Dr Kim Loo works everyday as a GP in Western Sydney. Throughout summer she sees first hand the impact of extreme heat on her patients’ health. Dr Kim works with Doctors for the Environment as passionate climate activist. Her concern for heat health, climate change and belief in a greener future drives both her career and personal life. Sweltering Cities visited Dr Kim’s Western Sydney home to see how she lives sustainably, interacts with nature and heat proofs her home.
“The cheapest way to heat proof your house is the garden”
Dr Kim’s red brick home is nestled amongst many trees: native, deciduous and fruit bearing. These trees provide shade and cool the atmosphere through a process of evapotranspiration. Dr Kim is always seeking to improve the energy efficiency of her home. She has gradually altered her environment to optimise safety – adding and experimenting with various trees and plants – making her home an oasis.
By understanding the different ways the sun can increase the internal heat of her home, Dr Kim positioned her water tank on the west-facing side of the house. This has provided insulation for the family room. The beautiful garden is shaded by towering lilly pilly trees which her neighbours enjoy as much as she does.
“I have always wanted chickens, ever since I was little.”
The real heart of her garden is her beautiful chickens, in the upcycled palace of a chicken coop. Dr Kim repurposed her old swing set, shed and curtain rails to construct a home for her chickens. She was also interested in the cycle of waste: chickens thrive on her food scraps. By mindfully disposing of food scraps Kim is also reducing her carbon footprint. Across Australia organic waste enters landfill and contributes to production of greenhouse gases, including methane.
Over the course of eight years as a ‘mother hen’ Kim has innovated to protect her chickens from predators like foxes and dangerous heat. She has utilised nature to cool her chickens, just as she cools her own home and family. The chicken coop is the coolest place in the garden, made heatsafe by the shade of a grapevine. Kim also enjoys eating grapes from the vine: an added bonus! The chickens drink from a water dispenser which during summer Kim adds ice blocks to keep the water cool. On especially hot days Kim stores food scraps in the fridge before feeding the chickens a cool meal. The friendly chickens attract regular visits from community members who adore spending time in the chookpen. It’s not just children who love visiting her chickens, Kim has also entertained the occasional politician in the cooling comfort of her chicken coop.