Region. Climate change effect

Temperatures in Western Sydney are rising faster than the eastern suburbs leading to prediction hospital admissions will skyrocket by 2030. The Climate Commission said, in a report released today, that Western Sydney was suffering form “an urban island heat effect” with concrete, buildings an asphalt rising temperatures by 1C to 2C. The report said hot days had already increased 60 per cent in Western Sydney since 1970 and days in Sydney above 35C would balloon from 3.3 in 2008 to 14 in 2100.

Parramatta. Studying climate change

To better understand the direction and ramifications of rapid global change, the University of Western Sydney has created the Institute for Culture and Society drawing on researchers from many disciplines to develop a ‘big picture’ research program. The institute is located at the Parramatta campus.

Campbelltown. Computers and climate change

A panel of experts will explore how information and communications technology (ICT) can help the world tackle contemporary problems such as climate change, at a free forum, at the UWS Campbelltown campus, on April 24. "ICT is a major driver of innovation and is essential when tackling complex, interconnected, problems like climate change and keeping societies cohesive," said Professor Simeon Simoff, head of the UWS School of Computing and Mathematics. The forum is a highlight of an innovative conference drawing on expertise from around the world for the 3rd international United Information Systems Conference, the first to be held in Australia. Over 100 delegates from almost 20 countries are expected to attend.

Region. Impact of climate change

Western Sydney would face significant employment implications in at least three major domains, according to a UWS report on employment strategies in the region. One would be the direct impact of a carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS) or a carbon tax on the region’s producers, The second domain would be the movement of freight as the region is the prime destination for Sydney’s goods traffic Western Sydney had an “extremely” high rate of car-based commuting and this was noted as the third domain, said the UWS Urban Research Centre’s 398-page North-West and West-Central Sydney Employment Strategies report prepared for the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils.