Attitudes to climate change in Southern NSW

Jan Edwards

District Agronomist, Cowra

2 funded projects

Developing climate change adaptation options for NSW mixed farming systems

Southern livestock adaptation 2030

Case study farms

Livestock sites

Cropping & livestock sites

Engagement in research

Climate change research– complex– high degree of

uncertainty• GCMs• downscaling• biophysical models

Farmer engagement and participation are vital– increase adoption– build capacity

Participation

Iterative process with farmers– designing farming

systems and enterprises– interpreting the results– discussing the risks and

practicalities– suggesting adaptations

Preparing not predicting

Our role is to – prepare farmers to deal

with climate change and climate variability

– NOT predict the future

Attitudes to climate change

Preliminary analysis from 160 survey respondents

Climate change will mean …

An increased incidence of droughts

– 12% disagree– 42% not sure– 45% agree

Strongly disagreeDisagreeNot sureAgreeStrongly agree

Climate change will mean …

Less rainfall especially in autumn and spring

– 13% disagree– 50% not sure– 37% agree

Strongly disagreeDisagreeNot sureAgreeStrongly agree

Climate change will mean …

Warmer temperatures, fewer frosts and more ‘hot’ days

– 19% disagree– 36% not sure– 38% agree

Strongly disagreeDisagreeNot sureAgreeStrongly agree

Do you believe in climate change?

26% no– likely to have increased

recently 27% not sure 48% yes

No Not sure Yes

Do you believe in climate change?

In the 31–45 age group

– 33% no– 29% not sure– 38% yes

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

18-30 31-45 46-60 60+

Age group

Yes Not sure No

Attitude to the future

15% of the farmers – believe they won’t be

farming

The 60+ age group – 36% of the sample

group

Attitude to the futureRespondents

(%)

Committed to farming and intend to stay

64

Committed to farming but may take up other employment options

21

Am about to retire 12

Want to take up other employment and leave farming

2

Will be forced to leave the farm

1

To reduce the impact …

An emissions trading scheme is essential

– 48% disagree

Strongly disagreeDisagreeNot sureAgreeStrongly agree

What will help?

Changing to more drought tolerant species or varieties

UselessNot importantNot sureImportantVery important

What will help?

Changing the farm enterprise mix to include more trading livestock

UselessNot importantNot sureImportantVery important

What will help?

Increasing the use of no-till or direct drill

UselessNot importantNot sureImportantVery important

What will help?

Increasing on-farm water and fodder conservation

UselessNot importantNot sureImportantVery important

What will help?

Using drought-lots UselessNot importantNot sureImportantVery important

What will help?

Sourcing off-farm income UselessNot importantNot sureImportantVery important

What will help?

Gaining economies of scale UselessNot importantNot sureImportantVery important

The projects are funded by

Contacts

Kate Lorimer-Ward – Leader Agriculture & Climate Change

• kate.lorimer-ward@industry.nsw.gov.au

Phil Graham– Technical Specialist Grazing System

• phillip.graham@industry.nsw.gov.au

Phil Bowden – District Agronomist Cootamundra

• phillip.bowden@industry.nsw.gov.au

Jan Edwards – District Agronomist Cowra

• jan.edwards@industry.nsw.gov.au

Jason Crean – Principle Economist (CC Policy)

• jason.crean@industry.nsw.gov.au

John Smith – District Agronomist Deniliquin

• john.smith@industry.nsw.gov.au