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Sustainability and Climate Change
Sustainability is Our Responsibility
There is universal agreement that urgent action needs to be taken if we are to save the planet. The importance of practicing and embracing the philosophies of sustainability is becoming a greater priority for communities due to the impacts of climate change, declining water supply and species biodiversity, and our ecological footprint.
It is now widely accepted that the global climate is changing; we can expect to live and operate in a climate that is warmer, has different patterns of rainfall, less available moisture retained in the soil and more severe storms and extreme weather events. These climatic changes are further contributed to by human activities that enhance the greenhouse effect, a process whereby certain gases in the atmosphere have the ability to trap solar energy as it reflects off the Earth's surface.
Salisbury's Commitment
Sustainability and responding to the issues of climate change should not be a stand alone policy, but rather an overriding strategy that impacts on all actions and responsibilities of Council. This includes the way we maintain our roads, collect and recycle waste, through to urban development and transport, and even the way we, as individual employees, behave in performing our everyday roles.
The City of Salisbury recognises that achieving sustainability is non-negotiable and the key to a better future for its citizens. Salisbury is meeting the challenges of sustainability in its own backyard, demonstrated by leadership in the fields of water conservation and management, waste recovery and the provision of open spaces.
‘Salisbury, Sustaining Our Environment: An Environmental and Climate Change Strategy'
The City of Salisbury is committed to an ongoing strategy of sustainability. This is not a narrowly focused initiative but one which is designed to achieve viable, fulfilling and rewarding lifestyles for our community, a thriving and progressive business sector and responsible and innovative management of the environment.
Salisbury has achieved much that has been internationally recognised as a benchmark for integrated suitable systems. ‘Salisbury, Sustaining Our Environment: An Environmental and Climate Change Strategy' further builds upon this work and puts forward a new framework for action to ensure the city continues to be a leader in sustainability practices and responding to climate change.
Download a PDF version of the City of Salibury's Sustainability Statement: ‘Salisbury, Sustaining Our Environment: An Environmental and Climate Change Strategy' (1.37 MB)
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