Climate Change:Agric.Impacts&Adaptation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Eligibility for honours or graduate degree

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Global food production is facing many challenges to meet current and future demand. Impacts of climate change on agriculture will add stress to our ability to produce enough food for a growing population with fewer resources. Adapting agriculture to climate change to meet these needs is a critical challenge for current and future generations.

This subject will examine the potential impacts of climate change on agricultural production and explore adaptation options within various sectors of agriculture and food production. This exploration of adaptation options will include consideration of barriers that may hinder effective adaptation..

On completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

• Understand the principles of adaptation (incremental through to transformational) and an ability to articulate what this looks like in different regions/industries
• Briefly discuss the global context for food supply
• Understand the impacts of climate change on different regions/industries
• Discuss adaptation to climate in context with other key drivers affecting industry productivity and terms of trade (markets, genetics, logistics, input and labour costs, etc)

• One 1000 word assignment due approximately one week after teaching period ends worth 15%
• One group task assignment (500 words per student) due approximately four weeks after the teaching period ends worth 20%
• One 3500 word assignment 65% due approximately four weeks after teaching period ends worth 65%

Stokes, C., Howden, M., (2010) Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change. CSIRO Publishing, Australia 2010

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources
• Awareness of and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
• Capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
• Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in applied situations
• Highly developed computer - based skills to allow for effective on-line learning and communication
• Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
• Ability to participate effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects