The Mayor's Column
Have you been watching the stunning Sunday night series on ABC television entitled “Wild China?” This week’s episode featured Tibet, location of about 35,000 glaciers. The programme pointed out that Tibet will lose 80% of these glaciers within the next 30 years due to global warming and that Tibet is a barometer of our world. What happens there will affect us all. One of the most drastic global effects will be a dramatic rise in sea levels, particularly because of the ice melt.
Mosman joined our SHOROC partners of Pittwater, Warringah and Manly last week to co-host a very important seminar on sea level rise. Held at Pittwater, representatives from 24 other coastal councils participated. We coastal councils met to discuss our vulnerability in the event of sea level rise and all the issues surrounding it. Presentations made at the seminar can be found here
Scientific data shows that sea levels will rise, that it is inevitable no matter what we do. Global warming is accelerating at a faster rate than predicted, the ice caps are melting north and south.
As well as our partnership with SHOROC we also are one of 15 coastal councils in the Sydney Coastal Councils Group, which recently undertook a study and with the CSIRO mapped the NSW coastline, identifying those areas most likely to be impacted by the rising ocean. Information generated about the likely impacts of flooding, coastal erosion and water temperature is invaluable for developing strategies for feasible adaptation to deal with such issues as infrastructure, built environment, biodiversity and health.
Mosman is participating in a further case study. The responses will be analysed and used for developing tools to deal with risk management and forward planning.
Regular information on the project is available at Sydney Coastal Councils
Everyone in our community has a responsibility to reduce their own carbon footprint. One important step is installing a rainwater tank. We all should have one. This week on Wednesday 4 June, in association with The Master Plumbers Association, Mosman Council is hosting a ‘Water Conservation Workshop: Rainwater Tanks’, which will answer all your questions about tank installation and maintenance. If you miss it, information is available at Council and on our website.
Join over 400 households who are participating in the Mosman Climate Challenge which has been conducted in partnership with the Nature Conservation Council of NSW NOW.
Entries close 10 June.
Attend the final Challenge meeting on Thursday 19 June at 6.00pm in the Grand Hall of the Mosman Art Gallery and Community Centre.
Cr Denise Wilton, Mayor of Mosman
