I always endeavour to bring a pragmatic approach to issues I face. Pragmatic climate solutions, I believe, are far more directly beneficial for our local environment than political solutions.
A Pragmatic Climate Change Focus has been where my energy has been and will continue to be if re-elected in November later this year.
Things we can control.
Political Solutions are the province in my opinion of State & Federal Governments. Local Government is much better placed than the other two to address real issues. To identify and implement solutions that have a real, immediate, and lasting impact.
In other words, Council should, in my opinion, focus their energies on practical measures that will improve our local climate. Measures that will see us achieve our carbon-neutral goals. Our goal of being carbon neutral from our own activities. This, rather than feel-good measures like declaring climate emergencies.
Our monetary investment should likewise focus on solving that which will be beneficial to our local environment. Carbon Zero I understand will require us to consider purchasing carbon credits.
Because carbon credits help environments other than our own, I believe they should be utilised only after we have done all we can to eliminate or mitigate climate change concerns closer to home.
Addressing climate change will require us to identify the risks associated with the planning and reporting of all Council initiatives. Strategies, projects, developments etc. It will require us to quantify the emissions that our activities create and to track them so that we can identify how close to zero carbon we might be at any given time.
A pragmatic climate change focus requires Council to work on strategies such as the following:
- Improving the tree canopy cover of our council area.
- Increasing our greening the verge program.
- Redirecting our kerb side waste collections from landfill and developing a circular economy.
- Working toward entering a 100% renewable electric supply contract.
- Converting our vehicle fleet, both light and heavy, with electric vehicles.
- Completing the installation of solar to ALL council buildings, including the adoption of batteries.
My goal is to continue the work already commenced in these areas and ensure they are achieved in a timely manner.
Look out for future blog posts as I address each of the strategies identified above.
This article was written & authorised by Don Palmer. 19 Kelvin Avenue, Clarence Park.
Who wouldn’t agree with the sentiment that Council should ensure that the existing tree canopy is maintained and increased.
This is a long standing view expressed by council, councilors and the Mayor BUT Council seems to keep approving developments which result in the removal of many trees and in many cases, strip an existing block of all vegetation awaiting a new build.
Some trees need to be removed or dealt with if they pose a danger to life, but many are still being removed that are of no danger.
ACTION is required by Council by whatever means to achieve a better retention of existing tree in UNLEY and less wishful/hollow chat by Council personnel.
Thank you, Trevor. You raise an issue that burns with me. Whilst I understand why you believe Council approves developments; the fact is they don’t. I will respond to you shortly with another blog that explains who and what and under what authority developments are approved.