Adapting to climate change

» While there is consensus in the global scientific community that some degree of climate change is inevitable, there remain large uncertainties surrounding the likely effects of climate change on the agriculture sector, especially at the regional level. Some models predict an increase in agricultural productivity in Australia, whereas other modelling suggests a substantial fall in productivity in many regions. » Analysis in this paper indicates that some regions in Australia that are highly dependent on agriculture could experience considerable economic losses as a result of climate change. However, adaptation to the impacts of climate change, including improved farming technologies and practices, can reduce the size of these losses. » Farmers will require information to make cost effective adaptation decisions. Government is likely to have a role in providing ongoing research and development to support adaptation, improving information dissemination to farmers, and ensuring appropriate policy settings that encourage adaptation.