From the beach to the bush, Australia provides wonderful spaces and opportunities to enjoy being outdoors, get active and share time with others. But being outdoors means exposure to intense levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the leading cause of skin cancer.
More than 95% of skin cancer in Australia is due to UV exposure. Most skin cancer can be prevented by being SunSmart - using personal sun protection measures (covering clothing, wide-brimmed hat, SPF50 or 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses) and shaded environments.
Shade can be a practical and effective form of sun protection with well-designed and positioned shade shown to reduce overall UV exposure by 60% to 90%.
In addition to protecting us from harmful UV, shade provides co-benefits for the environment and health including heat mitigation ensuring comfortable, safe and continued use of these spaces. Shade has been shown to reduce surface temperature by 20°C with the lowest air and surface temperatures consistently recorded under tree canopies.
Research shows that if shade is available people will use it.
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What is a shade comparison check?
The shade comparison check is a simple tool to help you review the need for shade at specific sites, the amount and quality of shade currently available and if further shade is required. Results of the shade comparison check can be used to:
- confirm areas that have a greater need for shade
- confirm if your current shade supports best possible UV protection
- demonstrate the need to improve existing shade
- seek support and funding to develop new shade
- plan long-term landscaping and development works to achieve better shade outcomes.
The tool also helps guide the review of important shade design considerations. How well does your current shade or any new shade plans address these key points?
Shade design considerations
UV can reach you directly from the sun. It can also be reflected off different surfaces and scattered by particles in the air. Dense shade (natural, built or a combination) and low UV reflective surfaces help to reduce direct and indirect UV exposure and related UV harms.
For best UV protection, consider:
- Shade characteristics
- Has the shade location and orientation been designed to provide most shade during peak UV periods?
- What expanse of shadow will be provided?
- Do the shade materials provide good, long-lasting UV protection?
- Does the shade have side protection?
- Reflected UV radiation
- What is the ground cover or surface under the shade?
- What are the surrounding vertical and horizontal surfaces?
- Diffuse (scattered) UV radiation
- How much of the sky is visible under the shade?
How does it work?
The shade comparison check should be conducted during peak UV months, ideally during the middle of the day.
Step 1: Select the site/s at your location that you want to check.
Step 2: Photograph the site/s as you go through the shade check to highlight available shade and areas for improvement.
Step 3: If your shade check location has multiple defined activity sites (for example, a school may have different activity zones such as the quadrangle, sports fields, adventure playground, etc.) record information about each site separately. On completion of reviewing each site , you will be given the option to check a new site.
At the end of the shade check you will receive a score out of 33– the higher the score, the higher the need for shade in that area. You should combine the findings from the report with the score to determine your shade priorities.
Start shade comparison check