Australian minister slammed for dismissing farmers’ climate change concerns
Littleproud has been criticised for his stance on climate change before
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Your support makes all the difference.A politician has been criticised after saying Australian farmers “don’t take much notice” of climate change – despite a year of severe drought, wildfires, and flooding.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud was asked about how farmers react to discussion about climate change making weather events more extreme, he replied “Yeah, look, I don’t think they take much notice. They’re more worried about survival.”
Littleproud’s comment was slammed by environmentalists and workers in the agricultural industry on Twitter.
One said: “Muppet. Coming from a farming family, I can attest that a key part of farming is careful observation and long-term tracking of environmental conditions and seasonal extremes.”
Another added: “Surprised by his comments. I am constantly amazed at how innovative and forward-thinking our agricultural sector is.”
“Smarter water use, crop development to improve disease and insect resistance, rolling out green power. He doesn’t know his portfolio.”
The Independent has attempted to contact Littleproud for a comment.
Climate change is already affecting Australian farmers. Compared with historical averages, agricultural profits have fallen 23% over the 20 years to 2020 and this trend will continue as temperatures rise, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).
The organisation also predicts a likely scenario that overall farm profit will fall by 13% by 2050.
Littleproud has faced criticism over his stance on climate change before. In 2019 he was slammed for saying he “didn’t know” if climate change is man-made.
Soon after he said he “100 per cent” believed the science on the human contribution to climate change.
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