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Sustainable Living

We are all capable of making changes to respond positively to issues presented by climate change, to live more sustainably, and to reduce our impact on the environment we rely on for our health and wellbeing.

Below is a list of resources to help you identify actions you can take in your own home and community. Each action we take makes a difference.

To find out what City of Prospect is doing to reduce our environmental impact you can review our Environmental Action Plan 2018-2022. To see how we are working to reduce the impacts of climate change in our region through our partnership with Resilient East for a climate ready eastern Adelaide, visit the Resilient East website.

Resilient East is a regional climate initiative in eastern Adelaide. It is about making sure the eastern region remains a vibrant, desirable and productive place to live, work and visit, and that our businesses, communities and environments can respond positively to the challenges and opportunities presented by a changing climate.

City of Prospect is a proud partner of Resilient East, working together with our community to ensure our City is climate ready.

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Resilient East has identified the vulnerabilities, risk and level of adaptive capacity across the eastern region and has developed a Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Action Plan with input from government, business and community organisations.

The Adaptation Plan offers a range of regional and local adaptation pathways, which can help communities, businesses and the natural environment adapt, thrive and prosper. The Action Plan sets out our priorities for the region over the coming years. It will help implement the Adaptation Plan, and guide the actions we will take together to ensure regional benefits.

Who is involved?

Our partnership includes Campbelltown City Council, the Cities of Adelaide, Burnside, Norwood Payneham and St Peters, Prospect, Tea Tree Gully, Unley, the Town of Walkerville, Green Adelaide and the Government of South Australia.

Resilient East regularly works with people, agencies and organisations from all levels of government, NGOs, community groups, individuals and the private sector.

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Our goals

Our goal is to improve the resilience of communities, assets and infrastructure, local economies and natural environments so our region can cope with the challenges and opportunities of climate change.

Resilient East aims to:

  • build the adaptive capacity of our community;
  • create meaningful action;
  • overcome barriers to adaptation;
  • facilitate opportunities;
  • support practical and relevant adaptation measures; and
  • improve collaborative approaches, including sharing knowledge and experience, and, reducing risks and costs associated with climate change and adaptation initiatives

Please click on other initiatives as provided in the content below:

Climate Change and its impacts

Climate change is emerging as a vital issue for our community, with recent scientific research observations showing that societies and ecosystems are highly vulnerable to even modest levels of climate change.

Identified impacts for eastern Adelaide include:

  • More frequent, long-running and intense heatwaves. The number of days over 40oC is projected to double by 2050. The frequency and duration of heatwaves is projected to increase.
  • Less rain overall but more intense storms and flooding. Average rainfall is projected to decrease by 2050. The greatest decline is projected for Spring rainfall. In addition, the intensity of heavy rainfall events is projected to increase by at least 10% by 2050.
  • More frequent and extreme fire danger days. The number of extreme fire risk days is projected to increase by 200% in 2090.
  • Increasing temperatures. Average temperatures are projected to increase across all seasons by between 1.5oC and 2.0oC by 2050.

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Reducing Waste

Reducing your waste is one of the biggest things you can do to live more sustainably. You can reduce waste by: making less waste in the first place, reusing things or recycling. All of these things help to keep waste out of landfill. Remember, if you can’t reuse your waste, it’s important to get rid of it in the right way.

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Sustainable Food

Sourcing local, sustainably-grown meats and in season produce is great for our health and wellbeing. Growing your own or buying from local producers can reduce your carbon footprint. It also means it’s easier to get fresh food, and helps our local economy.

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Creating a wildlife-friendly garden

Establishing a natural habitat garden is a great way to support our unique plants and animals. Many local plants are great choices for landscaping and can be used in any style of garden. Wildlife friendly gardens provide stepping stones for native birds and other animals to move safely across our highly urbanised landscape.

Resources for creating native gardens:

Resources for native animals:

  • Fact sheets on creating wildlife habitat for individual species
  • Butterflies and moths: Butterfly Conservation SA’s website has ID charts and other information. They also publish two books – Attracting butterflies to your garden, what to grow and conserve in the Adelaide region and Caterpillars, Moths and their plants – both of which can be borrowed through the SA Libraries Network. They feature photos of the butterflies/moths as well as photos of what they look like as caterpillars.
  • Frogs: Frogwatch SA is a citizen science project to track frog locations in South Australia. Visit their website or download the app to learn more about our local frogs and listen to their calls.
  • Birds: Birds SA is a good place to start and the Aussie Backyard Bird Count run by Birdlife Australia has produced an app that can be used year-round and has a useful bird ID tool to help you identify what birds are in your garden.
  • Other animals: the SA Museum’s app ‘Field Guide to South Australian Fauna’ is available for free from the Apple or GooglePlay
Being water smart

Capturing rainwater to reuse inside and outside your home and reducing the amount of water you use in your house and garden are some of the simplest ways to reduce your impact on the earth.

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Energy

Save money and help the environment by using energy sustainably around your home.

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Building or retrofitting a sustainable home

Sustainable design includes optimising solar access, maximising energy efficiency, conserving water and choosing environmentally friendly building products. Building or retrofitting a home using sustainable design principles can save energy, water and money – while remaining comfortable all year round.

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Getting around by foot, bike or car

Transport accounts for 37% of the community’s carbon emissions in the City of Prospect. As you upgrade your vehicles, consider purchasing a hybrid or electric car. Replacing short car trips by cycling or walking instead is better for the environment and better for you.

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