Oram and Salinger in the South

Tomorrow it's the turn of Rod Oram and Jim salinger to grace our fair city and share their combined learning with Southlanders wanting to get the real oil of climate change and the effects it will have on Southland. Here's notice of their meeting from the Environment Southland website. I'll be at the meeting, so if you are there also and have an interesting point of view that you think might stir me up, please say hello and let rip :-)

How will climate change affect the rural sector?

 

 

Environment Southland is hosting the free public seminar in Invercargill on October 27 when renowned climate scientist Dr Jim Salinger together with business commentator Rod Oram will discuss the prospects of maintaining farm profitability and profits in the face climate change.
Dr Salinger, who was the lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said the seminar will inform the public on the latest information about climate trends and how they could affect the agriculture sector in the future.
Predicted changes to New Zealand’s climate, including in Southland, will have both benefits and disadvantages for the sector, he said.
It could be a very different place even within even the next decade as climactic variation has an increasing influence.
Climate volatility was likely to increase but there could also be slightly warmer temperatures and wetter weather because of more easterly winds, he said.
In that context the growing season could lengthen for pastoral agriculture in areas at higher elevation but there would also be more exposure to flood events, Dr Salinger said.
As well as a more in depth analysis of the climate by Dr Salinger, Mr Oram will venture into the economic implications of climate change targets, how government policy might address them and how rural communities could be affected.
That includes what could happen to agricultural trade and steps could be taken by farmers to protect economic viability while reducing emission levels.
The pair are usually accompanied by Lincoln University Professor Caroline Saunders however she will not attend the Invercargill seminar.
Dr Salinger said Mr Oram would ably present her material during the presentation on carbon foot-printing and the agricultural export sector in her absence.
He said during the sessions held across New Zealand there had been a good response from people wanting to be informed about the big issues that could affect them.
“Over the last 50 years agriculture has made adjustments to keep up with change and it will have to again.”
The seminar will be held at the Invercargill Workingmen’s Club on Thursday 27 October at 1.30pm.