Australia
June 26, 2008
CSIRO today released a
national
overview of climate change impacts and adaptation options
for Australian agriculture.
Bringing together the latest science from research groups around
Australia, the report includes chapters on each of Australia’s
major agricultural sectors, with a focus on steps that can be
taken to adjust to the ongoing changes in our climate.
Speaking to the Farm Writers Association of NSW in Sydney today,
co-editor of the report, CSIRO scientist Dr Mark Howden, said it
was time for agriculture to start focussing on proactive
solutions.
“Adapting to climate change will involve everything from changes
in crop varieties, through to improved seasonal forecasting, up
to revised national policies and programs,” he said.
“For many agricultural businesses incremental changes may be
enough, but some regions and industries will need to be open to
more transformative changes.”
“We’ve applied the latest climate change projections to build a
picture of the challenges that will affect all types of
agriculture in all corners of the nation,” Dr Howden said.
Prepared for Land and Water Australia (LWA) the report - ‘An
overview of climate change adaptation in the Australian
agricultural sector – impacts, options and priorities’ -
updates and expands the previous national synthesis done by
CSIRO in 2003.
“We’ve applied the latest climate change projections to build a
picture of the challenges that will affect all types of
agriculture in all corners of the nation,” Dr Howden said.
The report also emphasises the importance of building adaptive
capacity among farm managers, agri-businesses and industry
groups.
“The past climate is no longer a good guide to the future
climate, so having the skills and resources to respond flexibly
will be essential,” Dr Howden said.
The report is being released as part of a series of talks being
presented by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists
and CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship in Brisbane, Sydney,
Adelaide and Perth today and tomorrow, with support from the
Agricultural Research WA, Climate Adaptation Program.
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Report details
This report brings together the latest science from research
groups around Australia, and provides an overview of the
steps that need to be taken to adjust to the ongoing changes
to our climate.
Prepared for Land and Water Australia (LWA) it updates and
expands the previous national synthesis produced by CSIRO in
2003.
The report includes relevant and useful information for the
following agricultural sectors:
grains
cotton
rice
sugarcane
viticulture
horticulture
forestry
grazing
intensive livestock
water resources
fisheries and aquaculture.
The full 340 page report
will be available in book form later this year from CSIRO
Publishing.
Full report in PDF format:
http://www.csiro.au/files/files/pleo.pdf
National
Research Flagships
CSIRO initiated the National Research Flagships to provide
science-based solutions in response to Australia’s major
research challenges and opportunities. The nine Flagships form
multidisciplinary teams with industry and the research community
to deliver impact and benefits for Australia.
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