From 2027, new homes in Victoria won’t be connected to the gas network. Instead, they’ll be fully electric, powered by clean energy and equipped with efficient appliances like reverse-cycle air conditioners and induction cooktops.

This plan is a big step forward, especially for a state that currently relies more on gas in homes than anywhere else in Australia.

So why does this matter?

Because gas is a fossil fuel, and it’s polluting our homes and planet.

Cooking with gas is estimated to be responsible for up to 12% of the burden of childhood asthma in Australia, and the gas industry’s claims about “clean gas” don’t hold up. It’s mostly methane, a potent greenhouse gas that’s making climate change worse.

And the truth is, gas is costing us way more than it should. In 2022, our Switch and Save report found that the average Melbourne household could save around $1,200 a year by going all-electric.

So this plan doesn’t just clean up the air and our climate, it puts money back in people’s pockets too.

What’s in the plan?

The Victorian Government announcement includes:

• Phasing out gas hot water – from March 2027, only efficient electric hot water systems can be installed in Victorian homes. When an existing gas hot water system reaches the end of its useful life, it will have to be replaced with an efficient electric one.

• New buildings to be all-electric – already, new houses that require a planning permit must be all-electric. From January 2027, this will extend to all residential and commercial buildings (with a few logical exceptions, such as large industrial facilities).

• More efficient electric homes for renters and people living in public housing – from March 2027, landlords must begin providing decent insulation, draught-proofing, water saving showerheads, and efficient all-electric appliances for hot water, heating and air conditioning.

• A program to help Victoria’s gas appliance manufacturers upgrade their facilities and reskill their workforce. 

These are the smart, coordinated policies we need to cut climate pollution, protect public health, and protect families from the rising cost of living.

Where to from here?

Victoria is leading the way, and it’s time for other states to step up.

We congratulate the Allan Government on this strong move to help Victorians improve their homes and their health. Now we need other governments to follow Victoria’s lead.

A media release on the Victorian government’s plan to help households get off polluting gas is available.

The post Victoria’s plan to get homes off gas is a win for our climate, our kids, and our hip pockets appeared first on Climate Council.

No matter how you label it, coal is always polluting. In fact, it is the most polluting way to produce electricity. When coal is dug up and later burned in power stations, it releases massive amounts of pollution, damaging our health and contributing to intensifying climate change.

Along with adding to greenhouse gas pollution, burning coal emits toxic and carcinogenic substances into our air, water and land, severely affecting the health of miners, workers and surrounding communities.

“The overwhelming majority of scientists say there can be no more coal mines if we’re to have any chance of a safe climate. Medical organisations are increasingly recognising the health risks, with the British Medical Journal describing climate change as, “a health emergency’” – Dr Kate Charlesworth, Climate Councillor.

Image Credit: Unsplash

In Australia, coal’s health impacts cost taxpayers an estimated $2.4 billion every year and can cause a range of health problems including higher rates of childhood asthma, heart and lung disease, and some cancers. Over two million Australians are exposed to toxic pollutants from coal-fired power stations.  

In recent years, Australia has seen the re-emergence of coal dust diseases, including the life-threatening ‘black lung’ (coal workers’ pneumoconiosis) in Australia, which was thought to have been eradicated. Since 2015, there have been 35 confirmed cases.

There is a high probability that at least 11 people died from air pollution from the 2014 Hazelwood mine fire in Victoria.

Image Credit: “Morwell & Hazelwood – 9/10 Feb, 2014” by Flickr user Sascha Grant licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Worldwide, exposure to air pollution contributed to 4.2 million deaths in 2020. Of these deaths, 80 percent (3.3 million) were attributable to human-induced  emissions, of which 35 percent (1.2 million) were directly related to the burning of fossil fuels. Without fossil fuels, average life expectancy would increase by more than a year, and the economic and health costs associated with burning fossil fuels would fall by almost US$3 trillion.

Other countries are experiencing severe health impacts from coal. In China, 366,000 deaths were attributed to coal in 2013 alone. In India, coal kills about 169,000 people annually. In the United States, 50,000 coal-related deaths are recorded each year, with air pollution from coal-fired power stations contributing to four of the five leading causes of mortality in the US (heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic respiratory diseases).

“Just as health professionals advocated against the tobacco industry, so we have a responsibility to speak up against coal projects such as the Adani mine, which present such unacceptably high risks.” – Dr Kate Charlesworth, Climate Councillor.

Clean energy solutions are available now in the form of clean, reliable and affordable renewable energy and storage technology. The times are a changin’ globally, as investments in clean energy outstrip fossil fuels: for every dollar invested in fossil fuels, approximately US$1.70 is now invested in clean energy. Investments in solar are expected to overtake oil in 2023 for the first time, with low-emissions technologies accounting for 90 percent of all investments in power generation.

Image Credit: Unsplash

Kicking coal to the curb isn’t just a good idea for our climate, it will help save lives.

For more information on coal and its impacts on human health please see “Risky Business: Health, climate and economic risks of the Carmichael Coalmine”.

The post Killer Coal: Just how bad are the health effects of coal? appeared first on Climate Council.

If feelings of stress, sadness or frustration overcome you when thinking or hearing about the state of the planet, you’re not alone. In fact, research shows that 75% of Australian voters are worried about climate change.

The first thing to note is that these feelings are warranted. It’s completely appropriate to feel stressed or anxious about climate change. The impacts are unfolding before our very eyes, and are getting worse with every day we delay meaningful action. It is important to come to terms with those feelings, recognise that it’s okay, and channel them into something positive. 

At the Climate Council, we’re no stranger to these feelings, given we work on climate day in and day out. So we have compiled our best tips, tricks and resources to help you along your way. 

Remember: in the fight against climate change, we are all in it together. 

What is eco-anxiety?

Eco-anxiety (sometimes called ‘eco-distress’ or ‘climate-anxiety’), is a way of describing how people feel when they hear bad news about our planet, the climate, and the environment. 

You might feel anxious, worried, upset, scared, sad, angry, overwhelmed or unsure about the future. And that’s completely understandable: climate change is a very real issue, affecting lives, livelihoods, the economy and ecosystems right around the world. 

In fact, many psychologists suggest that eco-anxiety, in its most basic form, is not actually considered ‘anxiety’ – as those feelings are an appropriate and rational response to the situation that we’re witnessing.

What can I do to deal with feelings of eco-anxiety?

The good news is that there are plenty of practical things we can do to help soothe our worries and overcome feelings of eco-anxiety. 

Here are some of the best ones from the Australian Psychology Society’s guide for ‘Coping with Climate Change Distress’. 

1. Take action

Channelling your feelings of being overwhelmed or stressed into something positive that will help the situation is a tried and tested coping strategy. You could:

• Join a climate action group 
• Email politicians and big business to put pressure on them to act
• Change up the way your household operates by opting for public or active transport, switch power providers to clean energy, improve the energy efficiency of your home
• Sign up to the Climate Council for more tips for getting involved in climate action

2. Take a break

Constantly thinking about, hearing about and talking about climate change can be exhausting and emotionally taxing, so it’s advised to take some time off every now and then to recharge.  You could: 

• Make a conscious effort to avoid consuming news for a 24-hour period, or while on holiday
• Take a mental health day to yourself to indulge in the activities you love
• Try and build rest into your weekly routine

3. Have fun

Positive experiences are so important for motivating yourself (and others). Being able to enjoy the good times makes the hard work worth it! When we feel good, we are also more likely to want to throw ourselves into helping the causes we care about. 

4. Move your body

Exercise is crucial for maintaining good mental health and solid sleep patterns, so make sure you’re still moving those limbs daily! Walking, running, yoga and team sports are some of our faves – especially because they often require us to get outside into nature as well.

5. Focus on the solutions

We already have all of the solutions we need to solve the climate crisis! Focussing on these can give us a renewed sense of hope, optimism and remind us that we CAN fix this. Check out the Climate Council’s Instagram and Facebook pages where every Friday they share some of the best climate solutions and good news stories from the week.

6. Talk it out

Our relationships with other people have a powerful and positive effect in helping us to cope with whatever life throws at us, so lean on the people around you. Share concerns, thoughts and feelings about climate change with trusted friends, family and colleagues. If you don’t feel comfortable talking with someone you know, consider joining an online community of like-minded folk, or talking to a professional. 

For urgent immediate help, phone Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 13 11 14. To arrange an appointment with a psychologist, ask your GP for a referral.

Extra resources

• A new guide for parents: Managing eco-anxiety in your kids
• 5 tips for dealing with stress in uncertain times
• Coping with the climate crisis series – Psychotherapist Rosemary Randall on Youtube
• Eco distress for young people – Royal College of Psychologists
• Coping with climate change distress – Australian Psychology Society

The post Dealing with climate anxiety: tips, tools and resources appeared first on Climate Council.

My eldest child is now 11. So I’m adding one more issue to my list of parenting challenges: managing eco-anxiety.

All these worries – whilst valid and important – are dwarfed by the risk of our children not having a safe climate to live in. The adverse effects of climate change threaten our childrens’ right to a healthy existence in a safe, stable environment. 

In fact, children today are expected to have poorer health as they age than today’s adults do, because of the worsening and intensifying effects of climate change.

My psychology and paediatric colleagues report that once children get to the ‘tweens’ they start to comprehend the urgency and enormity of the climate challenge, and with that can come anxiety and depression.

A recent survey of 10,000 children and young people (aged 16-25 years) in 10 countries (including Australia) found that 59% were very or extremely worried about climate change, with 84% at least moderately worried. Of note, climate anxiety and distress correlated with “perceived inadequate government response and associated feelings of betrayal”. 

It is also important to stress, as mental health professionals are quick to note, that ‘eco-anxiety’ is not actually anxiety – it’s an appropriate and rational response to the robust scientific evidence and the climate breakdown that we are beginning to witness.

Given Australia’s unfortunate international reputation as a climate laggard, Australian children and young people today are likely to be particularly affected within their lifetimes. 

As parents, our primary responsibility is to keep our children safe and prepare them for the future. The climate crisis will impact their lives more than anything else, so what can parents do?

The advice from psychologists

• Listen to your kids, be honest in acknowledging the challenge and validate their feelings. 
• Attempts to discredit the science, diminish their reaction or shield them from the truth will only worsen the situation.
• Provide examples of the great climate actions underway by so many people around the world – and focus particularly on ones that inspire you, too. 

As a health professional, I tend to talk to my kids about what I know: climate solutions in healthcare. There are public health benefits of so many climate actions: cleaner air, healthier diets, greener and cooler cities. Parents working in other sectors – particularly in energy, business, agriculture and transport – could talk about the many opportunities of Australia becoming a renewable energy superpower and the exciting transformations underway in their fields. 

But these conversations should not be limited just to your line of work. Check out the Climate Council’s Instagram and Facebook pages where every Friday they share some of the best climate solutions and good news stories from the week – you will surely find something worth getting excited about with your children!

Change can start in your own households

Another piece of advice from psychologists is to think local. Work with your children to make changes in your home or within your community. You could also suggest they join a local climate action youth group. This is building your child’s ‘self-efficacy’: their belief that they can make a difference. This step has really important mental health benefits, as action is one of the best antidotes to anxiety. The Australian Psychological Society has a great guide for parents about the climate crisis.  

Of course, if you have a budding lawyer, there’s always the option of following along with important legal precedents of children taking the government to court for their failure to protect children’s rights – as in the Sharma case – and now countless others around the world. These are fantastic examples of children taking agency over their situation. 

Finally cut yourself some slack and focus on the important things: don’t sweat the small stuff. A few canteen lunches here and some screen time there won’t do too much damage to your kids’ futures. But continued inaction on the climate crisis will. So, at the upcoming election, vote the way your children would, if they had the chance: vote for climate action.  

Dr Kate Charlesworth is a mother, public health doctor and Councillor at the Climate Council.

The post A new guide for parents: managing eco-anxiety in your kids appeared first on Climate Council.

One year ago today, Sydney had among the highest levels of air pollution in the world – worse than Delhi and Beijing. In the inner west suburb of Rozelle, the air quality index rating was more than 12 times the threshold for ‘hazardous’ air quality (2,552 AQU). By the end of the ‘Black Summer’ about half of the Australian population had been exposed to hazardous levels of smoke pollution for weeks.

I’m a public health doctor living in Sydney, and even I didn’t know what to do: should my kids go school? How could they get any exercise? Should we get an air filter for the house, and if so what type? The truth is that the usual public health advice – stay indoors, don’t exercise outside, have your medications at hand – is designed for air pollution that lasts a few days, not weeks and months. Last summer, we were in uncharted territory. Australia has never experienced air pollution like it. Health departments didn’t really know what to advise nor what the health impacts would be.

We now know some of the health impacts of the bushfire smoke: more than 400 Australian deaths, more than 4,000 hospitalisations and nearly $2billion in healthcare costs. Sadly, these numbers will grow as more research is completed. We know that bushfire smoke contains a range of harmful chemicals and has been likened to tobacco smoke. We know that air pollution, previously thought to impact just heart and lung disease, is now linked with pre-term births, low birth weight babies, poor lung development and asthma in children, diabetes, stroke and some cancers.

Last summer we had smoke infiltrating critical care areas in hospitals and smoke-affected hospital equipment failing. There have also been disturbing reports from obstetricians about ‘black placentas’ from mothers who have never smoked. However, until we have large and long-term studies, we won’t know the full extent of what the ‘Black Summer’ fires cost us.

There is overwhelming scientific evidence – confirmed by the findings of the recent Bushfire Royal Commission – that climate change is driving more extreme weather, including droughts, heatwaves, bushfires and floods. It is clear, then, that Australians are paying a heavy price – with their health – for the failure of governments like ours to act on the climate crisis.

I remember taking my three children to Manly Beach one afternoon in August last year. At this point the fires were already burning, but watching my kids run around on the beach, we felt safe. Then, just a few months later, that same beach was shrouded in smoke, the air quality was hazardous and I was worrying about whether I should let my kids go outside the house to play. It made me realise how exposed we are to climate change here in Australia and how quickly it can change everything.

As one of the hottest and driest continents, Australia is on the frontline of climate change. Australia has already warmed by 1.44° C – significantly more than the global average of 1.1° C. In the health sector we have no national plan to respond to the health impacts of climate change. In Australia’s ‘Long Term National Health Plan’, climate change was not mentioned once. We are completely unprepared for the health service demands of escalating extreme weather and the climate impacts on our workforce, infrastructure and supply chains.

Just as importantly, Australia does not have an appropriate emissions reduction target nor a credible climate policy to minimise further damage. To the contrary, we have a national government spruiking a ‘gas-fired recovery’ when there’s growing evidence that with fugitive emissions, gas can be as polluting as coal. It’s also refusing to set a net-zero emissions target, despite over 80 percent of Australians wanting one.

Sydney Harbour Bridge with smoke haze.

There also seems to be little understanding from the Morrison Government that most climate actions would be hugely beneficial for our health: more jobs (having a job is a determinant of health), cleaner air, healthier diets, cooler and safer cities and more connected communities. My health colleagues overseas are aghast that Australia – which has among the most to lose from the climate crisis, but also the most to gain as a renewable energy superpower– is so regressive in the face of such clear solutions and benefits. In health, as in many other sectors in which international comparisons are being made, Australia is fast becoming an embarrassment.

In all this, there is one clear fact: climate change is harming Australians now, and we’re all at risk. Our COVID-19 response demonstrated that we can act when we need to. Climate change is an immense and growing risk and we must act urgently and decisively to protect ourselves and those we love. This is literally becoming the fight of our lives.

The post The Fight of our Lives appeared first on Climate Council.

Coming to terms with big problems, such as climate change and the coronavirus pandemic, can be hard and overwhelming. ‘Eco-anxiety’ has become a buzz-word of recent times, and rightly so – the impacts of climate change are scary, and only going to get worse if we don’t take urgent action now. And it’s a similar case for COVID19.

Carol Ride, the founder of Psychology for a Safe Climate, says the same strategies that help us deal with climate anxieties can help to manage coronavirus anxiety too. Here are her top five tips.

1. Talk it out

Chatting about our feelings can be tricky for some, but Carol says it is the first step to acknowledging and processing what’s going on around us.

“It is a great gift to offer deep listening to another person and it’s very healing to be heard and acknowledged for what we have expressed,” she says.

Keeping in touch with our friends is even more important at the moment while we’re keeping our physical distance, as maintaining a healthy social life is vital to managing stress. Carol recommends chatting via the phone or video chat, rather than texting or messaging.

2. Be kind to yourself

Both climate change and COVID are big problems, so don’t beat yourself up about feeling worried or unsure – those are natural human reactions to issues with unknown outcomes. But the key is to be aware of all this, to know it’s normal but to try not to focus on negative thoughts.

“The skill is to be self-aware and to choose for yourself what thoughts help you, and how you can let go or change what is unhelpful.”

Carol suggests practicing “conscious breathing, meditation, mindful self-compassion or yoga to calm your mind and body.”

Be kind to yourself: Carol suggests taking the time for self-care to help manage both climate and coronavirus anxieties.

3. Choose your news carefully

It’s impossible to scroll through social media, watch TV or turn on the radio without being bombarded by news about the coronavirus at the moment. While some of this is useful and important information, a lot of it can add to your sense of feeling overwhelmed. Carol suggests carefully choosing where you receive your news from, and when.

“Make sure you get information from reliable sources, but also place a limit on how much time you give to this,” Carol says.

Another handy tip is to restrict your news-consuming time to just an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening, but make sure you don’t do it just before going to bed. When it comes to both coronavirus and climate change, make sure you’re getting your information from a credible, science-based source.

Sign up to our email list to keep up to date with the latest climate news, and for more practical tips for how you can take action on climate change.

4. Move your body and enjoy nature

Exercise is crucial for maintaining good mental health and solid sleep patterns, so make sure you’re still moving those limbs daily! Some of our go-to forms of exercises, like team sports, boot camps and gym classes, might not be an option at the moment (and were even affected by the climate-driven bushfires during the summer), so you may have to get creative. Online classes, backyard workouts and solo walks around your neighborhood are good ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

If you can combine your exercise with time spent outdoors, Carol says this is even more beneficial. “Spend time in nature if possible – an early morning walk before others are around is great. Focus on gratitude for all that is wonderful in nature despite the difficulties at the moment.”

5. Seek help

“Some people will find they need some psychological help to support them at this troubling time,” says Carol. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

For urgent immediate help phone Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 13 11 14. To arrange an appointment with a psychologist, ask your GP for a referral.

In times of stress and fear of the unknown, harnessing hope is an important way to keep powering on. As Climate Councillor Professor Lesley Hughes says, “Hope is a necessary emotion, but more than that, it must be our fundamental strategy to keep us going. Lose it, and we are lost.”

Click here to find out 5 important climate actions you can take without leaving your bedroom!

The post 5 tips for managing stress in uncertain times appeared first on Climate Council.

With climate change turning up the heat, it’s time to prepare kids to head back to school.

Recent heatwaves saw much of Australia baking in prolonged 40+ degree heat. With summer far from over, there’ll undoubtedly be more to come.

Heatwaves are dangerous, killing more Australians than any other extreme weather events. Young school children fall into the ‘most at risk’ category. Following are some tips that parents, carers and teachers can use to keep children safe during heatwaves.

Young school children are vulnerable to the effects of heatwaves.

Throughout the day

• Stay hydrated and encourage those around you to do so too
  • Avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea
  • Provide children with chilled water
  • Keep drinking water regularly, even after it has cooled down
• Familiarise yourself with and watch for signs of heat-related illness, including: headaches, heavy sweating, rapid breathing, vomiting, confusion or deterioration in existing medical conditions
  • If mild, remove child from heat and initiate cooling
  • If more severe, seek immediate medical assistance

Drop offs/pickups

• NEVER leave children or animals alone in a hot car, not even for a moment
• Be hypervigilant and remind children to take care, as hot nights can affect sleep and lead to poorer judgement and increased accidents

Be patient with students, as heat disrupts their ability to concentrate.

In the classroom

• Train children in heat safety
• Minimise activities that involve physical exertion in the heat
• Keep the classroom cool and air-conditioned where possible
• Avoid using a fan when indoor temperature is higher than 37°C
• Make alternative arrangements for lesson locations to minimise heat exposure

Recess & Lunch

• Ensure children stay out of the sun as much as possible
• Provide plenty of access to shade and air-conditioned indoor areas during breaks
• Make sure anyone outside wears sun protection including a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses while out in the sun
• Ensure drinking water is always freely available
• Be careful around old trees, as they can drop limbs when it’s hot
• Ensure lunches are stored in cool areas
• Check and dispose of food if spoilt

Ensure children stay out of the sun as much as possible.

Sports

• As the heat rises, increase rest periods to allow more time for drinks and time to cool
• Postpone events outdoors or in facilities that lack climate control during extreme or prolonged heat conditions

Check with your school, council or state education department for information on their heatwave response plan.

Remember: In an emergency, call triple 000 (106 for people with a hearing or speech impairment).

MORE INFORMATION:

• ACT government: Extreme heat
• Australian Government Heatwave Lesson Plan
• NSW government: Supporting students during hot weather
• NT Government: Guidelines to prevent heat stress
• QLD Government: Managing excessive heat in schools
• SA Government: Hot weather policy
• VIC Government: Extreme heat and heatwaves (1)
• VIC Government: Extreme heat and heatwaves (2)
• WA Government: Heat and health

The post Keep cool this back to school appeared first on Climate Council.