CLIMATE ACTION

 

Whether animals used for clothing or consumption, raising livestock in a farm during times of drought is an added challenge for the farmer and the animal. Drought and climate change cause

• heat stress in sheep

• lowers reproduction

• growth rates

• farmer's income due to low meant and wool production 

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The issue of climate change within the sheep and wool industry is so prevalent that it has become a national issue covered on tv news now. 

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Recently covered by 7 News, as a new record high in the sheep meat industry due to droughts in far western New South Wales, where the sheep meat industry is at large, as well as the increasing demand overseas. This didn't just jut affect our farmers within Australia also, but also has an impact on our economy as well, where stock levels dropped

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However, not only is climate change affecting the sheep and wool industry, it is vice-versa. The sheep meat and wool industry are also impacting climate change itself. 

Sheep, cattle, goats and deer produce large quantities of gas through belching and flatulence, as their multiple stomachs digest grass.

Ruminants are the principal source of livestock methane emissions because they produce the most methane per unit of feed consumed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Well, if you haven't realised by now, climate change is affecting our farms and farmers, big time. 

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So what are farmers doing in order to adapt and reduce their greenhouse emissions?

 

It is important for farmers to minimise greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices. Livestock farmers are adapting their current processes used to farm sheep in order to reduce these emissions by 

• growing better pastures

• grain-based feed

• reduction in methane emissions from manure 

• improving genetics 

• management of animals

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These strategies that are currently being implemented are based on sustainable intensification, or in other words, producing a higher quantity and quality of meat with fewer resources, therefore reducing methane and carbon expulsion. WOoHoo! 

But it's not over yet.

 

Droughts and severe weather patterns are exacerbated by climate change. Australia's natural landscape is dry and therefore prone to drought, and the correlation between rising temperatures and the more frequent occurrences of droughts is undeniable.

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By looking to the past and the problems that have been resolved, it allows effective action to be retaken. Successful issues that were resolved such as the Montreal protocol were backed up by money, years of work and the unification of global powers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holding fundraisers and accepting donations can contribute to give way to more funding to research ways, we as a community  can be ecologically sustainable to save our environment for the future and by extension, helping to lessen the impacts of drought on farmers, and it was successful!  

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Staying a farmer requires the delicate balance between steady production, high quality and economic sustainability. By utilising different media platforms like:

• articles

•  interviews

• social media movements

can all help to gain traction and seek help on the issues faced by farmers.

 

 

One such platform is the ‘Farmers Movement’, on the We Feed The World website which featured the story about Masumoto inherited farm, which grew some of the most delicious organic peaches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the commercialisation of agriculture was looming over him, he was faced with the reality of needing to replant more commercial varieties of peaches. He wrote a letter of woe, which  was published and immediately grasped the support of online communities. He was able to keep his peaches and they are now highly in demand, at farmer’s markets and sustainable restaurants. The power of the internet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Other small changes that anyone can make to save our future:

• Shorter showers

• Take public transport - or even better, ride a bike or walk

• Change to energy efficient light bulbs

• Unplug electronics when they’re not in use

• Air-dry laundry instead of using a dryer

• Don’t waste food

• Buy local produce - it’s better for the environment, and you’ll be supporting  Australian farmers

• Take part in clean-ups

 

Farmers and communities can and should be part of the discussion when the argument of the impact of agriculture is raised. With the support of these technologies behind them, farmers can ensure a sustainable industry that saves our future from the impacts of climate change.