Adaptation to climate change: the attitudes of stakeholders in the livestock industry |
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Authors: | Clare Hall Anita Wreford |
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Institution: | (1) Land Economy and Environment Research Group, SAC Research, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK |
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Abstract: | It is now widely accepted that climate change is happening and that future changes will impact on many aspects of society,
including agriculture. To maintain food supplies, the agricultural industry must address climate change adaptation. Key to
this is the attitudes of those within the industry likely to have responsibility for adapting. This study investigated stakeholder
attitudes towards adaptation to climate change in the livestock industry. Findings reveal four attitudinal groups. First,
there is a ‘farmer-focused group’ that has a positive attitude about the ability of livestock farmers to adapt to climate
change, but that also has the opinion that they will need additional support to adapt. Second, there is an ‘incentive for
enterprise, anti-GM (genetic modification) group’ with an attitudinal position stressing that the government should have a
role in implementing regulations and providing finance. This group has a negative attitude towards GM technology and does
not think it will be the answer to climate change. Third, there is an ‘information and education group’ whose attitude is
that the provision of information is crucial for ensuring that the livestock industry adapts. Fourth, there is a ‘pro-technology
group’ who have a positive attitude towards GM technology and who are therefore willing to embrace it as the route to adaptation.
Three of these four groups favour soft adaptations that maintain flexibility within the system, and only the fourth is of
the opinion that adaptive capacity is not an issue and that the industry is ready to implement hard adaptations. |
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