David Pocock joins us in the fight against climate change in Australia
Rugby star David Pocock joins us to learn about climate change in Australia and what we can do to mitigate its impacts.
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From October 2019 to February 2020, fires ravaged Australia like never before. In the southern part of the continent, an area twice the size of Portugal was destroyed by flames, killing at least 33 people as well as an estimated 3 billion animals.
Although some of these fires were intentional, the combination of drought and very high temperatures had a lethal effect in triggering the disaster. Scientists have already warned that climate change is behind such natural disasters and that what is happening in Australia could happen again in many places around the world in the coming years if the temperature exceeds the 1.5°.
In this report on the state of Australia's climate, we asked David Pocock,former Australian rugby player and Wallabies captain to join us. David is now one of the continent's most committed public figures to the fight against climate change issues.
Would you like to join us?
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Climate change and droughts in Australia
In 2019, thermometers in Australia recorded the highest ever temperatures. As a result, this was not only the warmest year, but also the driest. Sydney and the neighboring regions of Blue Mountains and Illawarra were even subject to water restrictions for some daily activities. In addition, many farms, such as Matt Bartlett’s Farm in regional Queensland in the video above, saw their cattle die due to a lack of food because the lands were barren.
According to a study conducted by the Climate Change Institute at the Australian National University, with these new climatic conditions, Australia may no longer have winters as we know them, and instead suffer from a season called "new summer" with sustained temperatures of 40°C.
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Australia may soon have a season called "new summer" with sustained temperatures of 40°C.
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The Great Barrier Reef, an indicator of planetary health
One of the direct effects of global warming is rising ocean temperatures. This is in addition to ocean acidification, which is caused by an increase in CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The Australian Great Barrier Reef is all too familiar with these phenomena.
In 2016, 2017 and 2020, we were able to witness the whitening of part of its corals. What does this mean? Corals lose their colour when the organisms that coexist with them disappear, mostlydue towarm waters. Some corals may survive these crises, but if conditions do not improve, they will die.
The coral reefs are not just a simple, beautiful tourist attraction. They are one of the most biodiversity-rich ecosystems on the planet and thousands of sea animals depend on them to survive. Although they occupy less than 0.1 % of the total surface of the Earth's oceans, they serve as a habitat for 25 % of all marine species. In addition, their presence helps to protect coasts by reducing the force of waves and storms.
David Pocock joined us at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), where they provided us with a bit more detail about the importance of the Australian Great Barrier Reef and the threats that it is facing.
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Renewable energies and sustainable regeneration: keys to mitigation
There are other ecosystems in Australia that are more fragile now than ever before due to rising temperatures: the Coorong lagoon wetlands, the karst springs in the south and the coastal swamps in the Sydney Basin.
And this is just one local scenario that is repeating itself around the world, as every continent and every ecosystem is having to fight its own battles as a result of climate change.
The consequences of climate change can no longer be avoided but it is our responsibility, so what can we do? The solution inevitably depends on us following two paths:
- the widespread use of clean, renewable energies
- a commitment to sustainable regeneration and projects focused on restoring environmental, social and economic damage.
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Gunning Wind Farm and other projects fighting climate change in Australia
Because we know that decarbonisation and the mitigation of all these effects of climate change in Australia will depend on the development of renewable energies in the country, we invited David Pocock to visit the Gunning Wind Farm, built and operated by ACCIONA.
Through this project, the company not only provides clean energy to the community, but it also works with the local areas surrounding the wind farm in an effort to improve the social and economic fabric of the region.
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The Gunning Wind Farm, located in New South Wales, 70 km northeast of Canberra, is made up of 31 wind turbines, with a total power of 46.5 MW. This is the equivalent energy supply that it would take to power approximately36,000 homes annually. Through its operations, Gunning Wind Farm prevents the release of 160,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.
Furthermore, given that it is located on private land dedicated to grazing, the property continues to serve its original purpose and the sheep and cows live alongside the wind turbines in perfect harmony.
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A community-centred project
ACCIONA is proud to be involved with the local community throughout the entire life-cycle of our projects. We know that no two communities are the same, so for each project we work with the community to create a unique engagement and benefits program that shares the value of the project throughout the local area, in a way that really matters.
At ACCIONA's Gunning Wind Farm, a Community Benefit Fund and Sponsorship Program have been in place since 2011. In 2021, ACCIONA provided more than $30,000 in financial support to community groups in Gunning through these two initiatives, for an exciting range of projects.
ACCIONA were proud to be able to support 6 local community groups and organisations in 2021, across an exciting range of projects and events.
These initiatives allow ACCIONA to maintain its commitment to local communities and generate benefits that extend beyond its business in the broadest, most equitable way possible.
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A century making electricity from water
In many respects, it is a living museum. The beauty of its architecture, and the antiquated machinery sparkling within its halls, are a delight to behold. But a century after construction, Seira hydroelectric power station is still generating clean energy.
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