Creating a climate for food security: identifying strategic priorities

Balancing human and environmental needs is urgent where food security and sustainability are under pressure from population increases and changing climates. Requirements of food security, social justice and environmental justice exacerbate the impact of agriculture on the supporting ecological environment. Viability of the Australian rural economy is intrinsically linked to food production and food security requiring systematic evaluation of climate change adaptation strategies for agricultural productivity. Research focus on the dairy and horticulture sectors in the SW-WA and SEQ using triple-bottom-line sustainability provided a comprehensive means of addressing social, economic and ecological requirements in food-systems and regional economies. Expert knowledge was engaged to challenge existing practice applying conceptual and empirical approaches in Structural Equation, Value-Chain, Supply-Chain modelling and Analytical Hierarchy modelling. This iterative action-research process provided immediate generation and transfer of expert knowledge across the involved sectors. The scenarios and adaptive strategies provide evidence-based pathways to strengthen food-systems; account for climate change mitigation and adaptation; and weather-proof regional economies in the face of climate change. The, modelling results showed the interacting dynamics between social, economic and ecological dimensions. A priority assessment of climate change intervention strategies and the achievement of TBL Adaptive Capacity through individual components identifi ed strategic interventions to promote food security and maintain resilience in local food systems, agricultural production communities and markets, global industrial systems, and developing world food systems. Climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions refl ect a rich conceptualisation drawing from the Australian context, but also acknowledging the moral context of global association