At Parents for Climate, our inbox is usually a hub for advocacy and community organizing. But during a recent heatwave, a different kind of opportunity landed: a journalist wanted to investigate the dangers of astroturf and synthetic playground surfaces.
We knew this was the perfect moment to show what extreme heat actually means for our kids. We just needed a volunteer in Melbourne willing to hit the pavement with a heat gun.
The mission: Citizen Science in the Sun
Local dad Ben Cox didn’t hesitate. Armed with a laser thermometer, he headed to a local park to see just how hot our kids’ play spaces are getting.
The results? Absolutely mind-blowing. You can see Ben in action here.
Despite it being overcast and windy at the time, the temperatures Ben recorded were dangerous. On a 40°C day, some synthetic surfaces clocked in at a staggering 63 degrees!
Ben at the playground measuring the heat
"It was so freaking hot," Ben said. "I highly recommend not going to a playground on a 40-degree day with two little kids!"
Other local parents agree. Melbourne Mum, Saumya echoed the sentiment: "We know it gets hot on these surfaces, but actually seeing the measurement of how hot it really gets is a total wake-up call."
From the park to the Today Show
Ben’s "citizen science" didn't just stay in the neighborhood group chat. His story was quickly picked up by The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, sparking a massive conversation about how we design our cities for a warming world.
The momentum moved fast.
The newspaper coverage caught the eye of producers at Nine’s Today Show. After getting a call late one afternoon, Ben was in the studio the next morning at 7:45 for his first-ever live TV appearance!
Why This Matters
Publicly measuring these temperatures might seem like a small act, but it tells a much bigger story. On national TV, Ben nailed the message, linking these scorching playgrounds directly to our warming climate and the risks to our children’s wellbeing.
This isn’t just about "hot feet." As heatwaves become more frequent, the spaces designed for our kids are becoming literal heat traps. By simply sharing the data, Ben showed Australia why we need climate-sensible playgrounds and urgent cooling in our communities.
For Ben, the motivation is clear:
“My kids can’t play on the playground because it’s too hot. There are bushfires across the state. This is something we need to care about. This is caused by the burning of coal, oil, and gas. It’s something we can - and need to - stop doing as soon as we can.”
Bravo, Ben! Thank you for getting out there and speaking up for our kids.