A recent climate risk report warns that heatwave-related deaths in Sydney could increase dramatically, with projections indicating a rise of over 400 percent under severe warming scenarios. The National Climate Risk Assessment, released by the Australian government, highlights the urgent need to address urban heat, particularly in Western Sydney, where the effects are already being felt.

The report outlines three warming scenarios, predicting that even under the best-case scenario of 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming, heat-related deaths in Sydney would double. If temperatures rise by 3 degrees, the assessment estimates a staggering 444 percent increase in heat-related fatalities. Currently, heatwaves are the leading cause of climate-related deaths in Australia, surpassing all other extreme weather events combined.

In response to these alarming predictions, communities and experts in Western Sydney are exploring various strategies to adapt to rising temperatures. One significant focus is reducing the urban heat island effect by increasing tree and vegetation cover. A study from Macquarie University found that trees can lower temperatures by as much as 6 degrees Celsius during extreme heat days. However, many suburbs in Western Sydney have less than 20 percent tree canopy coverage, exacerbating the heat problem.

Libby Gallagher, a landscape architect involved in urban cooling projects, expressed concern over the report's findings. "That really is important to address the temperature changes that we're going to be seeing, because trees are nature's air conditioners," Gallagher said. In Blacktown, where temperatures have reached 47 degrees Celsius, the local council has planted over 12,000 trees in the past four years to combat rising heat.

The report also highlights the need for innovative solutions to cool notoriously hot areas. For instance, a project in Merrylands has successfully reduced surface temperatures in a car park from 70 degrees to 35 degrees by using vine-covered structures. Additionally, lighter-colored asphalt is being tested in Blacktown, showing a potential temperature reduction of up to 11 percent.

Bus stops in Western Sydney are another area of concern, with many lacking adequate shelter from the sun. Sanaa Shah from the advocacy group Sweltering Cities noted that exposed bus stops pose health risks on hot days. "Catching a bus on a hot day really should not be a health hazard," she said.

The report also critiques the growing use of artificial turf, which can reach surface temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. Professor Sebastian Pfautsch from Western Sydney University has advised schools to remove synthetic surfaces from playgrounds due to their contribution to local heat. He emphasized the need for serious consideration of the report's warnings, despite its limited mention of fossil fuels as a root cause of climate change.

As the government prepares to unveil its 2035 emissions reduction targets, the report serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of inaction. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen acknowledged the report's findings as a wake-up call, stating, "The cost of inaction will always outweigh the cost of action."

The National Climate Risk Assessment paints a sobering picture of Australia's future under climate change, with predictions of increased heat-related deaths and significant impacts on health, ecosystems, and the economy. As communities in Western Sydney work to adapt, experts stress the importance of ambitious efforts to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures.