Call to tackle climate change from Shepparton’s state MP.

Over the next few weeks, The News will run a series of interviews with community leaders about their views on climate change. We asked four questions: 

1: What is your position on global warming and climate change? 

2: Are we doing enough to mitigate the impact of climate change in the region? 

3: Do community and business leaders have a role in advocating for more action, and positioning our region to take advantage of emerging opportunities? 

4: What is your number one priority to help mitigate the impacts of climate change?

Today we feature the responses of State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed.

State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed.

What is your position?

The dairy industry strategy for the Murray region for 2019, ‘Future Focus’, has rated climate change as one of most significant challenges facing the industry. It points out that the future operating environment is likely to be characterised by increasing variability and volatility requiring adaptation.

Organisations and industries in our community have been adapting and continue to innovate in preparation for further change, but it is time there was a broader acknowledgement from our government.

Faced with this unfolding national and global crisis, it can be easy to wonder what one person or one electorate or even one country can do. The onus is on all of us to come together, individually, nationally and internationally, to address this crisis.

Are we doing enough?

Tackling climate change is being taken very seriously by many at the personal and local government level. Initiatives include those being undertaken by the Greater Shepparton City Council, led by chief executive Peter Harriott, who joined me at the recent students’ climate change rally in Maude St. It is encouraging council is moving to electric vehicles in their car f leets and supports the One Tree Per Child program. These are local actions that have been taken to reduce the region’s carbon footprint.

In 2017, I voted for the Climate Change Act (Vic) to achieve zero net emissions in Victoria by 2050 and set interim emissions targets for 2025 and 2030.

But the Federal Government is not doing its part. I was disappointed to see Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor walk away from the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid with no meaningful commitments.

I believe our community is crying out for leadership on energy and climate change but federal leaders are missing in action on these issues.

We almost had an energy policy with the National Energy Guarantee but the then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull could not get it across the line — and the rest is history.

Do community and business leaders have a role?

Everyone has a role. Our community and our young people are depending on us.

Climate change is exacerbating normal conditions, such as high temperatures and drought, and all the predictions are that this will continue and likely worsen in south-east Australia. Most of the action being taken in relation to climate change is coming from business and industry leaders who understand the science and the future impacts and are being innovative in their attempts to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The uptake of solar energy in our region is heartening, and businesses and homeowners have been turning to alternative energy sources for some time.

It is often overlooked that our farmers are some of our best environmentalists. Good environmental practices make for profitable farms. It is essential that we invest in projects to improve efficiency of water use and also act to maintain our natural environment.

What is your number one priority?

The big picture is a move away from carbon energy sources such as coal and to take action to reduce, as quickly as possible, the rising global temperature.

It is important for clear information to be provided to everyone of the impact of not adopting such a policy and also what the impact on our day-to-day lives will be of adopting such a policy. Communities must be brought along in the process and access to clear information is essential.

While there are major policy issues to address I am also passionate about planting more trees. I want to see large-scale programs introduced by governments to plant forests and care for trees. We have the people and the resources capable of doing this work.

It is happening in other countries such as China and the United States and it should become a priority here.

Trees regulate temperature, CO2 and oxygen levels. They encourage rainfall. They enrich the environment and function as carbon sinks.

If I could encourage a single policy, particularly at a local level, it would be a much greater commitment to large-scale tree planting and their ongoing care in our regional towns and here in Shepparton.

It is incredibly disappointing to see beautiful trees planted in our streets and then not looked after. The street I live in has had significant investment in tree planting over the years. So many do not thrive, presumably through neglect — and, of course, vandalism is an issue.

I would like to see every householder take responsibility for the trees on their nature strip and ensure they have enough water to grow and provide shade. This will become much more important as our climate gets hotter and it is large trees that will be even more important. The most beautiful streets in any town or city are those that are lined by large, shady trees.

Story from The Shepparton News - “Call to tackle climate change from Shepparton’s state MP.”