Climate variability is increasing and leading to crop failures, while growing demand on agriculture is adding pressure for further expansion. Food security depends on a stable environment, while environmental security is threatened by food insecurity.

This event brings together experts to discuss solutions for to these issues and how they can be applied in Australia as a model for other regions.

Professor David Lobell from the Center on Food Security and the Environment at Stanford University will present the keynote address. His research focuses on identifying opportunities to raise crop yields in major agricultural regions, with a particular emphasis on adaptation to climate change.

Dr Mark Howden from CSIRO, is an expert in the area of climate change and agriculture, working with rural industries to adapt to Australia’s changing climate.

Professor Murray Badger’s major research interests are in the genetics, evolution, biochemistry and physiology of efficient mechanisms for photosynthetic CO2 fixation in plants, algae and cyanobacteria.

Sarah Bridge, Director of Climate Policy in the Drought Policy and Reform Branch of Agricultural Adaptation and Forestry Division, Department of Agriculture will speak on reducing emissions, improving productivity.

Professor Robert Costanza is a Chair in Public Policy at Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australia National University. His work is on the spatial modelling and economic valuation of ecosystem services.

This public forum is presented by the Australian National Institute of Public Policy at Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific and Research School of Biology, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment.