Envisioning Future Landscapes Inititiative

Local Governments Adapting to Climate Change and Variability

What should we do about low lying coastal developments with the sea rising about 3mm per year?

With farmers walking off the land and regional towns shrinking, how do we ensure that people remain happy and healthy and keep infrastructure in good condition?

These are the kinds of questions currently being tackled by a consortium of organisations on a project led by The University of Adelaide. Wayne Meyer and Bart Kellett from the Environment Institute, and John Spoehr and Kate Barnett from the Australian Institute of Social Research, have been working to investigate and communicate future climate change scenarios, climate impacts and opportunities for adaptation.

Results are supporting eleven local governments from the SA Murray Darling Basin region to develop integrated water management plans, water conservation plans, development policies, a tourism strategy and a council strategic plan.