Is farming in Tasmania sustainable & how has climate change impacted agriculture?

Farming in Tasmania is like farming all over the world, there are some great examples that are really sustainable and there are some examples where more work needs to be done. Climate change has impacted agriculture already through the change in temperature. The climate has warmed, become drier and more variable. For some types of crops the seasons have shifted and come earlier, for example some crops might flower earlier and need to be harvested earlier. Even though the climate has warmed, the increased variability still means that more rain events, cold snaps and frost can cause problems. So climate change has certainly impacted agriculture. Other things like bushfire, which have increased because of climate change can also cause impacts on agriculture, directly affecting the ability to use agricultural land or other problems like smoke taint in the taste or grapes or milk.

Drought is certainly a big problem for agriculture and that is increased under climate change, so strategies for farmers to manage and minimise water use is increasingly important. Generally, the food produced in Tasmania is sustainable because we are smaller producers and focus on producing high quality. Eating locally is a great way to contribute to reducing emissions. Knowing where your food is from and how it was produced – preferably not using too much energy and too many inputs – is one of the best ways you can act on climate change. Supporting farmers to improve their practices (by voting for governments that put climate action high on the agenda) is another way to help, when you are old enough to vote. Governments can do a lot to raise awareness and fund sustainability in agriculture.