Adapting to Climate Change

The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship is a national research program addressing one of Australia’s most pressing natural resource issues – sustainable management of our water resources.

CSIRO bushfire research is improving the understanding of fire, and improving technologies and strategies to save lives and limit damage.

Australian agriculture needs to adapt now to climate change according to a CSIRO book launched today entitled: Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: Preparing Australian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for the Future.

A major conference to be held in Melbourne in 2011 will focus the world’s attention on the broad issues of a sustainable planet.

This Water for a Healthy Country Flagship project is developing the scientific knowledge to underpin an integrated and sustainable development  framework for northern Australia's water resources.

The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship is investigating how a changing climate and land use is impacting on Australia's future water security and developing scientific tools and knowledge to help water managers plan accordingly.

CSIRO's research enables improved assessment of the risks posed by contaminants in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem.

CSIRO research on catchment and aquatic systems focuses on sustaining and improving the health of our aquatic systems, by understanding how these systems are affected by land use change and climate change.

The first-ever Australian benchmark of climate change impacts on marine ecosystems and options for adaptation is the work of more than 70 marine scientists. (4:23)

On 13 October, Professor Lawrence Mysak presented the 2009 Priestley Lecture at CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research in Aspendale, Victoria. Watch his presentation in the video (62:48) or download the PowerPoint slides (49 pages).

Dr Chris Stokes is a systems ecologist applying research findings in multi-disciplinary teams to better inform decisions about complex long-term natural resource management issues.

Dr David Dewhurst manages CSIRO’s capability in petroleum geoscience and is responsible for developing new science directions to support the petroleum industry. He has expertise in geomechanics, shale behaviour and rock properties.

Some changes are quite certain. We know temperatures are rising on average; we know sea level is rising almost everywhere. For these sorts of changes, new incremental adaptations will often follow on from current strategies. (6 pages)

This 12-page publication contains information to assist decisions about climate change adaptation, particularly around the risks of inundation in urban areas.

The Northern Australia Land and Water Science Review 2009 examines a range of options for use of land and water in northern Australia and the likely consequences of those uses, for communities, businesses and the environment.

Climate change is already underway, and will bring many changes to our weather, lifestyles and economy. Here are some ideas behind climate adaptation and what it may mean for you.