This autumn is likely to be 2ºC above average in the place we call home.
The land has dried suddenly to move from a green or flash drought to a serious drought since January.
Some deny that human activity can affect the climate; what you cannot deny is the climate is changing and doing so faster than expected.
This change needs adapting to and building resilience at all levels to cope with.
Our home can remain productive, socially stable, compassionate and capable for many decades to come if we act to reach those goals.
This autumn is a real life experience of the hotter and drier climate predicted for this electorate.
Demand for irrigation water has increased as the extra warmth evaporates quickly what little rain has fallen.
Crops have been planted with no autumn rain to kick them off.
Farmers are clearly in the firing line. It’s simply harder to farm for profit in an unpredictable climate.
The National Party claims to represent farmers yet does not believe a warming climate is a concern.
At a Farmers for Climate Action meeting before being elected in 2022, MP Sam Birrell wanted to change the National Party policy to support net zero by 2050 and further climate action.
The National Party has not adopted this in the 2025 election review despite overwhelming electoral support it.
Mr Birrell should follow Senator Jacinta Yangapi Nampijinpa Price and swap to the Liberals.
A Liberal member for Nicholls can work more effectively for climate action, be better resourced and maybe gain a shadow ministerial position.
The priority is to represent the interests of the community, to be preparing us to cope for the unknown of a changing world.
6°C