Aged care industry urged to act now on climate change
A national climate change expert has warned that the aged care sector could bear the brunt of rising water and energy prices, as global temperatures rise over the next century.
Speaking at the Aged Care Association Australia National Congress in Hobart, Dr Graeme Pearman from Monash University, said average temperatures are expected to rise by up to three degrees Celsius before 2100.
Research suggests that even a two degree increase in average temperatures would make Australian water supplies vulnerable, leading to higher prices.
Dr Pearman predicts that this would have a big impact on nursing homes which use large amounts of water for bathing and laundry operations.
He also said that climate change would have a big impact on the way facilities source and use energy.
The impacts of rising energy prices will start to be felt in less than two years with the introduction of a Commonwealth carbon trading scheme in 2010.
Dr Pearman said the industry’s high use of air conditioning and transportation meant it would have to take action now, and that improved energy efficiency makes good economic sense.
