
- Turning lights off when not in use
- Sticking to 4 minute showers
- Popping on a jumper before switching on the heater
- Considering the energy efficient rating of new appliance purchases
- Buy food from local growers, or have a go at growing your own fruit and vegetables
- Fix or mend items rather than throwing them away
- Sort your waste across the green, yellow, and red lid bins
- Plant trees and shrubs in your garden, or volunteer with Landcare
Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation options for Council Assets
To download this document, click the download link in the top left corner.