Impacts of Climatic Variability in Australian Agriculture: A Review

Abstract

A framework is sketched for exploring the pervasive impacts of variations in climate on the uncertainties and instabilities of the Australian rural sector. Low rainfall is identified as the dominating climatic variable. Effects of climatic variation are investigated and measured at farm, regional, industrial, sectoral and national levels. Where possible, sensitivities to climate are measured by elasticities of production with respect to rainfall indexes. Some consequences of possible climatic change are discussed.