As summers scorch, outdoor workers shift to evening shifts, leaving women
Rising temperatures force outdoor workers in Melbourne to nighttime shifts, but poor lighting creates safety barriers for women.
Melbourne gardener Lisa Nicholson now starts her day before dawn to finish outdoor work before midday heat makes labour unbearable. As temperatures rise with climate change, cities will shift more work, commerce and recreation to the nighttime economy.
Nicole Kalms, an urban design expert, warns that if women don't feel safe in unlit areas after dark, many will be forced out of work entirely. Tree canopy data shows sparse tree canopy hotspots in West Footscray, Seddon, North Essendon, Brunswick, Thornbury and Preston.
These are exactly where nighttime outdoor work would increase. Research confirms tree cover directly correlates with health outcomes and lower mortality.
Melbourne Assembly, a civic forum this October, will examine how the city can ensure its future workforce isn't divided by gender and light.
- Lisa Nicholson, owner of Petite Gardens
- Gardener
- October
- Forum timing
Why it mattersWomen may be locked out of the jobs they depend on if cities don't solve the safety gap between working in darkness and staying employed.
AustraliaMelbourne women in outdoor trades face losing income if the city fails to make nighttime work safe as climate forces the shift.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
