Adaptation case studies call
From the April 2008 edition of Agriculture Today.
In Australia’s highly variable climate, it is more difficult to detect a strong, clear climate change signal amongst the "noise" of this variability than in other parts of the world.
So whilst we know from the climatic data (especially temperature) that climate change is happening, it is not easy to distinguish it from this natural climate variability and respond to it directly.
For agricultural producers, this is a particularly important issue in terms of how they respond to climate change.
Perhaps the best way of explaining the difference is to regard climate variability as a short to medium term issue which requires a tactical response, whilst climate change is a long term issue which must be approached in a more strategic way.
Increasingly the words "impacts" and "adaptation" will become more familiar in relation to climate change.
The recent drought may not itself be a direct consequence of climate change, but most climatologists would point to record high temperatures which, in combination with record low rainfall in many regions, exacerbated its severity and impact.
It is widely argued that Australian agriculture has been characterised by highly effective management of natural climate variability, meaning producers will be well placed to adapt to climate change.
Farmers may rely heavily on this experience, but will also need to evaluate what new challenges climate change may pose and what responded will be effective.
As part of NSW Department of Primary Industries’ efforts to support climate change adaptation through the Climate Risk Management project, one of the key tasks will be to identify and document case studies on what producers around the State are doing in response to the impacts.
This includes changes already affecting production, and expected changes in future, based on the best current scientific information.
Because the impacts of climate change will not be uniform across the state, and are likely to be significantly different region to region or location to location, there will be no "one size fits all" solution or response.
Each producer, given the same information and knowledge could develop unique adaptation responses to suit their own circumstances.
NSW DPI is inviting producers and businesses supporting agriculture to nominate candidates who are considered to be leading by example, and demonstrating initiative in climate change adaptation.
For further information, please contact the DPI Climate Risk Management project team.
Contact Gary Allan, Orange, (02) 6391 3902, gary.allan@dpi.nsw.gov.au or Michael Cashen, Tocal, (02) 4939 8953, michael.cashen@dpi.nsw.gov.au In Australia’s highly variable climate, it is more difficult to detect a strong, clear climate change signal amongst the "noise" of this variability than in other parts of the world.
Also in this edition:
