How climate change is making conditions tougher for Australian farms

Highlights

The world is experiencing alarming long-run effects due to the severe changes in climatic conditions in last few years.
Climate change is hurting Australian farmers, who have observed a significant decline in their profits.
Agriculture sector is making significant adaptation responses to withstand hotter and drier climatic conditions.

The radical change in climatic conditions in recent years has resulted in long-run adverse effects on the human population in countless ways.

From higher temperatures, reduced rainfall levels, severe droughts to greater number of forest fire incidents, the world is experiencing alarming trends due to the severe damage we have caused to the environment.

Image source: © 72soul | Megapixl.com

In this article, we will articulate how climate change is affecting the farm business in Australia and how farmers are gradually adapting to the recent shifts by adopting ways that can sustain the hotter and drier conditions.

Also read: How young climate change activists are fighting for good climate

Climate change causing huge cutbacks in the profitability of Australian farms

The annual average profitability of Australian farms has reduced by 23% or around AU$29,200 per farm from 2001 to 2020, compared to the period from 1950 to 2000, as per a report by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

However, the impact of climate change on farming varies from region to region within Australia as well. While the changes in seasonal conditions have lesser impact on northern Australia and coastal higher rainfall zones, the most affected areas include south-western and south-eastern Australia.

In the last two decades ended 2020, the risk of very low farm returns essentially doubled due to climate variability, relative to the period from 1950 to 2000. The frequency surged to over 1 in 5 from a 1 in 10.

Image source: © Andreyyalansky19 | Megapixl.com

Also Read: Is UN’s latest climate change tale a code red for humanity?

Potential impacts of future climate change

According to the report, average declines of 2.7-20.6% are projected in winter season rainfall for Australian farmers for 2050, compared with an observed decline of 16.2% since 2001. Larger reductions of 6.1% to 30.1% are projected on average. The winter season is observed from April to October.

The wide range of outcomes of climate change on the profits of Australian broadacre farmers are likely to put more pressure on farmers to adapt to climate change.

Significant adaptation responses to climate changes by agriculture sector

The crippling state of the environment has compelled its dwellers to adapt to the changes by carrying off apt measures. Farmers have started executing practices that can haul up the farm productivity even in the thick of far-reaching climate shifts.

Good Read: How climate crisis can affect your personal finance

With the application of advance technologies and better management practices, the agriculture sector is aiming productivity growth and profit-making delivery amid drier and hotter conditions in coming years.

Bottom Line

The present hour calls for more efficacious measures to mitigate changes in climate and toning down its impact on farmlands in Australia and areas beyond.

A timely action with productive solutions can break the chain of adverse reactions of climate change and help the agriculture sector make profitable growth.

Also read: Scientists update forecasts on the need of a better climate modeling

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Team Kalkine Media comprises of experts who understand various markets nuances and are enthusiastic and passionate to provide best possible offerings in the form of insights and stories. The team has rich experience of working across different market...