We all know that climate change is making Townsville's heatwaves worse - longer, hotter and more frequent than ever before. So, what can we do about it? How will our community adapt to ensure that no one is left behind in these silent natural disasters? We joined forces with Sweltering Cities, Once Upon Tomorrow and the Queensland Community Alliance to find out.

By Social Workers for Climate Action & Eco-Social Advocates

Many Thanks to Ian Frazer for sharing his review of Hot Water — Inside the battle to save the Great Barrier Reef (2024) written by Dr. Paul Hardisty with the NQCC community. Enjoy the teaser for a very important book!

In early February 2019, the Townsville region experienced its largest rainfall event in 120 years. Rainfall and floodwaters reached unprecedented levels, catching even long-term residents off guard. It was described as a 1-in-100 year event.

Now, just six years later, the region has received almost a metre of rain over one weekend, leading to flash flooding and mass evacuations.

The climate crisis is quite literally on our doorstep.

On a brief visit to North Queensland, our new Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell (pictured, left) invited us to meet with him to discuss environmental priorities for the newly elected LNP State Government. Our meeting was also attended by Member for Townsville Adam Baillie (pictured, right). 

Photo supplied by Diana Condylas

Every summer, Queenslanders face increasingly extreme weather events such as floods, storms, cyclones and heatwaves, all exacerbated by climate change. These events not only jeopardise the safety and well-being of our communities but also put an unnecessary strain on our economy.

The Whirlybird by Luna Prince

I poked my head out from under the house, resting my hands on the old metal gate. A loud silence had come over the usually busy street corner. The palm trees across the road were swaying to a song only they could hear. What had been glowing under a fiery sunset just moments before, was now covered in grey. Night had come and the wind was picking up. Kirrily was close.

All day my thoughts had been racing, imagining what may or may not be. I filled the hours preparing or restlessly waiting but mostly keeping busy to distract myself from the looming threat. This was my first summer on the northern coast and I was determined to make it my home. Summer days had spoiled me with lush green trees, dips in crystal clear waters, and an abundance of flowers and fresh fruit. But they also promised extreme weather.

Townsville residents know we're on the frontlines of climate change, and the need for strong local leadership on climate action and environmental conservation is higher now than ever before.

Last night, NQCC invited Townsville's three mayoral candidates to share their perspectives and priorities on all things related to climate, environment and liveability, as they responded to questions from NQCC and the community.

In February 2023, the Albanese Government consulted on the proposed design of the Safeguard Mechanism Reform. 

Each year the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) hosts a conference (a ‘COP’) of almost all countries around the world. This year, around 35,000 delegates representing countries ('parties'), non-party actors, and civil society travelled to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt for COP27.