Climate Change

Climate change is bringing challenges to natural resource management across Australia and the South Coast region of Western Australia is no different. Understanding the risks of projected climate variability may help us to plan and adapt to a more variable climate. Extreme weather events and lack of rainfall should be part of regular risk management planning. This section provides an overview of some of the likely climate impacts the south coast region of Western Australia may face.

CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology have compiled a website that houses a range of climate related data (https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/). The South Coast NRM region forms part of their Southern and South West Flatlands cluster.

Information generated through this project has supported impact assessments and adaptation planning for our region.

Changes to South Coast

Higher temperature in all seasons with more frequent hot days

Decrease in rainfall (relative humidity, soil moisture and run off) in winter and spring

Increase in drought duration and frequency

Increase in solar radiation in winter and evaporation rate

Higher sea levels

Higher sea surface temperature and more ocean acidification

Source: Climate Change in Australia

Using projections for your climate adaption planning:

Projections for Southern and South-western Flatland

Adaptation

Adaptation is simply changing management practices, technologies, institutions and expectations to fit the prevailing or projected climate. It will not only offset negative impacts of climate change but will allow producers to take advantage of opportunities afforded by our changing climate.

Climate Change Adaptation

Food Innovation (2018-2019) South Coast NRM

This project, funded by Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, aimed to support farmers and food producers to increase their resilience.

The project had a strong focus on preparing for climate variability by maximising competitive advantage of their products for their ongoing economic sustainability. South Coast NRM partnered with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) “Food Industry Innovation Project”.

Ten case studies of management actions to reduce the risk of climate variability were produced and are linked below.