97% of climate scientists agree that human-caused climate change is happening – it is as scientifically certain as gravity. But what exactly is it?

Climate change is about long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, but also through the way we manage land.

In Victoria, these activities have caused our climate to warm by 1.1 degrees since 1910. While this doesn’t seem like a lot, it has driven extreme weather such as the 2019/20 Black Summer[1]. Other impacts of climate change in Victoria include

• increase in temperature year round, with more hot days and warm spells
• fewer frosts
• less rainfall, particularly in winter and autumn
• more frequent and more intense downpours
• harsher fire weather and longer fire seasons
• rising sea levels
• warmer and more acidic oceans

Climate change is usually considered an environmental problem due to its physical effects on the natural environment, however the issue is far reaching and impacts on almost every area of our society, including our health, infrastructure and economy.

[1] https://blog.csiro.au/bushfires-linked-climate-cha...

Greenhouse gas emissions are also called ‘carbon emissions’ or just ‘emissions’ for short.

When we burn fossil fuels for energy and transport, plough soils, raise cattle, and clear vegetation, gases like carbon dioxide and methane are released. These gases trap and hold heat in the atmosphere, heating up the planet like a giant greenhouse. The amount of greenhouse gases we release into the atmosphere are known as our emissions.

Click here to watch a short video on the greenhouse effect.

Reaching ‘zero’ emissions would mean not emitting ANY greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at all. ‘Net zero’ gives us a little more wiggle room – we can still emit a small amount of greenhouse gases, if we take out the same amount as what we put in. We need to reach net zero as soon as possible to stop climate change.

Climate action starts with the decisions we make, whether that is buying renewable energy, putting our money with a bank that doesn’t invest in fossil fuels, or participating in a community climate action group. And when we talk about climate change to friends or family, what it means to us and what we are doing about it, our actions really gain momentum as they ripple through society and influence others.

It is important to remember that, if we include all the coal, natural gas and oil we export that is burned in other countries, Australia is the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world[1]. What happens in our country affects the entire planet.

[1] https://climateanalytics.org/media/australia_carbo...

The Plan is being developed in response to:

• Your input into the 2021-25 Council Plan development, which showed that the community wants climate action.
• Victoria government legislation that requires councils to consider climate change in carrying out their responsibilities.
• The high risk climate change holds for our organization and community.

Council has a vital role in supporting the transition to a net zero (and climate resilient) region, because you are well connected to the community and know what is needed and opportunities. This can be done by educating and leading the community and facilitating financially with rebates, loans, bulk buy schemes etc.
- Anonymous community member