CSIRO report advises farmers and fishers on climate change
Published: June 27, 2008
Source : CSIRO Australia
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.
Additional Comment
The CSIRO says global warning will require that fishermen will have to move to new areas, and fish farmers will have to grow different species.
The Adaptation to Climate Change report highlights that oceans are generally warming up and in the Southern Hemisphere fish species are moving south.
Alistair Hobday, CSIRO scientist advised operators in the fishing or aquaculture sectors should start planning now for changes that will occur over the next 20 years.
"I would really start to manage my costs," he was cited as saying.
"Climate change is just one of the things that fishermen and aquaculture operators can't change and I don't think they can stop paying attention to all the other things.
"They just need to recognise that the environment is changing and they will need to be flexible in future."
Source
CSIRO AustraliaRelated topics:
Recommend
Comment
Share
Would you like to discuss another topic? Create a new post to engage with experts in the community.
Featured users in Aquaculture
Chris Beattie
MSD - Merck Animal Health
Global Head of Aquaculture at Merck Animal Health
United States
United States
