Researchers And Industry Leaders From The Primary And Food Sectors And Farmers Have Gathered In Christchurch To Discuss Climate Change And Saying It Is Here Now

Researchers and industry leaders from the primary and food sectors and farmers have gathered in Christchurch to discuss climate change and saying it is here now. More than 100 people from across the nation gathered in the Christchurch Town Hall for the Deep South Challenge’s Adapting Aotearoa conference on the impacts Climate change has had on agribusiness, and what needs to be done now to adapt to the changing environment. The conference is one of the 11 10-year-long National Science Challenges, focusing on researching ways for New Zealanders to adapt, manage risk and thrive in the changing climate. Phil Wiles, director of the Deep South Challenge, says everyone has known the climate is changing, but it is time to talk about how to adapt to these changes. He says front of mind is what’s happened in the last 12 months up in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne with Cyclone Gabrielle, and then again in Nelson [and] Westport. The National Science Challenges will end in June 2024.