THE issues paper developed to inform the Agricultural White Paper has a curious omission: it doesn't mention climate change. The White Paper is intended to guide agricultural policy in the long term. The absence of climate change from the issues paper indicates that its architects don't see climate change influencing agriculture into the foreseeable future. That is at odds with most experts in climate, and those working at the interface of climate and agriculture. In the 2011 CSIRO report, Climate Change: Science and Solutions for Australia, scientists Chris Stokes and Mark Howden wrote that "There is a national imperative to equip Australian agriculture to be prepared to adapt to climate change". That sense of urgency has disappeared with the Coalition government. Since it came to power, a senior scientist told Fairfax, research on climate change adaptation "has effectively closed down". By contrast, Australia's major competitor in global commodity food markets, the United States, is investing heavily in climate change adaptation. The US Department of Agriculture's 2014 proposed budget includes US$98 million earmarked for programs researching interactions between climate change and agriculture. https://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/ag-white-papers-gaping-hole/2689382.aspx
Interesting to read about drier and warmer soils in spring increasing frost risk. A small water cycle feedback loop that could be prevented by more carbon in the soil and alley cropping. Maybe Abbott and Joyce havent read the memo about how we can expect sweeter, but less crunchy apples in a warming world. If I was PM, this would be a major issue! Save the apples!
The USA is fortunate enough to have had the dust bowl, and the resulting repair to study. The forces that control the economics can't hide those large swales and treebelts that changed the climate from dust to production... Not to say I think this country (USA) will beat the coming maelstorm by any means. Interesting article.
Just came back from a 9 hour drive through central NSW and South West Queensland prime Ag country and wow, are they doing it tough. The amount of plowed, exposed soil stretching as far as the eye could see with the occasional Eucalypt breaking up the basically tree-less landscape was disheartening. I saw two roadside properties that were using tree fodder out of thousands. The road was filled with road trains laden with hay keeping stock alive. Funny thing is, even the local Council and a lot of the residents are irrigating their turf in the middle of the day! Drought this, drought that, must water turf as that's important.
Yep, we drove through central Queensland from NT across to the coast last year and the condition of the land was shocking - powdered dust. I cannot imagine the catastrophe that has unfolded over the last 10 months.