Agricultural Sustainability Challenges: Details of Assessments A and B
Introduction
For Tasks A and B, you will be working individually. You will choose a specific aspect of the Challenge that you wish to investigate, or a disciplinary perspective you wish to apply, and you will carry out independent research to deepen your understanding of the issues. There is additional guidance on Page 3 on how to choose an investigation topic.
The intended learning objectives of these task are:
Demonstrate an enhanced understanding of current challenges facing agricultural production systems;
Be able to apply a ‘systems-thinking’ approach to agriculture, and to the sustainability of agricultural production systems;
Be able to gather and interpret evidence, to identify options for addressing problems;
Be able to work effectively with colleagues and other stakeholders;
Demonstrate highly developed communication skills;
Demonstrate an ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects.
Summary of Tasks and Due Dates
Task

A. Research Proposal (500 words)
10% of subject marks

B. Individual Research Report (2,000 words)

• Draft – 15% of subject marks
• Final – 35% of subject marks

The Sustainability Challenges
Challenge 5: Responding to the challenges of climate change
There is now abundant evidence that the global climate is changing, due to greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Agriculture is one of the industries that will be most strongly impacted by climate change over the coming decades, and agriculture is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. How serious are the climate change challenges facing Australian agricultural industries and regions, and what needs to be done in response to these challenges?