Understanding Climate Change

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Climate change has often been discussed as a future problem. But globally and locally, we can see the effects of climate change happening now. 

Historical temperature records show us that the planet’s average temperature has already heated 1.1°C since industrialisation. This is a global average, meaning that in some places, temperature rise is higher. Australia has already experienced more than 1.4°C of warming since 1910.

As a result of changes in the climate system, we are seeing more extreme events. Bushfires, droughts, cyclones and floods are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. With every degree of warming, the atmosphere holds 7% more moisture, leading to larger rain events and flooding. In many places, longer dry spells are occurring between more intense downpours.

All these effects of climate change are happening now and are projected to accelerate into the future.

Information collected on climate change for City of Launceston was funded by the Northern Tasmanian Councils and completed in June 2021, climate scientists were engaged from University of Tasmania's (UTAS) Climate Futures Programme to conduct research to provide a summary of the future climate changes that are expected for the Launceston region. 

This research resulted in the 
Climate Change Information for Decision Making Summary(PDF, 690KB) and the City of Launceston Climate Summary 2022 and has been used in the development of this webpage and provides insights for the development of our strategies and plans. 

What are the risks for Launceston?

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Although there are clear changes in projections of future climate in Tasmania, the fact that Tasmania is an island means that the changing climate is moderated to a certain extent by the surrounding ocean.
Tasmania still sees an overall drying and warming trend, with a doubling of bushfire frequency and severity by 2100. Projections for Launceston in terms of changes to 2100 are less extreme compared to projections for other parts of the planet.

A set of climate measurements specific to the Launceston region were developed in consultation with the Launceston Community and the City of Launceston to identify the measures of most interest. They cover five broad areas:  temperature, heat extremes, frost and cold extremes, rainfall and evaporative demand, and bushfire risk.

Information such as this is vital for planning to reduce the impact of climate variability and longer-term climate trends. 

How is Council responding to climate change?

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The City of Launceston declared a climate emergency in August 2019 acknowledging that the urgency created by climate change requires immediate and collaborative action across all tiers of government.

The commitments set by this declaration have been achieved and included:

City of Launceston Climate Summary 2022

To provide a future climate outlook for the Launceston region, climate scientists and science communicators from the Climate Futures program at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) were engaged for this research project, funded by the Northern Tasmanian Councils. The project was completed in June 2021.

City of Launceston Climate Summary 2022

Tools to help you deal with climate change

Find tips and useful resources to help empower you to adopt simple, sustainable lifestyle changes that help you save energy and water, reduce waste and make a positive impact now and for the future.

Pages on our website:
For tips on Living Sustainably, please visit this page.
For information on Environmental Groups and Communities in Launceston, please visit this page.