**Please note Versatile Tanks DO NOT repair water tanks**
Each decade can be defined by its fashion, music or major achievements such as the moon landing. However, one looming issue has not only defined the past decade but our entire lifetimes as well – climate change. By 2050, water tanks such as a fire fighting water tank will become an essential part of our lives.
Starting to heat up
In only the past 10 years, Victorians suffered through the two worst heatwaves on record in 2009 and 2014. On top of this, Victoria has also been experiencing a decrease in winter rainfall. According to Environment Victoria, winter rainfall has decreased about an average of 100mm per year since 1990.
An assessment released in 2020 by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute predicted that global warming will increase the risk of bushfires in Australia by at least 30%. If the global temperature rises by a least 2 degrees Celsius, the likelihood of bushfires occurring would be at least four times greater.
This is also an optimistic prediction. The Met Office Hadley Centre, a leading centre in the UK for climate change, has predicted that the world is on track to see an increase of 3 degrees Celsius in the global temperature – by the end of this century.
Climate change and bushfires
The CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) has released its latest climate projections under the worst-case scenario. It predicted that by 2050, Melbourne could experience hotter days during summer with the hottest day reaching 50 degrees Celsius within the next few decades.
But how does climate change directly affect bushfires?
According to the Climate Council, there are four main factors. Increased lighting from a warm climate means more chances of bushfires occurring, along with longer fire seasons. Hotter temperatures bring longer and hotter heatwaves, resulting in more vegetation and soil drying out and becoming fuel for bushfires.
The importance of preparation
There are already various regulations in place to help combat the spread of bushfires, including requiring each property that falls under the BMO (Bushfire Management Overlay) to install a static water supply such as an underground fire fighting water tank. As temperatures continue to rise, water security becomes an increasing concern.
Apart from storing stormwater in fire fighting water tanks in the event of bushfires, harvesting every drop of rainwater in a water tank is crucial as the climate continues to heat up. Having a reliable source of water for drinking, farming, watering our gardens, bathing, washing and more is one of the most important steps towards being prepared for an uncertain future.
Whether you are renovating/building a property within the BMO or wanting to install an underground concrete rainwater retention tank, a fire fighting water tank, a stormwater detention tank or more, contact Versatile Tanks.
