Climate, vulnerability and farming: A preliminary study among Australian food growers

The present study examines climate change, vulnerability to climate, and other environmental challenges from the perspective of 80 horticulture operators from different Australian states. Vulnerability in the form of storms and droughts are respondents’ main environmental concerns; in some cases, the impact of wildlife displacement is affecting their production outputs. In addition, substantial negative impacts of climate change on food production, particularly the effects of global warming, are of concern to respondents, which they claim is both limiting the volume and quality of grown crops. Many respondents seek to adapt farming practices to address current climatic and environmental challenges, especially through planting and irrigation practices. However, adaptability, as well as proactive and reactive measures comes at a price that may not necessarily be recuperated. With limited resources and support, growers worry that they may become even more vulnerable to future and potentially more severe climatic challenges and subsequent impacts