Adapting to a more variable climate

Climate variability will increase with climate change.

You can reduce the negative impacts of increasing climate variability through adaptation.

To adapt to a more variable climate, consider whether you should:

• change your farming system (crop/livestock)
• change your approach to sowing
• change crop types
• cultivate more/less
• decrease your stocking rate

These decisions are complex because of:

• risk and uncertainty e.g. timing of the autumn break, increased storms
• unknowns e.g. interactions between increases in carbon dioxide and changes in temperature and rainfall
• economic considerations e.g. increased labour costs if you change towards livestock
• social considerations e.g. the prospect of living in a less attractive environment