Climate change research priorities for primary industries - discussion paper

Author: Annette Cowie and Helen Fairweather    Released/reviewed: 20 Feb 2008
Climate change research priorities for primary industries - discussion paper

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges currently facing society.

Forecasts of changing weather patterns present primary industries with particular challenges in how to predict, adapt to and mitigate against the impacts of climate change.

This discussion paper outlines the causes and effects of climate change, the impacts on primary industries, actions currently being undertaken by NSW DPI and identifies future research priorities.

As NSW DPI has undertaken climate-related research for more than a decade, the department is well placed to respond positively to the challenges ahead.

Helen Fairweather and Annette Cowie's paper outlines the key research required to assist primary industries cope with climate change.

There needs to be an initial emphasis on science and research because there are so many unknowns about the impact of climate change on primary industries and how best to respond.

This discussion paper focusses on identifying research priorities to help primary industries in NSW address the many challenges of climate change.

Climate change research 

NSW DPI is undertaking a wide variety of research into climate change.

 

Contents 

  • 1 What is climate change? 
  • 2 What causes climate change? 
  • 3 Australian emissions profile 
  • 4 Measuring climate change  
     
  • 5 Modelling climate change 
  • 6 What are the general impacts of climate change? 
  • 7 Observed climate changes in NSW  
     
  • 8 Projected climate changes in NSW and their impacts on primary industries 
  • 9 Responding to climate change 
  • 10 Current NSW DPI initiatives and links 
  • 11 Recommendations: key research priorities for NSW DPI to maximise mitigation and adapt to climate change 
  • References 
  • Appendix 1: summary of climate change policy initiatives implemented by the NSW Government 
  • Appendix 2: emissions trading 
  • Appendix 3: current NSW DPI climate change projects 
  • 1. Mitigation 
  • 2. Adaptation

Authors

Helen Fairweather
Research Leader, Climate Science and Irrigation Research
Resources Research Branch
Dubbo

Annette Cowie
Program Leader, New Forests, Forest Resources Research
Resources Research Branch
Cumberland Forest Science Centre, West Pennant Hills

With input from: Craig Barton, Jason Crean, Rick Fowler, Brendan George, Philip Gibbs, Roger Hegarty, Andrew Kennedy, Bob Martin, Brad Mullard, John Oliver, Bhupinderpal Singh, Christine Stone, David Wigginton and Fabiano Ximenes.