Australia's agricultural sector is not only a cornerstone of our economy, but also critical for food security - domestically and internationally. As I cycled through the productive landscapes of the Riverina and the Western slopes of New South Wales, I saw firsthand the fields and livestock that feed our nation and contribute billions of dollars in exports. But I was a lso led to think of the looming threat to all of this: climate change. And almost all of the farmers I’ve spoken to are worried too.
An Important Pillar of Australia's Economy
Agriculture contributes around $70 billion annually to Australia’s economy, with exports making up a substantial portion of this. From wheat, barley and canola, to beef, lamb and wool, Australian farms supply us and the world with high-quality produce. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for approximately 11% of our nation’s total exports. The sector not only generates income, but also provides employment for hundreds of thousands of Australians, particularly in regional and rural areas like the ones I’ve been cycling through.
Food Security in a Warming World
Domestically, agriculture is crucial for food security. Australia is fortunate to produce more than enough food to meet our needs, but as the climate crisis deepens, this will change. Unless emissions come down fast, reliable production on our farms is something we can no longer take for granted.
The Riverina, known as Australia’s "food bowl," is a prime example of how our climate and agriculture are interlinked. The region produces massive quantities of wheat, rice, canola and fruit. And it’s a major hub for cattle and sheep farming. But increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events - such as droughts and floods - threaten the very foundation of this productivity.
Climate Change: A Real Threat
Agriculture is highly sensitive to climate variability. Prolonged droughts, which have become more common in Australia, are already decimating crops and livestock. In the Riverina, farmers are seeing declining water availability due to reduced rainfall and hotter temperatures. The Murray-Darling Basin, a lifeline for many farms, has been especially hard hit by water shortages, creating stress for farmers and limiting crop yields.
Heatwaves, which are increasing in frequency and intensity, pose another huge threat. Higher temperatures reduce the productivity of crops and make livestock farming more challenging. For example, heat stress in cattle can decrease milk production and fertility rates, while crops like wheat suffer from reduced grain output and quality when exposed to high temperatures during critical growing periods. In the worst case scenarios, large parts of our agricultural land will no longer be able to grow crops or livestock when they become too hot. It would be like trying to farm in Saudi Arabia! When temperatures exceed a certain level, plants and animals can no longer metabolise. They die.
Future Uncertainty
What concerns me most as I cycle through Australia’s food bowl is that the threat of climate change are not a future issue - it’s already here. Farmers are resilient and have adapted to Australia’s historically tough conditions, but the scale of the climate crisis is unlike anything they’ve faced before.
We need urgent climate action to protect Australia’s agricultural sector. Our economy, food security, and regional jobs all depend on it. From what I’ve observed and learned during my #eBike4Australia journey, it’s clear that climate change is not just a so-called ‘woke’ environmental issue - it’s a serious economic one, and rural Australia will bear the brunt if we don’t act swiftly.
The Australian government must get emissions down fast and work with farmers to promote renewable energy, improve water management, and transition to climate-resilient farming techniques. Without this, our ability to feed ourselves and the world will falter, and the landscapes I’ve cycled through could look very different in the near future.
Climate action is not just about protecting the environment - it’s about protecting a cornerstone of our economy and ensuring our food security. As I continue my ride, I’ll keep sharing the stories of livelihoods at risk and advocating for stronger climate policies.
We need to safeguard Australia’s agriculture before it’s too late.
Canola fields outside Cootamundra in the NSW south-western slopes.
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