Climate scientist poses critical questions for Benalla at town hall talk

By Contributed

May 27, 2024

**Former FCJ College student and Bureau of Meteorology climate scientist Dr Lynette Bettio spoke at Benalla Sustainable Future Group’s annual general meeting on May 24.** Photo by Contributed

The local effects of climate change was on the agenda when Bureau of Meteorology climate scientist Lynette Bettio spoke at Benalla Sustainable Future Group’s annual general meeting.

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The topic of her presentation on Friday, May 24, was ‘Climate extremes in north-east Victoria — current and future risks’.

Dr Bettio’s presentation included up-to-date data and graphical illustrations, reaffirming the well-established trends indicating a rapidly changing climate, including:

Hotter average global and local temperatures.
More frequent and severe heatwaves, and more extreme rainfall events.
Increased frequency of severe storms, coastal ocean surges and sea levels rising.
Ocean warming.
Diminishing average rainfall in most parts of Australia.

She said the BoM could not predict when and where severe storms or rainfall events would occur, so the implication was that all communities needed to ensure that every necessary facility was in place to cope with such an emergency.

“The facilities we have had in the past, and at present, may not be adequate to cope with the likely future events we will experience,” she said.

Dr Bettio also highlighted the health effects of climate change, citing two disastrous summers in Victoria’s recent history.

A BSFG spokesperson said before and after Black Saturday, 400 deaths were attributed to being caused by high temperatures, on top of the 175 people who perished in those fires.

As a result, the Victorian Government implemented a heat health plan, including setting up ‘cool refuges’ and asking communities to look out for their vulnerable people.

“In the January 2014 heatwave, the number of excess deaths attributed to heat was about 175, highlighting the importance of having an effective heat health plan in place,” the spokesperson said.

“Bushfires also generate a lot of smoke, causing an upsurge in respiratory illnesses, as well as significantly increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

“As a result of Dr Bettio’s observations, a number of questions were raised regarding Benalla’s level of tree cover for shade, especially in newer subdivisions.

“Temperature measurements show that shaded footpaths and asphalt roads are almost 30°C cooler than unshaded paths and roads.

“Comments were also made about the trend of houses being built with dark-coloured roofs, which increases temperatures inside a home, adding significantly to the cost of running air-conditioners.

“Others pointed out that an increase in extreme weather events has also increased insurance premiums; in some cases, doubling within the past two years.

“From an agricultural perspective, Dr Bettio talked about the decline in average rainfall in the vital growing seasons for pastures and crops.”

In the past 30 years, Benalla’s average rainfall in April/May and September/October has declined by 20 per cent.

This has had a serious effect on the stocking rates of farms and the varieties of crops sown, as well as native vegetation.

BSFG asked community members to check out the draft climate and environment document that Benalla Rural City was releasing this week for public comment, and submit their feedback.