Experts warn that funding and job cuts at Australia's climate change research body, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), could undermine the country's goal of dominating the European premium food market by placing farmers at a disadvantage to US and Asian competitors. Australia's extreme weather means farmers rely heavily on climate change forecasts from the CSIRO to mitigate the impact of bushfires, cyclones and droughts. Last week, the CSIRO announced 350 job cuts and a shift away from climate change monitoring. The job losses specifically target the Ocean and Atmosphere and Land and Water divisions, which may lose more than half their staff. The Commonwealth Fisheries Association said CSIRO's long-term predictions on ocean warming were vital to the industry.
Experts warn that funding and job cuts at Australia's climate change research body, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), could undermine the country's goal of dominating the Asian premium food market by placing farmers at a disadvantage to US and European competitors. Australia's extreme weather means farmers rely heavily on climate change forecasts from the CSIRO to mitigate the impact of bushfires, cyclones and droughts. Last week, the CSIRO announced 350 job cuts and a shift away from climate change monitoring. The job losses specifically target the Ocean and Atmosphere and Land and Water divisions, which may lose more than half their staff. The Commonwealth Fisheries Association said CSIRO's long-term predictions on ocean warming were vital to the industry.