Viticulture in Australia
"Focusing on the viticulture industry in Australia, discuss the possible impacts of climate change on that sector or a portion of a sector, particularly addressing any relevant adaptation and mitigation measures. Are there any lessons that can be learned from comparisons between your chosen country and others experiencing similar issues?”
The widely acknowledged increasing of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is set to drastically change the world’s climate in the coming years. The impacts will be felt differently in different areas, but globally we should prepare for a 20% increase in months of drought, a 25% rise in very high and extreme fire danger days, increased storm surges and severe weather events, and a 1°C temperature rise by 2030 (Australian Government, 2011). These climatic changes are expected to leave a large impression on Australia’s viticulture industry by altering grape growing conditions. Although there will be significant efficiency, economic and social challenges to overcome, Australia’s viticulture industry should be able to survive with sufficient adaptation. Grapes are a very sensitive crop, and a slight change in growing conditions can alter growing cycles, yield and quality significantly (Anderson, Findlay, Fuentes, & Tyerman, 2008). This sensitivity is a serious concern for growers, as wine consumers are highly responsive to slight differences in scent, colour and taste. Wineries’ bottom lines will be affected through decreased yield and revenue, and increased costs of inputs pushing up production costs. Although there is little the viticulture industry can do on its own to mitigate climate change, social expectation provides an incentive to reduce emissions. Instead of focusing on alleviating the problem, it is more advantageous for wine growers to invest in adaptive measures to maintain yield and quality within the altered climate. Some countries, including New Zealand and Chile have already adjusted production to cope with its
The widely acknowledged increasing of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is set to drastically change the world’s climate in the coming years. The impacts will be felt differently in different areas, but globally we should prepare for a 20% increase in months of drought, a 25% rise in very high and extreme fire danger days, increased storm surges and severe weather events, and a 1°C temperature rise by 2030 (Australian Government, 2011). These climatic changes are expected to leave a large impression on Australia’s viticulture industry by altering grape growing conditions. Although there will be significant efficiency, economic and social challenges to overcome, Australia’s viticulture industry should be able to survive with sufficient adaptation. Grapes are a very sensitive crop, and a slight change in growing conditions can alter growing cycles, yield and quality significantly (Anderson, Findlay, Fuentes, & Tyerman, 2008). This sensitivity is a serious concern for growers, as wine consumers are highly responsive to slight differences in scent, colour and taste. Wineries’ bottom lines will be affected through decreased yield and revenue, and increased costs of inputs pushing up production costs. Although there is little the viticulture industry can do on its own to mitigate climate change, social expectation provides an incentive to reduce emissions. Instead of focusing on alleviating the problem, it is more advantageous for wine growers to invest in adaptive measures to maintain yield and quality within the altered climate. Some countries, including New Zealand and Chile have already adjusted production to cope with its
Cited: Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2012, May 10). 6202.0 - Labour Force, Australia, Apr 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Australian Bureau of Statistics: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6202.0 Australian Government Australian Government. (2011, October 26). Impacts of Climate Change. Retrieved May 22, 2012, from Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/climate-change/impacts.aspx Barlow, E CSIRO Australia. (2012, January 27). Grapes and wine overview. Retrieved May 25, 2012, from CSIRO: http://csiro.au/Outcomes/Food-and-Agriculture/Grapes-and-wine-overview.aspx CSIRO Australia CSIRO Australia. (2012, March 15). Vineyard Records Link Early Grape Ripening to Climate Change. Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120315095803.htm Hayman, P., Leske, P., & Nidumolu, U Iverson, J. T. (2011, April 13). The Fight to Save Wine from Extreme Weather. Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Time Science: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2064971,00.html New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries Oag, D. (2005). Grape Production in Australia. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations via Department of Primary Industries Queensland: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x6897e/x6897e04.htm#TopOfPage Shaw, P South Australian Wine Industry Association Incorporated. (2011). Annual Report 2010-2011. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from Wine SA: http://www.winesa.asn.au/sector-agreement/ Stern, N