Dear Politicians, Get Your Heads Out Of The Coal Pit And Into The Real World

The Guardian - Peter Holding*

As farmers we’re dealing with increasingly extreme weather as a result of global warming. We need meaningful action now

‘This is not a “hard done by farmer” narrative. We’re tough and we manage our resources carefully, making decisions based upon the best available evidence’ Photograph: Mike Bowers for the Guardian 

As a third-generation farmer from Harden in New South Wales, I’ve weathered climate extremes my whole life. It’s simply part of doing business in one of the most variable climates in the world.
The truth is, Australian farmers are good at what they do, and we know when things are changing.
NSW last year was 2 degrees above the baseline average, without an El Niño in sight. This year we’ve already seen 100% of the state drought-declared. The minimal amount of winter crop that has sprouted is sizzling on the stalks or bitten hard by severe -5C frosts. To the north the dams are parched and farmers across the state are close to walking off the land.
It’s not just the farmers, either. In the past five years, my local town, amalgamated against the wishes of the local population, has struggled to keep council staff. We have seen a local bank and a favourite watering hole close. We are about to lose our Landcare facilitator who has been a critical element in natural resource management, sustainable farming and drought support.
We can and must do better.
This is not a “hard-done-by farmer” narrative. We’re tough and we manage our resources carefully, making decisions based upon the best available evidence and always keeping one eye to the future. This is an area with a long history of working with scientists and advisers to be prepared for future agricultural, environmental and economic shocks.
But, the first step to managing for the future is to grapple with reality. And the reality is that our climate is on a devastating trajectory. Much as our politicians like to deny reality, out here – beyond the air-conditioned hallways of parliament – we’re already dealing with increasingly extreme weather as a result of global warming.
So, a message to our elected representatives. Get your heads out of the coalpit and back into the real world. We need meaningful action now; including support for regional communities and funding for Landcare facilitators to be driving up driveways and checking on those whose lives are being destroyed by your failure to take action. We need a good heavy dose of reality injected into Australian politics.
On Monday, my fellow farmers and I will stand outside parliament and rally for our future. A future in which our kids have a chance to farm and our government no longer hides from the truth.
The alternative is simply unthinkable.

*Peter Holding is a mixed cropping and sheep producer with 40 years’ experience on his family farm

Links

• The land falls silent: Australian farmers battle life without rain
• Climate change making drought worse, farmers' federation chief says
• Climate Change Making Drought Worse, Farmers' Federation Chief Says
• 'No Real Appetite': Former Farmers Chief Lashes Ministers Over Climate Link To Drought
• Australia Is Devastated By Drought, Yet It Won't Budge On Climate Change
• Australia Struggles With A Devastating Drought While The Government Ignores Climate Change
• Drought in Australia Turns Farmland to Barren Dustbowl: Heartbreaking Photos
• Great Southern Drought: Australian Farmers Crippled, Climate Action Stalled