The difference between Climate and Weather

Weather describes the state of the atmosphere locally, minute by minute.

Climate describes the average weather over a period of at least three decades. This includes average monthly statistics about things such as:

  • temperature;
  • number of days over 35°C;
  • number of frosts;
  • rainfall;
  • number of rain-days;
  • number of days with more than 30 mm of rain;
  • humidity;
  • evaporation, etc.

Climate tells us what the weather is usually like.

Some basics about climate change for primary producers PDF 
  • The vast majority of evidence is that rapid increases in climate change are due to increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (~60%), methane and nitrous oxide from human activities. These last two GHG, in particular are linked to agricultural production.
  • Current concern is that worldwide emissions are accelerating taking the predicted scenarios into the high to extreme levels.
  • These human induced GHG emission activities include burning fossil fuels (coal, oil & gas), land use changes such as land clearing and agricultural practices worldwide.
  • Climate change is “locked in” due to the length of time that greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere. So even if we started to dramatically reduce emissions today climate change will still go on. The longer we wait to act the greater the changes could be.
  • Methane absorbs the sun’s heat 21 times that of carbon dioxide so has a warming potential of 21
  • Nitrous oxide has a global warming potential of 310 times that of carbon dioxide.

 

These are the long-term predictions of climate change.

  • Temperatures on average will rise. In south-west Victoria warming by 2030 is predicted to be up by 0.4 -1.3 C relative to 1990 averages.
  • There will be a greater rise in maximum temperatures than minimums in the south west Victoria, particularly in summer
  • Fewer cold days and nights, more hot days and nights.
  • Rainfall decreases during winter and spring with a likely increase in summer
  • Reduction in run-off expected
  • Variability in weather patterns will increase
  • Increase in extreme weather events such as heatwaves and storms.
  • Expected rise in temperature will be associated with increased evaporation and decreased soil moisture
  • Sea levels are projected to keep rising so salt water incursions further into river systems is possible and will lead to increased erosion.

So what does this mean for agriculture?

  • Agriculture contributes 16 percent of Australia’s GHG emissions. This includes 60 percent of net methane and 86 percent of nitrous oxide emissions. This doesn’t include emissions associated with agricultural transport, machinery and stationary energy uses.
  • At this stage there are no laws governing GHG emissions from primary production but the expectation is that inclusion will occur eventually.
  • Agriculture also plays a significant role in managing emissions. This is because of the way soil, crops and pasture management can determine whether they are a source or sink for GHG.
  • In the last 10 years, reduction in land clearing and increased forestry have been the largest mitigation factor for Australia, so the focus will be on the agricultural industry to continue on this path.
  • We need to start planning for adaption within all areas of primary production to minimise these predicted changes in climate over a longer period, including reducing GHG emissions and looking at carbon sequestration (carbon sinks).
  • Fortunately current best management practices (BMP) in many industries are improving the efficiency of production and providing opportunities for sequestration and reduction of GHG.
  • Research is continuing to better monitor GHG in relation to primary production and to understand how primary production could potentially adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Still unsure if you should be concerned about climate change?

  • As a primary producer you will be influenced by attitudes and policies on climate change which include developments in the areas such as an emissions trading scheme, renewable energy targets, the proposed Climate Change Bill in Victoria to target 60 per cent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and carbon labelling of food products.
  • So whether you are convinced or not, primary production will need to adapt to political and community expectations plus any climate change induced production issues.
  • Consumers and markets will increasingly seek evidence of “green” production systems and “greenhouse friendly” produce

So what can I do?

  • Taking action to better manage GHG emissions and work towards preparing for climate change in general should pay dividends in the long run.
  • Become better informed about climate change and read information provided from reliable sources. see our Resource section.
  • Be involved in or at least follow the debate on your industry standards for mitigation and offsets, verification methods and practice accreditation.
  • Find out what the BMP are for your industry. You may find that you are already doing many things detailed as best management practice and are therefore moving towards adapting to and mitigating the expected effects climate change.
  • Seek out industry specific analysis to identify what risks and opportunities are expected from climate change. Sources for this information can include research & development corporations at national level, regional industry bodies and local producers who are already taking action.
  • Revisit the SWCCF website www.swccf.com.au regularly to find out the  latest developments around climate change such as emissions trading, news and  events relevant to primary producers in Victoria's south west.