How To Be A “Climate Prepper” 20th Uraidla Sustainability Fair

The Uraidla Sustainability Fair celebrated its 20th anniversary with a powerful and inspiring event. Hosted and presented by Professor Andrew Lowe, this year’s theme, “From Roots to Canopy: Celebrating Success and Inspiring the Future,” highlighted the pressing need for climate preparedness and sustainable action.

A key feature of the fair was an expert panel discussion on preparing for extreme climate events, with a focus on hope and action. The panel, dubbed “Climate Preppers,” brought together specialists from diverse fields to address solutions for adapting to a changing climate:

• Paul Hill: Electricity supply and independence
• Mell Bradley: Water harvesting and flood mitigation
• Sophie Thomson: Growing food and enhancing wellbeing
• Nigella Tarr: Youth perspectives (Year 12 student)

Professor Lowe’s address underscored the severe impacts of climate change and outlined practical strategies for addressing the challenges we face, with an emphasis on building more resilient, sustainable, and liveable communities. Some of these challenges include rising temperatures, loss of biodiversity, food insecurity, extended droughts, and intensified storms, to name a few.

How to Create Climate-Resilient Food Systems
Gardening expert Sophie Thomson, well-known for her work with Gardening Australia and ABC Radio, shared her insights on the importance of homegrown food. She emphasised that growing one’s own food is a fundamental skill that not only alleviates the cost of living but also ensures food security. Homegrown produce is richer in nutrients, free from chemicals, and uses significantly less water than large-scale agricultural systems.

The future of power systems in a climate changed world
Paul Hill addressed the vulnerabilities of Australia’s power grid in a climate-impacted future. He highlighted how existing infrastructure is designed to withstand only 1-in-100-year weather events, while more extreme 1-in-1000-year events are becoming increasingly common. Key concerns included:

• Increased risks for regional and remote communities
• Strain on supply chains due to extreme weather events
• Growing reliance on standalone power systems in remote areas due to rising maintenance costs

Hill also explored solutions such as decentralising energy systems, allowing greater solar energy exports to stabilise the grid, and integrating Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) to enhance energy security at the community level.

Water systems in a changing climate
Water systems expert Mell Bradley discussed the future of water security in Australia, the driest inhabited continent on Earth. Traditionally, surface water resources from the Mount Lofty Ranges and the River Murray have supplied most of the region’s needs. However, reliance on these sources presents challenges as climate change exacerbates water scarcity. Bradley emphasised the importance of designing cities that reduce dependence on potable water by integrating:

• Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD)
• Rainwater harvesting
• Wetlands, swales, and permeable paving
• Large-scale stormwater harvesting and wastewater recycling

Practical Steps for a More Resilient Future
When it comes to gardens and food production, individuals can:

• Compost to improve soil health
• Use community gardens to support shared food security and wellbeing
• Support local food systems such as farmers markets

In terms of power systems, we can:

• Reduce reliance on centralised power grids
• Increase home solar energy exports to support local networks
• Electrify homes to shift from gas dependence, lowering both costs and emissions

For water systems, communities can:

• Implement water-sensitive urban designs in new development
• Encourage councils to retrofit urban landscapes with water-efficient infrastructure

Youth Perspective
Nigella Tarr posed thought-provoking questions to the panel, addressing the challenges young people and renters face in mitigating their climate impact. She asked how individuals with limited control over their living situations can still adopt sustainable practices, maintain a vegetable garden, and push for climate action despite government inaction. She sought advice on how young people with limited financial resources can stay informed and make impactful choices. The discussion also explored how to balance the urgency of the climate crisis with hope, integrate Indigenous knowledge into climate solutions, and ensure that vulnerable communities are prioritised in policies and the transition to a green economy.

Looking Ahead
The 20th Uraidla Sustainability Fair reinforced the importance of proactive climate action at both individual and community levels. With climate change presenting increasing challenges, the event served as a reminder that solutions exist—and they begin with local action. From energy resilience to sustainable food and water management, the panellists provided a roadmap for a cooler, greener, and more sustainable future.

By embracing these strategies, communities can prepare for a changing climate while fostering greater security, wellbeing, and environmental stewardship.

More information
Transcript for the panel
Audio for the panel
Uraidla Sustainability Fair