The global climate has been changing and Western Australia (WA) is experiencing the impact now.
More changes are inevitable even if greenhouse gas emissions are capped quickly.
Likely effects in WA include:
• lower average winter rainfall;
• less run-off to dams;
• decreased aquifer recharge;
• increased variability between and within seasons;
• increased risk of prolonged drought;
• higher average temperatures;
• rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations; and
• more extreme events such as hot days, storms and wild fires.
Western Australia's $12 billion agri-food sector and related industries are vulnerable to these
changes, which could cause significant production losses and damage agricultural ecosystems.
A Western Australian initiative
To address the challenge presented by climate change in WA, the Agriculture Research
Western Australia (ARWA) Alliance - a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, The University of Western Australia, Curtin University of Technology,Murd
The Program will bring together the capability of all the partners to undertake priority climate
change impact and adaptation research projects that will deliver outcomes beyond the reach of any individual research institute.
Linked to national and international research programs, including CSIRO's Climate Adaptation
Flagship, the Climate Adaptation Program will deliver the information, knowledge, tools and
innovations to help decision makers manage the risks and capture the opportunities a changing climate will present to rural industries and communities in Western Australia.
NEFF will be working with CSIRO and associated partners to bring the CAP trials to the NEAR region. We would appreciate your comments and feedback into which projects, if any, you feel are relevant to the region and would like to see developed.