Protecting Adelaide’s Parks: part of the climate change response
by Carla Caruso
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sends a dire message.
Projections include worse fires, longer droughts, and more severe floods. The United Nations has called it a “code red for humanity”. In just 10 years, global warming could push temperatures to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
Sunset over a dry Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama (Park 6)
Your Park Lands are one piece of the puzzle in battling climate change.
World Urban Parks, which advocates for green open spaces internationally, says: “Urban parks and green infrastructure play a significant role in climate change through education, mitigation, and adaptation. Parks are also critical infrastructure for urban resilience.
Bushland along the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri in Possum Park / Pirltawardli (Park 1)
“In addition to the immense challenge posed by climate change, cities around the world face shocks and stressors of all kinds daily. Parks may not be able to solve all of these problems, but they are key to inclusive, resilient and regenerative urban development.”
The National Recreation and Park Association in the US says: “While the impacts of climate change are daunting, there is growing recognition that parks can be part of the climate solution. Parks reduce harmful carbon pollution that is driving climate change; they protect people and infrastructure from increasingly severe storms, sea-level rise, heatwaves and droughts; and they also directly reduce some of the primary public health challenges that are exacerbated by climate change.”
Open Green Public space in Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16)
The City of Adelaide is taking a number of measures to reduce its emissions and adapt to the changes wrought by climate change.
The City Council also aims to increase green space across Adelaide, not only in the Park Lands.
Cycling through the urban forest in Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga (Park 25)
As the Council acknowledges “Greener spaces deliver benefits to the economy, character, and biodiversity of the local area, as well as improving the health, wellbeing, safety and social aspects of people in the area. This makes the city a more enjoyable place to be and to live. Importantly, greening is one of the most important ways for cities to adapt to our changing climate.”
However, the State Government seems to have other ideas. It is planning to build a $660 million stadium, a hospital and a multi-storey car park all on the Open Green Spaces of Park 27.