With one of the largest El Nino events in recorded history intensifying in the eastern Pacific, the Greens are encouraging Tasmanians to take heed of the Red Cross Emergency Redi week message and be prepared.
Meteorologists are warning of a very hot and dry summer, with increased bushfire and weather risk. Now is the time to get ready.
The experts in disaster recovery, Red Cross is encouraging people to get in the know and understand their level of risk.
Red Cross also recognises the strongest communities are the safest communities, encouraging people to connect with neighbours and be ready to help each other in case of emergency.
Being organised is key, with the Red Cross urging people to create a practical and psychological emergency plan, and to build and maintain an emergency supplies kit.
The lessons from raging summer fires in the northern hemisphere this year is that fire behaviour is changing, becoming harder for emergency services to control, and placing more people, animals, places and infrastructure at risk.
To help greater Hobart get ready for the El Nino summer, my Greens’ Clark colleague, Vica Bayley MP, and I are hosting the aCLIMATisE forum at City Hall on 30 September from 1-6pm.
We take our responsibility to look after our community and be part of climate solutions seriously. We want to give Tasmanians useful, up to date information and tips from experts so they can be more ready for what is coming.
Guest organisations and speakers include Red Cross Tasmania; UTAS Professor Gretta Pecl; fire ecologist, Professor David Bowman; former Tasmanian fire chief and member of the National Emergency Leaders for climate action, Mike Brown; Tasmania Fire Service; RACT Insurance; Aboriginal community leaders; Unions Tasmania; and Climate Futures Tasmania scientists.
As an island community, we aren’t immune from the looming impacts of the climate-fuelled El Nino and we can’t be complacent. We can and must, however, be prepared.
