The Australian vegetable industry is in a strong position to deal effectively with climate change. The industry has excellent climate change credentials, is a low emitter of greenhouse gasses on a productivity basis, and has one of the lowest carbon and water footprints of any food producer. Vegetable growers also have greater capacity to adapt to change than most other rural industries. The threats, however, are serious, and the industry should not be complacent. The viability of vegetable production can be affected either by the physical impacts of a changing climate, or by government policies aimed at addressing climate issues. This review has focused on identifying actions growers and the industry can take in the short and longer term to safeguard the Australian vegetable industry against climate related threats. Industry and farm managers will need to distinguish between ‘old climate expectations’ and ‘new climate realities’ in determining how best to adapt vegetable farming to our more variable climate and where possible, further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge for the industry is to develop a clear strategy for how best to adapt to anticipated climatic and atmospheric changes, in ways that minimise adverse financial and environmental impacts and take best advantage of any positive changes. This review will build on previous climate change studies conducted for the horticulture industry. Click here for the full report
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Understanding and managing the impacts of climate change on the Australian vegetable industry
The Australian vegetable industry has recognised that issues around climate variability and climate change may affect growers and the broader industry. The industry is in a very strong position to deal effectively with climate change and is a low emitter of greenhouse gases, and has one of the lowest carbon and water footprints of any food producer. Vegetable growers [...]
Read MoreOptions for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions for the Australian vegetable industry
This report discusses the future opportunities for the Australian vegetable industry to reduce its carbon footprint. It has been written as part of a series of six discussion papers for a workshop that will set future directions for R, D & E on greenhouse gas emissions from the vegetable industry. Currently there are efforts to [...]
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