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Windstorms, Fire, Heatwaves?

Emergencies over the past year have got many of us thinking, what will climate change mean for me?

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 4th February 2010 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Environment Manager, Paul Smith, said last year’s storms and fires and the recent hot weather have sparked an interest in climate change for many residents.

"To help residents understand and prepare for climate change, we’re hosting free community information sessions in February," said Mr Smith.

"With the help of Ambulance Victoria, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the South East Council’s Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA), the forums aim to paint a picture of climate change in Bass Coast.

"The forums are not only designed to provide information to the community, but also to identify community concerns relating to the impacts of climate change," continued Mr Smith.

The forums run for two hours and are split into two sections

The first part will explain climate change in a Bass Coast context by focussing on public health impacts, impacts on our coastline and infrastructure and will share examples of some impacts we’ve already experienced.

The second half of the forum focuses on residents’ concerns. Residents will be able to share information, ask questions and request more information.

"We need the community to tell us their concerns so we focus our efforts on their high priority issues," said Mr Smith.

"This will be a whole of community effort. We can focus our efforts on these high priority issues but we also need to encourage people need to take responsibility for themselves. It is everyone’s responsibility to adapt to climate change.

"Climate change will affect everyone in Bass Coast: the old, the young, businesses, householders, holiday makers, so I would encourage everyone to come along and get some more information," continued Mr Smith.

The forums will be held in Cowes on Thursday, 11 February from 7.00pm-9.00pm at the Cowes Cultural Centre at 91-97 Thompson Ave Cowes. The Inverloch forum will be held on Thursday, 18 February from 7.00pm-9.00pm at the Inverloch Community Hub, 16 A’Beckett Street.

Please register your interest by contacting Council on 1300 BCOAST (226 278). For more information log onto www.basscoast.vic.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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