The climate change action that’s already making a real difference now

From smart, sustainable concrete, to online tools helping our reefs survive – find out how these climate change solutions are already making a difference to our local communities. 

In a world where environmental challenges are becoming increasingly urgent, many Australians are wondering what the world is going to look like for future generations. 

When 30,000 Australians took part in the Flinders Wicked Problems Report, 23 per cent of South Australians identified the environment as a real concern for them. Surrounding that concern were the issues of climate change, natural disasters, how we can protect our natural resources, and the transition to clean energy sources. 

“It is clear that climate change is the single most important issue going forward - a warming climate will make life on earth uninhabitable - nothing else will matter,” one anonymous Report respondent commented.

The health of our communities is tied to the environment, which provides our food, air, and water. Managing these systems is crucial for prosperity. Climate change impacts sectors like agriculture, so collaboration with farmers, communities, and policymakers is essential. Innovative solutions, from green renewables to carbon sequestration, is needed. 

Thankfully, research is playing a crucial role in creating sustainable solutions to these problems. From reducing emissions and waste to conserving natural habitats and ensuring water security - recent advancements are making a big impact on our communities. 

Making our cities more sustainable for a greener tomorrow 

Conventional concrete is the most widely used construction material, with 25 billion tonnes produced globally each year. Its production relies heavily on non-renewable natural resources, contributing significantly to global resource depletion, greenhouse gas emissions (around eight per cent of global total), and construction waste, which can comprise up to 50 per cent of landfill.

Now, an international research group, including researchers from Flinders University, is building a case for more sustainable concrete by replacing synthetic reinforcement materials with natural fibres and materials from different waste streams. Lead researcher, Flinders University civil and structural engineering researcher, Dr Aliakbar Gholampour says this new type of sustainable concrete significantly lowers the carbon footprint of construction projects and also reduces waste. 

This eco-friendly concrete incorporates industrial by-products, such as fly ash (a residue from coal combustion) and slag (a waste material produced during metal extraction processes), which would otherwise end up in landfills. It also uses natural fibres to add strength to concrete such as sugarcane, hemp and bamboo. 

“With concrete, we can not only recycle huge volumes of industrial by-products and waste materials, including concrete aggregates [materials like sand, gravel, and crushed stone] to improve the mechanical and durability properties of concrete, but also use alternative eco-friendly natural fibres which otherwise would not be used constructively,” says Dr Gholampour.      

The impact of this new product on the community will only continue as the years progress. Sustainable concrete can be used in various infrastructure projects, from roads and bridges to buildings and footpaths. This means that as cities grow and develop, they can do so in a way that minimises environmental harm.  

But sustainable concrete is just one way to help make cities more sustainable. Creating safer and more sustainable urban environments, and adapting to the challenges of climate change is crucial and requires collaboration between researchers, local governments, and communities.  

In Southern Adelaide, a partnership between Flinders University and the City of Mitcham is leading the way. The partnership responds to the challenges of climate change, including the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like storms, droughts, and floods, and more frequent fire danger days.  The two organisations are sharing data, expertise, and strategies for providing solutions to these issues. Both parties are also suggesting climate related actions such as clean energy initiatives and sustainability projects that should take place at locations where both organisations manage crucial assets serving thousands of residents, students and staff.

Together, Flinders and the City of Mitcham can ensure the community benefits today and well into the future.

Protecting our water sources 

Water is a precious resource, and ensuring its availability is essential for both people and the environment.  For communities, research in this space is vital. Reliable access to clean water is fundamental to public health, environment, agriculture, and industry. By implementing sustainable water management practices, we can safeguard this essential resource for future generations. This means that even in times of drought or other challenges, communities can continue to thrive without compromising basic water needs. 

Flinders University has a team of leading environment and resource economists focused on protecting and using our water sources in a sustainable manner.  The long-term aim of this team is to improve the management and allocation of water in the Murray-Darling Basin and evaluate water scarcity’s impact on regional and farming communities. 

This group of researchers are addressing key issues like scarcity, pollution, and climate change impacts and are developing policies and technologies that promote efficient water use and protect water quality. 

However, when we talk about water, it’s also essential to remember that our coastal ecosystems, which are under threat from pollution, climate change, and human activities, also need protection. For coastal communities, healthy marine ecosystems are crucial. They provide food, protect shorelines from erosion, store carbon and support tourism and recreation.  

Now, marine genetics research from Flinders University is offering much-needed assistance for marine ecosystems in need of restoration and repair.  

An online tool, The Reef Adapt initiative has been launched to assist marine managers and restoration experts better strengthen the resilience of marine habitat-forming species. 

Researchers have studied the genetic makeup of diverse marine species, such as kelp and corals, and mapped out areas likely to have individuals that are already adapted to future environmental conditions. These could be used to bolster the resilience of other populations against climate change threats. 

The online tool provides users with maps that identify areas with populations suited to their specific restoration sites under current and future climate scenarios. Users can upload their own data to the site, further supporting the conservation of other species and areas. 

“Our world is changing now more rapidly than ever before; ideally, every restoration project would incorporate climate adaptation into their design, but the data needed for this are typically difficult to access, Reef Adapt puts this information directly into the hands of both managers and practitioners,” says Dr Georgina Wood, an Australian Research Council Early Career Industry  Fellow with Flinders University and Adjunct Research Fellow at University of Western Australia. 

The initiative was developed in collaboration with experts from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD), Flinders University and The University of Western Australia (UWA). 

This research not only helps protect marine life but also supports the livelihoods and well-being of people who depend on coastal resources. 

These projects, which focus on practical solutions that address real-world challenges, are critical. As we look to the future, it's clear that science and technology will continue to play a vital role in responding to the challenges presented to us. These projects are already making a difference in our communities, but much more needs to be done in this space. We need to  work together, so that we can build communities that are not only sustainable but also vibrant and thriving.

At Flinders University, we are dedicated to finding solutions to complex challenges with research that matters. In a groundbreaking initiative, we asked 30,000 Australians from across the nation to voice the problems that matter to them the most in their local communities, resulting in The Flinders Wicked Problems Report. Read more here.