Heatwaves already cause more deaths in Australia than all other extreme events combined.<\/p>\n
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Sydneysiders have been warned that heatwave deaths could skyrocket by more than 400 per cent. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
Even under the best-case scenario \u2014 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming \u2014 the assessment warns heat-related deaths in Sydney would double.<\/p>\n
Under 3C of warming, it predicts heat-related deaths in Sydney could rise by 444 per cent.<\/p>\n
The Climate Change Authority said the world is on track to see 2.9C of warming this century, based on current global commitments.<\/p>\n
In Western Sydney, where the impacts of extreme heat are already being felt, communities and experts are working on ways to better adapt.<\/p>\n
But they warn much more ambitious efforts are needed.<\/p>\n
Reducing the ‘heat island’ effect<\/p>\n
Many suburbs in Sydney’s west have less than 20 per cent tree canopy coverage. (AAP: Dean Lewins)<\/p>\n
Improving the number of trees and vegetation is one of the solutions receiving the most attention across Sydney.<\/p>\n
According to a Macquarie University study from 2020, trees and vegetation can lower temperatures by up to 6C on days of extreme heat.<\/p>\n
But many suburbs in Sydney’s west have less than 20 per cent tree canopy coverage, fuelling what’s known as the ‘heat island’ effect.<\/p>\n
Libby Gallagher, a landscape architect who has led urban cooling projects across Western Sydney, said this week’s report on heat risks was “obviously shocking” but not surprising.<\/p>\n
She said there has been a “big push” by councils to mitigate the effects of urban heat by improving tree cover.<\/p>\n
“That really is important to address the temperature changes that we’re going to be seeing, because trees are nature’s air conditioners,” Ms Gallagher said.<\/p>\n
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Blacktown City Council has planted more than 12,000 new trees in the past four years. (Supplied: Blacktown City Council)<\/p>\n
In Blacktown alone, where temperatures have reached 47 degrees, the council has planted more than 12,000 new trees in the past four years.<\/p>\n
Its mayor Brad Bunting said temperatures varied considerably even within the local government area, depending on the level of tree cover.<\/p>\n
“You can see a new suburb like Marsden Park, will be quite a few degrees hotter than a suburb just next door that has a lot of green space,” Cr Bunting said.<\/p>\n
Some councils, including the City of Parramatta, have developed heat maps to identify areas that are most vulnerable to urban heat, to be prioritised for additional trees.<\/p>\n
The NSW government also has an online resource called Cooler Places to help town planners, urban designers and councils to reduce urban heat.<\/p>\n
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Parramatta council has heat maps to identify areas more susceptible to urban heat. (Supplied: City of Parramatta)<\/p>\n
Cooling down notoriously hot spaces<\/p>\n
One of the biggest contributors to urban heat is outdoor car parks, and a recent project to improve green shading has shown positive results.<\/p>\n
The use of vine-covered structures at a car park in Merrylands has been shown to halve surface temperatures from 70C to 35C on summer days.<\/p>\n
The initiative, described as Australia’s first ‘cool car park’<\/a>, was funded by a NSW government grant program for urban greening projects.<\/p>\n Merrylands’ cool park has been described as a first for Australia. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)<\/p>\n Another solution being explored is the use of lighter-coloured asphalt for roads, with a trial by Blacktown Council finding it reduced temperatures by up to 11 per cent.<\/p>\n Bus stops are also a major concern, with hundreds identified across Western Sydney that do not have shelter or shade.<\/p>\n Sanaa Shah is with the advocacy group Sweltering Cities, which has been documenting the area’s “worst bus stops”.<\/p>\n Many submissions included bus stops that were completely exposed to the sun.<\/p>\n “Catching a bus on a hot day really should not be a health hazard,” Ms Shah said.<\/p>\n “Imagine on a 30C day or a 40C day, how dangerous it is to be catching a bus at one of those locations?”<\/p>\n Sanaa Shah says it could be dangerous waiting at a bus stop with no shelter from the heat. (Supplied: Sweltering Cities)<\/p>\n Rethinking artificial lawns and parks<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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