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Articles on Drought

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A recent study estimates that high temperatures and drought will lead to drastic losses for all major food crops, including maize and wheat. (Shutterstock)

Microbial aromas might save crops from drought

The microbes living in the soils around plant roots can help plants deal with a variety of stresses.
Smoke billows from the High Park wildfire west of Fort Collins, Colo., on June 11, 2012, a year of historic drought across much of the western United States. AP Photo/Ed Andrieski

Climate change is driving wildfires, and not just in California

Some observers have blamed recent wildfires on poor forest management, while others point to climate change. In fact, a climate scientist explains, reducing fire risks means tackling both issues.
A hot summer will mean wetlands dry out faster than ever, so how will pest mosquitoes respond? Cameron Webb (NSW Health Pathology)

Will the arrival of El Niño mean fewer mosquitoes this summer?

The forecast arrival of El Niño may mean the east coast of Australia will experience an exceptionally hot and dry summer, but does this mean there will be fewer mosquitoes buzzing about?
The development of drought insurance markets could be key to supporting farmers. Lukas Coch/AAP

Better data would help crack the drought insurance problem

While drought insurance schemes have produced mixed results to date, there remains hope for the future.
Morrison has made dealing with the impact of drought one of his. priorities since becoming prime minister. Lukas Coch/AAP

Government to set up new multi-billion Future Drought Fund

The fund is to provide support against future droughts, helping primary producers, non-government organisations and communities prepare for and respond to their impact.
Black water cascaded down Cameron Falls in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta after a 2018 wildfire denuded the landscape. (Kaleigh Watson)

Soot-filled rivers mark the need for a national wildfire strategy

Much of the country depends on water stored and filtered in forests. Fire-scarred watersheds highlight our need for a national wildfire strategy.
Policies such as subsidies for livestock feed risk weakening proper management incentives for farmers to plan for and adapt to drought. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Helping farmers in drought distress doesn’t help them be the best

We need to make sure well-meaning policy responses to drought don’t do more harm than good.
Many farmers are now facing a future in which it is much harder to make a living off the land. AAP Image/Dan Peled

Farmers’ climate denial begins to wane as reality bites

A decade ago, only a third of farmers accepted the science of climate change. But surveys show attitudes have shifted in recent years as the farming community begins to confront what the future holds.

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