Friday, 05 April 2019 09:36

Focus on farming at climate change conference

Written by 
A Victoria University scientist says that events like the Tasman fires and Cyclone Gita are possible indications of things to come. A Victoria University scientist says that events like the Tasman fires and Cyclone Gita are possible indications of things to come.

The Tasman fires of 2019 and 2018’s Cyclone Gita are a taste of what could be coming as our climate changes, claims a Victoria University scientist.

Judy Lawrence, senior research fellow at the Climate Change Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, will give this message to The New Zealand Agricultural Climate Change Conference 2019 to be held in Palmerston North on April 8-9.

Promoted as NZ’s most important agricultural conference on climate change for two years, the event will bring together scientists, government policy advisors, farmers and industry leaders to discuss the theme: ‘Meeting the challenges of climate change with respect to farming’.

Lawrence was the co-chair of the Climate Change Adaptation Technical Working group that reported to the Government in December 2017 and May 2018 on a stocktake of adaptation action and recommendations on adapting to climate change.

She says that events like the Tasman fires and Cyclone Gita are possible indications of things to come.

“Before that in 2017 the south of NZ experienced very heavy rainfall that stretched our resources. Coastal properties in low-lying roads have been flooded in Hawkes Bay, Wellington and West Coast,” she says.

“In Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, estuary margins are increasingly being flooded. These events will become more intense and, as the seas keep rising, flooding will be permanent in some areas and occur also on sunny days.”

Lawrence says such events underline the need to get organised to deal with the changing climate risk profile that confronts NZ.

On day two of the conference she will outline several possible actions to adapt to the changes.

The event organisers are NZ Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) with the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium (PGgRc). Presentations will be given by NZ science, industry and policy leaders.

The programme will draw on published scientific work and research by the NZAGRC-PGgRc and by MPI’s Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Research Programme.

 

More like this

Don't hold back!

OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding nothing back when ‘climate scientists’ had a crack at Kiwi farmers recently:

Emissions versus warming

OPINION: Soon New Zealand farmers will be asked to know their greenhouse gas (GHG) number. There are a vast number of GHG calculators available, all giving a different answer and none of them allowing for your pasture to be viewed as a CO2 ‘sequesterer’.

Changing Climate: A taste of the future

A high-resolution vineyard view of ecoclimatic indicators, and how they impact wine quality, can turn “climate insights into strategy”, says climate risk specialist Pete Taylor. “Whether you’re a grower, winemaker, or industry leader, understanding the future is key to staying ahead.”

Editorial: Sense at last

OPINION: For the first time in many years, a commonsense approach is emerging to balance environmental issues with the need for the nation's primary producers to be able to operate effectively.

Featured

Farmstrong marks 10 years of rural support

Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Don't hold back!

OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…

Sorry, not sorry

OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter